as a part of seminar series
"Silicon Valley Best Practices. Kiev Master Classes" 
October 20, 2007
Citi.com, Kiev

BayView Innovations continues its exclusive venture business seminar series, and invites you to a meeting with Stas Khirman - co-founder of Skyrider company.

Prior to founding Skyrider, Mr. Khirman founded Narus, a global leader in software and technology for the telecom industry and government agencies, where he helped designed the world`s most scalable network transaction analysis system. Mr. Khirman had previously served as the networking group leader at VDOnet, a pioneer in internet video.

Mr. Khirman brings more than 20 years of experience in the software industry as an architect, manager, visionary, and inventor; he was behind the development of a number of standards organizations and participated in the early definition of the VoIP protocol. Mr. Khirman holds a Master`s degree in Mathematics from the University of Kiev.

In this master class, Stas Khirman shares his personal experience of founding and setting up software startup companies in the Silicon Valley (CA). This presentation reflects technologist (CTO) viewpoint on mostly business-oriented problems of starting up your own high-tech business, defining and achieving business and technological goals.
Stas will generously offer to learn from his personal and professional mistakes and failures, and advise how to avoid well known and hidden pitfalls.

This seminar is to be held in open interactive discussion format.

SCHEDULE

9:30-10:15 Session 1:Idea and Technologies

You have an idea? You think that it will be the next Google? How technologist can evaluate market value of his idea? How to evaluate technical feasibility of your idea? How to look for potential competitors and partners?

10:15 – 10:45  Session 2: Founding and Funding

Setting up your own business in California is a very simple task – you can do it online in 10 minuntes. The trick is to set up a successful business. You will need a lot of personal courage and external help. The first help you need is – MONEY. As a classic said: “Do not teach me how to live, just help me with the money”

Session Key Topics:

• How to seduce Venture Capital?
• What is a general venture funding process?
• How to increase your chances in getting funded

11:15 – 12:00 Session 3. Execution of the business plan

Congratulations! You’ve got VC money! Tired? Need a rest? Forget about it!

The game has just started! And it is YOUR responsibility to make your team a winning one…

Session Key Topics:

• Why the original business plan is intended to fail?
• Why the original technology is intended to stay?
• What is the CTO’s role in different stages of company life?

12:00 – 12:45 Session 4: How to get early customers.

Sales? I’m a technologist, engineer, researcher... whomever else... but not a salesperson… Am I?

How can I get early customers for our “quick and dirty” product? How can I help sales department?

Session Key Topics:

• Why CTO is a better “seller” than VP of sales? Sales know HOW to sell, but CTO knows WHAT to sell
• Trust factor – early customers are “technology geeks”, they’d rather buy from “geek
• Playing a “big game” – how to dance with an elephant. How to get into successful and profitable partnership with large companies
• Using early customers as a “guinea pigs” – “designed by customer” products

Seminar partners: 
Capital Strategy consulting company, project http://www.developers.org.ua/, IT Ukraine association, Mobile Monday community, Technobridge international fund.

PARTICIPATION:

1. Master Class
   • Prior registration on http://www.bayviewinnovations.com/en/registration/071020SKh
     
   • Reservation of seating in the VIP zone is available for 500 UAH fee.

   Notice: Seating will be limited - non-registered participants may be refused admittance.

2. Press section: only for accredited press   

You can get the additional information by phone  +380442238182 or  +380442298182, or by e-mail reg@bayviewinnovations.com.