Mind the Bridge CrESIT Coaching

Opening Workshop and Public Forum

October 14th, 2010, 4:30pm-7pm, Free Admission

Almo Collegio Borromeo

Piazza Borromeo, 9

27100 Pavia

Description

Feeling nervous about delivering a compelling business presentation of your idea? Wondering how to engage an audience of potential investors?

Most entrepreneurs, particularly when operating on foreign ground, face the daunting challenge of persuading a demanding audience that their idea is worth funding. Frequently, the interaction with potential investors is fraught with misunderstandings: from cultural differences to technical jargon, a lot can get in the way of a true connection.

Funded by the Cariplo Foundation and the Center for Innovation and Life Science Management (CrESIT) in collaboration with the Centre for International Business and the International Economy (CIBIE), the Mind The Bridge Coaching kicks off with a workshop and public forum designed to address the challenges and opportunities of Italian entrepreneurship while communicating their business idea to venture capital.

This workshop helps participants learn how to turn a business plan into a persuasive pitch, while addressing the skills and mindset needed to engender a productive interaction with a US audience. Drawing from a discussion of how the business world operates in Silicon Valley, it will provide invaluable insights into the psychology and modus operandi of a typical US VC. All participants will gain a better understanding of how to interact with their key constituency, and as a result they will learn what it takes to impress a demanding US audience.

As part of the MtB Business Plan Competitions, the mission of the MtB Coaching is to help participants clarify, create and communicate their entrepreneurial vision into a fundable business plan, and providing them with direct exposure to potential investors from the most experienced, entrepreneurial ecosystem in the world — the Silicon Valley.

The format of the public forum will be intimate and informal. Introduced and moderated by Alberto Onetti, MtB Chairman, Elisabetta Ghisini, founder of Verba International, and Evan Nisselson, seasoned entrepreneur and consultant, will provide their perspectives and experiences, followed by an audience Q&A. Some of the key topics that will be explored:

• What are the main issues in communicating research-based ideas to non-scientists and business people?

• What are the key elements required to drive innovation from the Italian university to industry? What are the major impediments, and how can we accelerate innovation?

• What is the role of venture capital in this process, especially in view of today's post-bubble global economy?

• How quickly to develop clear, compelling business communications?

• How to define a crystal-clear message and deliver it with a memorable style? 

The Program

4.30pm Registration

5.00pm Introduction 

Antonella Zucchella, President, CIBIE, University of Pavia

5.15pm Turning research into business: key issues

Alberto Onetti, Chairman, Mind the Bridge Foundation,        Director, CrESIT, University of Insubria

5.30pm How to communicate your business idea to a       Silicon Valley audience 

Elisabetta Ghisini, MtB Coaching Director

6.15pm Entrepreneurial Stories

Evan Nisselson, Entrepreneur and Consultant 

6.45pm Closing

Guest Speakers

Elisabetta Ghisini, Founder of Verba International

She is a communication consultant with over 20 years of experience  in the corporate world, including McKinsey & Co., and taught communication skills at Stanford University.

Alberto Onetti, Ph.D., Chairman, Mind the Bridge Foundation

He is Professor of Business Administration and Innovation, Department of Economics, Insubria State University, Varese, Lombardia, Director CrESIT Research Centre; and Visiting Professor at San Francisco State University

Antonella Zucchella, Professor of Economics and Management at University of Pavia

President of CIBIE (Centre for International Business and International Economy) research center at University of Pavia and also Visiting Professor at University of Strasbourg.

Her focus is on Internationalization and Innovation Management, moreover she wrote many articles, books and issues.

Evan Nisselson, Entrepreneur & Consultant

Founder, CEO and Chairman of venture backed Digital Railroad, he is an experienced entrepreneur and digital media expert. Presently he is consulting in Europe and in the US with diverse start-ups.