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Launch Pad - Venture Capital Edition

Launch Pad takes place on Thursday, April 24 at 1:30pm-2:30pm in the keynote room.

The Opportunity

For 2008, we continue the tradition of Launch Pad at Web 2.0 Expo, but with some important changes, based on a program we test-drove at Web 2.0 Summit in October 2007. While it’s great to be chosen to launch your new company at a major event, the reality of the market is that the majority of successful Web 2.0 companies do more than just launch products. They also have to pass the test of VC scrutiny—that's how the market determines who wins and loses in the world of startups. To that end, VCs and the audience will provide real-time feedback to participating companies.

The New Approach

This VC Edition of Launch Pad has several changes to the previous judging process:

• Entrants do not need to launch their company or a major product/service to qualify.
• All proposals will be reviewed before Web 2.0 Expo by our panel of venture capitalists.
• The judging panel will be comprised of venture capitalists who will review Launch Pad companies as if considering them for funding.
• Judges will select about six finalists, each of whom will have five minutes to pitch on stage, in front of the Web 2.0 Expo audience (the largest gathering of the innovators in the Internet industry) and a panel of some of the VC judges.
• Each company will receive feedback on its presentation in real time, from both the VC judges and the audience.
• The VCs may, at any time, offer these applicants non-binding term sheets for financing.

Participating VCs

• Michael Jung – Panorama Capital
• Maha Ibrahim - Canaan Partners
• David Hornik - August Capital

Launch Pad Finalists - The Chosen Six

These six companies were chosen by a committee of VCs to present on stage at Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco. Each will have five minutes to present their company or product and will receive real-time feedback from a panel of VCs and the audience.

Acquia
Web 2.0 is easy. Just buy a new CMS, a blogging platform, a wiki system, some forum software, a social networking engine and connect it all. OR YOU COULD USE DRUPAL, the open source social publishing system everyone is talking about. Attend the Acquia Launch Pad demo to see Drupal in action.

Chirp Interactive
Chirp Interactive creates solutions that help people stay connected to their friends and derive value from their relationships. Our first product, chirpscreen, transforms your screen saver into an interactive display of content from sites like Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, providing engaging social discovery and sharing.

JobScore
JobScore is a resume sharing network. We empower employers to build their own candidate pipeline and exchange their un-hired resumes for qualified, interested candidates (with the candidate's permission, of course). Come see how you can improve your pipeline by recruiting cooperatively with JobScore.

Oortle
Oortle is focused on real-time enabling the media of existing social networks. It serves the natural desire of consumers to interact in real-time along with shared media. Oortle's "synchronous web" applications, powered by its robust media synchronization engine, span social networks and take user engagement to the next level.

TradeVibes is the easiest way to discover, research, and discuss hot (and not so hot) startup companies. Our community finds cool and interesting startups and adds them to TradeVibes. Come share your opinions, or just come see the ratings, opinions, and discussions about which startup will be the next star...

Triggit
Triggit makes it quick and easy for web publishers to monetize their sites with advertising. Using a cross platform web application, publishers can now drag and drop ad units directly into their pages, optimize efficacy and track the results. Triggit takes the pain out of monetization.

Please contact Janetti Chon for more information on Launch Pad at jchon@cmp.com or 415.947.6255.