SVASE and KMVT Channel 15 Community Television to Launch 'Silicon Valley Entrepreneur,' a New Monthly Series Focused on Startup Stories

SVASE and KMVT Channel 15 Community Television to Launch 'Silicon Valley Entrepreneur,' a New Monthly Series Focused on Startup Stories

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs (SVASE) today announced it has joined forces with Silicon Valley community television station KMVT Channel 15 to produce Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, a new series focused on emerging tech companies, their investors and partnering companies in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. The series will air every Tuesday at 9:00p.m., beginning April 1, 2008.

KMVT is a nonprofit organization providing local television programming to those who live and work in Mountain View, Los Altos and Cupertino, California. "We are thrilled to be working with SVASE to share the stories, ideas and information about one of the Valley's favorite topics: entrepreneurs," said Mike Harris, Producer of the show.

"Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs to achieve their visions by introducing them to best practices, extraordinary people and growth opportunities. The Silicon Valley Entrepreneur series will shine a light on the most interesting startups we can find and give them the opportunity to share their trials, tribulations and successes with other entrepreneurs," said Chris Gill, SVASE President & CEO. "We applaud KMVT for providing us with a great platform for these stories."

The first startup featured on the Silicon Valley Entrepreneur TV series will be Liftopia.com, a San Francisco-based startup that is the nation's first online marketplace for discounted ski lift tickets and alpine resort activities. The company recently received funding from Sand Hill Angels and Erik Blachford, former President and CEO of Expedia. Liftopia.com founders Evan Reece and Ron Schneidermann will appear with lead investor Jim Connor of Sand Hill Angels.

"Liftopia is one of five startups associated with SVASE that have already raised a total of $40 million to-date in the first quarter of 2008," Gill note. "That's a testament to the effectiveness of SVASE programs."

SVASE, the largest and fastest growing nonprofit association in Northern California, is dedicated exclusively to helping early stage entrepreneurs across all technology sectors build successful companies. In addition to a myriad of web-based services it offers entrepreneurs, SVASE hosts 10-12 events each month, attended by 400-600 entrepreneurs, investors, technology companies and press. Its flagship event is Launch: Silicon Valley, a premier venue for emerging technology companies to present new products and services, generate buzz and network with the some of the most influential people in the Valley. The event draws several hundred VCs, angel investors, corporate business development executives, prospective customers and partners, media and bloggers.

LAUNCH: Silicon Valley 2008

Launch: Silicon Valley 2008 will be held June 10, 2008 and will highlight up to 30 young technology companies in information technology, mobility, security, digital media, next generation internet, life sciences and clean tech. Culminating the event again this year will be the selection "the most promising" companies in each category. Five of the participating companies raised a combined $30-plus million by the close of 2007.

Companies interested in presenting their products at Launch: Silicon Valley 2008 should send an Executive Summary of no more than two pages to Launchsv@svase.org by May 9, 2008. Companies must have a product or service available as of June 10, 2008, but cannot be introduced in the marketplace for more than a few months prior to the event.

Selected companies will be invited to present on stage for 10 minutes during Launch: Silicon Valley 2008. In addition, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with members of the audience one-on-one between general sessions and during a June 9 pre-conference networking party. The registration fee for presenting companies will be $625 for SVASE Members, and $750 for non-Members. (Note: SVASE annual individual membership is $99.)

For audience members, check out the special Early Bird registration at http://www.launchsiliconvalley.org/

The event is co-presented by Garage and Microsoft. Other sponsors currently include Draper Fisher Jurvetson, the Band of Angels, Sand Hill Angels, the Angels Forum, Cooley Godward Kronish, Townsend and Townsend and Crew, and White & Case.

For further information and detailed agenda please go to http://www.launchsiliconvalley.org/.

About SVASE

Founded in 1995 by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs (SVASE) is the largest and fastest growing nonprofit in Northern California dedicated exclusively to helping technology and life science entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses.

SVASE provides support and resources for entrepreneurs, from the idea through initial rounds of funding to product launch, delivered at 12 monthly events and a continually evolving web site. For more information about SVASE, please visit http://www.svase.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: SVASE, The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs

CONTACT: Betty Taylor, +1-408-918-9082, Bettyt@krause-taylor.com, for
SVASE, The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs

Web Site:

http://www.launchsiliconvalley.org/
http://www.svase.org/

-------
Profile: intent