CCTEC held the third annual Boot Camp at the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY on June 4th, 2009. The day featured four panels that took promising entrepreneurs through the process of starting a company. The panel topics included “Everything You Need to Know Before You Take the Leap”, “Organizing the Startup”, “Making the Pitch”, and “Surviving the Hard Times”. Panels included entrepreneurs, investors, economic development representatives, legal/regulatory professionals, and faculty from several Cornell startups. CCTEC staff members acted as moderators for each panel. The discussions were very interactive and audience members had the chance to ask questions and speak one-on-one with panelists after each panel.

Dr. Richard Johnson, a Venture Partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson Mercury, presented during lunch as the keynote speaker. Dr. Johnson discussed his background of originally being a physician and eventually making his way into the venture capital world. He reviewed with the audience the fundamentals of ownership, company worth, and funding. He also provided do’s and don’ts about being an entrepreneur, starting a company, and talking with investors. Dr. Johnson has started seven highly successful companies in his career and had valuable information to share.

The event culminated with a networking cocktail reception held in the atrium of the East Hill Office Building. It was a great opportunity for attendees to network and connect with fellow entrepreneurs.

• To view the program from Boot Camp Spring 2009, please click here.
• To view the Boot Camp Spring 2009 photo gallery, please click here.