Investment & Commercialization Series
co-hosted by
Ag-West Bio
and Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan
2010
January 18th Seminar Review
Disruptive Technology
- presentation by David
Gauthier, CEO Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan
The theme of this seminar was getting disruptive technology to market. Or more specifically – marketing innovative technology during the early start up period; and then ‘Crossing the Chasm’ to the mainstream market. The seminar was held in conjunction with the Innovation Place book club meeting, highlighting the landmark marketing book, Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers or simply Crossing the Chasm (1991, revised 1999), by Geoffrey A. Moore. Presenter David Gauthier, CEO of the Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan, summarized the book and focused on several key points, namely demonstrating the ‘chasm’ that exists in the technology adoption lifecycle. To maximize the potential value from a new technology or product, the entrepreneur needs to carefully map out and sequence various target markets that will be pursued over time. The seminar examined techniques to successfully cross the ‘chasm’, including choosing a target market, understanding the whole product concept, positioning the technology, building a marketing strategy, and choosing an appropriate distribution channel. The seminar closed with a discussion of the concepts in the book led by David Gauthier and Brad Bly, who explained why the concepts are very applicable to biotechnology commercialization.
2009
November 25th Seminar Review
Raising Private Equity
- presentation by Tanner Bradley, Investment Analyst,
Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan
This seminar discussed private
equity and provided insights into how a business can determine if it is
ready to approach a private equity investor. Tanner Bradley explained
different forms of private equity and highlighted the process a business
must go through to successfully attract equity capital – focusing on
venture capital. Statistics and insights were provided to give seminar
attendees a better understanding of the analysis process an equity
investor undertakes, and why these investors seek the terms of
investment often seen in the industry. Venture capital was looked at in
particular, with a demonstration of why and how venture capitalists
mitigate their risk in the process. Attendees learned how and when to
approach an equity investor, and the process they can expect to go
through to ultimately garner the investment. The seminar ended with
Tanner Bradley, David Gauthier and Brad Bly responding to questions from
business owners regarding their particular stage of technology
commercialization.
View
presentation slides
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October 14 Seminar Review
What Investors are Looking For -
Understanding Risk”
- presentation by David
Gauthier, CEO Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan
This seminar discussed what investors are really looking for: the
appropriate amount of return of investment to compensate for the risks
associated with the investment opportunity. Seminar attendees learned
how various investors perceive risk, how to deal with the issue of risk
during the negotiation process, and ways to avoid increasing the
perception of risk regarding their investment opportunity. Along with
this David Gauthier provided insights into the key components of a
technology company’s business plan that are scrutinized most heavily by
potential investors. The seminar discussed effective ways to present
ideas to all types of funders, while identifying the risks in your
company’s plan – while outlining the steps to be taken in mitigating the
risk. The seminar closed with an example of both a bad and an effective
funding pitch.
View
presentation slides
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September 23 Seminar Review
Technology Commercialization &
Strategic Alliances
- presentation by Sanj Singh, President & CEO of
AdeTherapeutics
Developing ‘Strategic Alliances’ is an innovative way of enhancing a
technology's value and facilitating the management of the significant
resources and costs needed to get a technology to market. Julie
Thompson, Industrial Scientist with the Canadian Light Source, welcomed
the seminar participants and highlighted how CLS utilizes Strategic
Alliances in its efforts. Guest presenter Sanj Singh, President & CEO of
AdeTherapeutics, provided insights into why Strategic Alliances are
necessary, along with an introduction on how to develop a Strategic
Alliances strategy. Sanj discussed how AdeTherapeutics is utilizing
Strategic Alliances to keep development costs at a minimum while adding
commercial value in the development and commercialization of its
bio-therapeutic technology.
The more than 60 guests in attendance at the seminar (held at the VIDO
auditorium on the U of S campus) gained a better understanding of why
the development of collaborative partnerships with commercialization and
research partners is essential in reducing costs and filling gaps in a
company’s management and business plan. Being both an educator and an
entrepreneur, Sanj Singh gave a unique perspective and provided several
examples of how AdeTherapeutics developed and used strategic
partnerships to reduce its R&D costs and obtain essential resources and
guidance from advisors and commercialization partners – all aimed
clearly at filling gaps, minimizing costs, and adding credibility and
value to the companies technology.
"Technology Commercialization & Strategic Alliances" was held in
conjunction with National
Biotechnology Week. The seminar concluded with Peter Brenders,
President of BIOTECanada providing the closing remarks and further
outlining the importance of Strategic Alliances. Mr. Brenders also
discussed how organizations like BIOTECanada and Ag-West Bio work to
build the partnerships needed for successful technology
commercialization.
Thank you to the event sponsors:
Canadian Light Source, Novozymes Biologicals
For questions regarding the information presented in this seminar, or
upcoming seminars, please contact
Brad Bly, Ag-West Bio Technology Commercialization Manager at
306-668-2665.
View presentation slides
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August 19 Seminar Review
Commercializing & Protecting Intellectual Property – some guidelines
- presentation by Todd Lahti, MCN Bioproducts
Investment & Commercialization Lunch Series kickoff – an informative Success!
It was standing room only as more than 60 people packed the room for the launch of the Ag-West Bio & Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan “Investment & Commercialization Lunch Series” on August 19th in the Innovation Place Candle & Span rooms.
The topic of the Aug 19th seminar was “Commercializing & Protecting Intellectual Property – some guidelines” with guest speaker Todd Lahti, President & CEO of MCN BioProducts Inc., a Saskatoon based biotechnology company. Mr. Lahti treated attendees with the informative story of MCN’s technology commercialization, with special focus on how IP strategy was essential in the company’s development.
Todd Lahti’s presentation was complemented with a short presentation from Glen Schuler (Managing Director of the U of S Industry Liaison Office) on the role of the ILO and some important points on IP protection; along with Brad Bly (Ag-West Bio Technology Commercialization Manager) and David Gauthier (CEO of Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan) discussing their organizations roles in facilitating technology commercialization in the province.
The seminar closed with Todd Lahti, Glen Schuler, Steve Seiferling (Lawyer with McDougall Gauley), and Susan Gorges (CEO of SpringBoard West Innovations) joining Brad Bly and David Gauthier in answering audience questions - most of which were directed at Todd. Attendees wanted first hand insight from this respected technology entrepreneur, who is leading MCN’s global commercialization process. This kind of direct insight from Industry is precisely what Ag-West Bio aimed to deliver in the seminar – based on input from our members, stakeholders, and companies we work with.
For questions regarding the information presented in this seminar,
or upcoming seminars, please contact
Brad Bly, Ag-West Bio Technology Commercialization Manager at
306-668-2665.
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Upcoming lunch seminars:
Investment & Commercialization Luncheon Series -
Regina
Ag-West Bio, together with the Entrepreneurial Foundation of
Saskatchewan and SAINT -Saskatchewan Angel Investor Network are hosting
a three part Investment & Commercialization Luncheon Series in Regina,
at SpringBoard West Innovations,
120 - 2 Research Drive, Regina.
Click here to register
For more information, please contact:
Brad Bly
Tel: 306-668-2665
or visit: http://www.efsk.ca/component/content/article/275