Santa Clara, CA
-- February 1, 2001 -- Silicon Valley Bank, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Silicon Valley Bancshares, will be a sponsor of
and contributor to Springboard 2001: Silicon Valley, a
conference serving as a showcase for women-led startups seeking
first-, second- and third-round investments. The conference
will be Thursday, February 1, 2001, at the Oracle Conference
Center at 350 Oracle Parkway in Redwood Shores, Calif.
Springboard 2001 is co-hosted by the Forum for
Woman Entrepreneurs (FWE), an entrepreneurial organization for
women building and leading high-growth technology and life
sciences companies, and the National Woman's Business
Council.
"Our first event, Springboard 2000, was an
unprecedented success for us," says Denise Brosseau, CEO and
co-founder of FWE. "From a pool of more than 350 applicants, 26
highly-qualified candidates were chosen to present their
business plans to over 300 accredited investors, partners and
sponsors. These women-led businesses have collectively raised
more than $260 million in venture capital since the event,
reflecting the tremendous strength of the companies
involved."
Four employees from co-sponsor Silicon Valley
Bank (Barbara Kamm, Heather Hamilton, Diane Thompson and Terri
Auwaerter) have been involved in the preparation for
Springboard 2001: Silicon Valley. The Bank's employees
initially screened the applicants, interviewed the second round
finalists, coached the business plan presentations, will judge
the "dry run" rehearsal and will observe the presentations the
day of the event.
"This event is important because it reflects
the Bank's commitment to helping women obtain venture capital
funding and grow their high-tech businesses," said Barbara
Kamm, executive vice president of Silicon Valley Bank, and
member of the National Board of FWE. "Women-founded or owned
businesses get only 5 - 6 percent of total venture capital
funding, mainly because they don't have the contacts or the
experience to attract venture investment."
For more details on Springboard 2001: Silicon
Valley, or to register to attend, go to
www.springboard2000.org.
About Silicon Valley Bank
Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and
middle market companies in targeted niches, focusing on
technology and life sciences, while also addressing other
specific industries in which it can provide a higher level of
service and better manage credit through specialization and
focus.
The Bank operates throughout the Silicon Valley: Santa
Clara, Palo Alto and Sand Hill, the center of the venture
capital community in California. Other regional offices within
California include: Irvine, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, San
Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Sonoma. Office
locations outside of California include: Phoenix, Arizona;
Boulder, Colorado; West Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia;
Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Durham, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon;
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas;
Northern Virginia; and Seattle, Washington.
SVB Contact:
Andrea McGhee, (408) 654-3078, amcghee@svbank.com.