ANZA Technology Network | March 2007 Newsletter

From the CEO

I’m pleased to announce the launch of our 2007 Gateway to the US Program. This is the sixth year we’ve offered this educational and promotional opportunity to innovative Australian and New Zealand companies, and it’s my intention to make it the best opportunity yet.

The Gateway to the US is ANZA’s premier program—it’s a 3-month journey for Australian and New Zealand CEOs, senior executives, innovators and entrepreneurs that begins with a FocUS Marketing Workshop in a city near you and culminates in a 3-day summit in Silicon Valley. Along the way, ANZA matches you with a US-based mentor with experience and connections in your industry sector who will help you design a strategy that will play to a US audience looking to assist, partner and invest in the best technology and biotechnology ideas and innovations Australia and New Zealand have to offer.

Over 200 companies have come through the Gateway to the US Program. Each has been provided with the advantage of our successful US market entry strategy:

Education + Promotion = An Informed Decision About Entering the US Market

I sincerely hope that if you haven’t taken part in our Gateway to the US Program yet, that this will be the year that you do. There is simply no better—and more affordable—opportunity available to innovative Australian and New Zealand companies than this 3-month intensive package, which includes:

mentoring
marketing strategy and analysis
financial, legal and media advice
US business standards and culture discussion
access to the 5,000+ member ANZA network
presentation coaching to refine your company pitch for a US audience
showcase platform in front of US executives, entrepreneurs and investors

The Gateway to the US Program is a must for any innovative Australian or New Zealand company considering doing business in the world’s largest market. It epitomizes our core message:

If the US market is where you want to be, ANZA is the place to start.

Register today!

Viki Forrest, CEO

Fast Track to the US

» Upcoming Victorian Briefing and Intake Sessions

On the back of our successful Victorian Fast Track to the US Summit held at Silicon Valley’s PlugandPlay Tech Center last month, ANZA is gearing up for our third and final intake round for innovative Victorian-based companies into the Fast Track.

ANZA CEO Viki Forrest will be in Melbourne July 11-13 to offer free Briefing Sessions for Victorian technology and biotechnology companies interested in finding out more about this comprehensive 15-month program that provides you and your company with a clear path to US export success while reducing costs and risks. Click here to register for this final opportunity to take part in the Victorian Fast Track to the US today.

The Fast Track to the US is designed for companies with strong, global potential—many have already made inroads into the US, but want an absolute breakthrough. The Fast Track and ANZA’s first-class mentors help committed companies capitalize on existing connections and move in new and more lucrative directions.

If you are looking to secure funding, find partners and/or gain a foothold in the US marketplace at an accelerated pace, the Fast Track to the US program will work with you to accomplish these goals. Participation in the program matches you with a mentor with critical expertise and connections in your particular market sector, enabling you to navigate some challenging US business terrain at a top—yet safe—speed in line with your needs, plans and potential.

ANZA is currently running a Fast Track to the US exclusive to Victorian innovative companies. This third intake round will be the final opportunity for Victorian companies at this time. We are also in the process of rolling out Fast Track programs for other Australian states and New Zealand enterprises. Interested Victorian companies should click here; others should contact Viki Forrest at viki@anzatechnet.com today.

» Fast Track to the US Success Stories

As we launch our final intake round for the Victorian Fast Track to the US Program, we’re pleased to share some positive feedback from our first and second round participants. In April, two Melbourne-based companies, Exinda Networks and Synetek Systems, closed funding rounds in record time—just 6 months into the program. The CEOs and founders of both companies, along with their mentors, recently went on media record talking about the value the Fast Track to the US Program has bought to their US business expansion goals.

The PlugandPlay Tech Center in Silicon Valley again provided their office space and event facility for an ANZA Summit, this time playing host to our second round of Victorian Fast Track to the US companies. The 3-day Summit was an intensive immersion into US business practices and culture presented in a series of informal workshops on market entry challenges, participation in our FocUS Marketing Workshop and roundtable discussions with corporate, employment and immigration attorneys and a group of venture capitalists.

Participating companies included: Advertiles, Aruspex, Earth Systems Technologies, Iatia, OBS, and Red Wahoo. The event culminated with the traditional ANZA closing cocktail party bash on the PlugandPlay balcony—where the participants relaxed and spoke freely about their Fast Track to the US experience so far.

“It was an excellent learning experience…it produces a level of confidence that removes some of the doubts that sitting over in Australia, you’ll never overcome.”
—John Allison, Advertiles

“Working with our mentor we’re finding out how to break into the market, who we should be talking to, what it is we’re actually selling to people….”
—Charles Laycock, Iatia

“The FocUS Marketing Workshop was great for us. It was fabulous! We got a lot of value out of Dan and Chris. We also got a lot of value out of the venture capital session.”
—Stacy Chapman and Tess Walton, Aruspex

“Overall, it’s been terrific. Specifically, the robustness of the discussions, which reflects an openness of each of the companies to participate and also the presenters.”
—Russ Wood, Earth Systems Technologies

“The sessions we had around the legal—they answered questions that we’ve been thinking [about] for the last two or three years. They answered questions for us that we’ve been waiting to hear.”
—Brett Campbell, OBS

“The environment has enabled people to communicate, to flourish, to share ideas—it’s been very open—and very refreshing. It’s good for me to hear the challenges that other companies are facing because I don’t feel so alone.”
—George Polus, Red Wahoo

George Polus also scored big within just 48 hours of arriving at the Fast Track Summit. “After two days of being at the ANZA Fast Track Summit, we got a result that I never would have gotten had I not been here—a meeting at Intuit in the US!” Congratulations, George! Now, that’s what we call Fast Tracking!

News Roundup

» The Steve and Bill Show

It’s the event everyone with an interest in the technology world is talking about. The joint on-stage interview with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates at the recent D: All Things Digital Conference on May 30. Read the recap at http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_6025485

» The Low-Fat Milk Cow

And…just in case you’ve spent the past week unwired, a New Zealand biotech company has found a milk cow with a genetic mutation that provides low-fat milk naturally. How long ‘til it's bottled and on a supermarket shelf near you? Find out here: http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/12543/1066/

Announcements & Opportunities

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT—Senior Consultant (San Francisco). MitchelLake Consulting, a well-established specialist executive recruitment agency focused on the early stage technology market in Australia, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, seeks a talented individual that can demonstrate an outstanding history of identifying and qualifying executive, specialist talent for innovative and dynamic technology businesses. We are seeking to expand internationally. Initially this role will be focused on assisting a number of our existing clients establish their operations in the US. Typically these clients are equity-backed, IP-driven startups looking to leverage your network in the Bay Area and beyond. For the successful applicant, we offer an opportunity to join a truly exceptional brand and culture. MitchelLake provides above-market incentive programs and remuneration packages. Send CV to Phaedon Stough, phaedon@mitchellake.com or call directly on +61 2 8292 9100 to talk more about the role.

TRAVEL ALERT—Due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the consular section at the US Consulate General in Sydney http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/apec.html will need to substantially reduce routine visa, immigration, passport, and notary services in Sydney from mid-July to mid-September 2007 and in Melbourne http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/apec-melb.html from August 20 to September 11, 2007, with closure for all routine services anticipated during the end of August and first week of September. It is strongly encouraged that those requiring a visa for travel to the US this year apply as early as possible. Both Sydney and Melbourne have increased the number of visa interview appointments available before the closure, effective immediately.

SPONSOR AIRLINE—Air New Zealand has deals from the US to Australia and New Zealand. Also, check out flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland to San Francisco at http://www.airnewzealand.com.

ADVERTISEMENT—10% discount for ANZA Tech Members! -- txtlgl(TM) combines qualified lawyers from Australia and the USA with an advanced SMS software platform to deliver the best legal advice to clients on their mobile and cell phones. Go to http://www.jdrlegal.com.au/txtlgl/ ENTER THIS CODE: ANZATXT91 for your 10% discount.

ANZA Events Calendar

JULY 2007 – Gateway to the US 2007 Program Launch. Come find out more about ANZA’s premier 3-month US market strategy program. Free briefing sessions in July to be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Register today.

JULY 11-12, 2007 – Melbourne, VIC. Free Briefing Sessions for the Victorian Fast Track Program. Victorian companies should mark their calendars to take part in these events to prepare them for Phase One of the Fast Track program, to be held in Melbourne in August. To register, click here [Victorian companies only].

AUGUST 1-AUGUST 7, 2007 – Melbourne, VIC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Freshwater Place Level 19, 2 Southbank Boulevard. Phase One of the Victorian Fast Track program. Victorian tech and biotech companies make presentations to ANZA executives and mentors for acceptance into the Fast Track Program. To register, click here.

AUGUST 7, 2007 – Melbourne, VIC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Freshwater Place, Level 19, 2 Southbank Boulevard. VIP Cocktail Reception for Victorian Fast Track companies.

AUGUST 21-31, 2007 – Australia/New Zealand. FocUS Marketing Workshops, prerequisite for Gateway to the US. Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. Click here to register.

OCTOBER 22-24, 2007 – Silicon Valley, USA. Gateway to the US Summit. Details are in this newsletter!

DECEMBER 3-5, 2007 – Silicon Valley, USA. Fast Track Summit for third round of Victorian Phase Two companies. Three days of business forums, workshops and networking with additional time for pre-arranged, individual business meetings.

Other Events

JUNE 20, 2007 – GIVE ME THE MONEY! – Grants & Finance for New Opportunities. Melbourne, VIC. 1 – 2 pm. Presented in conjunction with guest speakers, this FREE seminar advises you on the grants and programs that can assist you finance your idea. It also covers what investors are looking for and how to 'pitch' your idea. Bookings essential. Contact info@innovic.com.au or go to www.innovic.com.au.

JUNE 25-26, 2007 - ReMIX AUSTRALIA 2007. Melbourne, VIC. Don't miss this two-day event to help you rethink what you can create for the web and how. Choose from over 20 sessions hosted by leading industry heavyweights. $140 - numbers strictly limited. http://www.microsoft.com/australia/remix07/.

JULY 25 & AUGUST 30, 2007 – VC CONNECT. Canberra & Adelaide. Australia's leading Venture Capital firms dedicated to investing in early-stage technology companies and successful entrepreneurs will share their experiences of how venture capital works. http://www.slatteryit.com.au/vcconnect2007/.

AUGUST 28-29, 2007 – INNOFUTURE 2007 – Australia’s own world-class business innovation conference. Melbourne, VIC. Designed for visionary CEOs, business strategists, brand builders, R&D managers, engineers, and marketing execs seeking a competitive advantage through innovation. Register today at http://innofuture.com.au/.

SEPTEMBER 22-23, 2007 – AUSTRALIA BY THE BAY. San Francisco, CA. The Bay Area's first annual festival devoted to unique wine, food, culture, fashion, music, sports and travel destinations of the Australian continent. http://www.australiabythebay.com/.

FOR MORE INFO

ANZA Technology Network
www.anzatechnet.com
Viki Forrest
CEO

Office: 415-309-7068
viki@anzatechnet.com