ANZA Gateway to the U.S.
Conference Highlights

ANZA kick-starts US market entry with
valuable connections and insider-tips say tech execs

The ANZA Gateway to the US Conference was held over 3 days in late October at Silicon Valley’s newest incubator facility Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale.

The first day of the conference was a ‘closed’ day where companies were put through their paces prior to delivering their pitch. This year ANZA brought in Dan Sapp, a leading executive coach in Silicon Valley to work with the company executives on their presentation skills.

“PlugAndPlay was a perfect venue, helping to infuse the buzz of Silicon Valley into the conference. The business incubator setting was ideal for networking opportunities with other startups and gave a real look into the local culture of entrepreneurship … The highlight was the business presentation coaching from Dan Sapp. I’ve never had anyone work with me on my presentation skills to that level of detail and success before. Lots of people were saying that if that’s all they got out of ANZA it would be enough!” David Evans, CEO, In The Chair

The caliber of company and maturity of the executives at this year’s ANZA conference was obvious in their impressive pitches. The indicators were more subtle in the business forums and keynotes where the participant’s insightful questioning of the panelists and speakers demonstrated their awareness and preparedness for the US market. Each panel discussion ended with the audience ‘storming’ the stage to grab their one-on-one time with each panelist. Business cards were exchanged and meetings were set up.

“The best way to describe Gateway 2006 was “intimate”. As a result, the companies had ample opportunity for one-on-one discussions with panelists and consummate valley net-workers. I saw more than one company approached by two or three VCs right after the pitch session. Entering the US market is a process, not an event, but I suspect that your event has kicked-off some success stories.” Paul Fox, Managing Director, Foley Fox & Associates [ANZA mentor]

20 companies attended this year’s conference with 14 delivering their company pitch to a Silicon Valley audience of investors, entrepreneurs and executives. More so than in any previous ANZA conference, the presenters walked away from the 3-day conference with a string of back-to-back meetings in the Bay Area and beyond.

“The Summit was an extremely beneficial exercise for us at TAG Technology. Following on from our presentation, we are in detailed discussions with several relevant and significant VC's and also managed to arrange follow up meetings with two potential commercialisation partners as well.” David Forder, CEO, TAG Technology

“I got approached by 2 VC’s after the pitch. We are still discussing the possibilities but the relationships are advancing well. They are both very interested in investing in our business.” Frank Grasso, Director, Dynamic Creative

Cinesync, who won ANZA’s Guy Manson Award as the ‘hottest company at ANZA’ headed off to Los Angeles for a series of meetings following the conference. Their technology is a great example of the innovation coming out of Australia and New Zealand to the US. They have a list of world class customers in their space and a laser sharp focus on their US market opportunity. Their award is US$4,000 towards entry into the ANZA Fast Track program; an exclusive program being offered to selected ‘graduates’ of the ANZA Gateway Program.

Austrade’s David Lawson and Michelle Pflaum join ANZA CEO, Viki Forrest in congratulating Guy Manson award winners Clint Walker and Jeremy Pollard of cineSync

“The forum you have provided, and the efforts expended to provide such great opportunities have the potential to shape our company beyond anything we realised before the fact … We're a lot better positioned to make our company a success both in the US and the world as a result.” Clint Walker, CEO, cineSync

For more information on ANZA’s programs please contact Viki Forrest viki@anzatechnet.com.