VentureWire Tech Showcase 2010

Venture capitalists likely will invest in some 2,500 companies in 2010. In a perfect world, every one of those companies will become successful and either go public or be acquired at a high price. The reality, however, is far different. Many will fold. Some will take years to gain traction and others will be acquired for a small price.

At the end of the day, only a small number will generate the returns that VCs and their limited partners seek. But, why do things play out like this? What allows a start-up to rise above the others and become a truly great company? Having a disruptive product or service is obviously important, but what are the other factors that may lead the company to become a success, and in turn, attract the interest of corporate acquirers and maybe even public investors?

The third annual VentureWire Technology Showcase will bring together venture capitalists, angels, investment bankers, analysts and some of the most promising start-ups to discuss what it takes to create companies capable of generating the returns that VCs so badly need. The event will look at the most promising investment sectors within technology, the outlook for liquidity and the issues that both VCs and companies need to spend more time on in building companies.

It will also feature presentations by more than 50 companies that are either disrupting the marketplace or show promise of doing so in the not-so-distant future. And once again, the event will also include the Wall Street Journal's Technology Innovation Awards.