Startup Masterclass: behind the scenes with VCs and venture-backed startups January 23, 2012

The decision of taking your startup from early-stage to venture-backed will change the dynamics of pretty much everything in your company. How do you decide when you’re ready to seek investment? How do you make the most of your time with prospective investors? What can you start preparing for the transition? How can you work most effectively with the new board members joining your startup? When is the time to start thinking about an exit?

These are all difficult questions that only seasoned investors and entrepreneurs who have seen the day-to-day reality of life in a venture-backed startup can help you start thinking about. This Masterclass brings together practical advice on what you should be considering every step of the way and provide you with case studies of venture-backed startups which have been particularly successful.

This Masterclass is aimed at startup founders and to-be founders who are considering approaching investors as well as those who are already venture-backed and looking for real-life insights into growing their startup towards high valuation.

Agenda

6:00pm Doors open

6:15pm Alan Wallace, Octopus Ventures

7:00pm Andrey Kessel
Case study: getting to a $1bn startup
Andrey will present the story of Solexa, a DNA sequencing company that achieved huge success as a business and raised significant amounts of cash in the process. Andrey will tell "behind the scenes" story of how this tremendous company came to achieve a valuation of over $1bn.

7:45pm TBC

8:30pm Networking & drinks
About the speakers

Alan Wallace, Investment Director, Octopus Ventures

Alan focuses on sourcing deal flow, evaluating and assessing potential investee companies and portfolio management. He has represented Octopus on the boards of True Knowledge, LoveFilm, Zoopla, Steribottle, and PrismaStar.

Prior to joining Octopus, he held senior marketing and general management positions at Sara Lee UK Ltd, Rank Hovis McDougall, and Cambridge Nutrition Holdings Ltd. He was also managing director of Dairy Crest and Premier Brands (Hillsdown) and Market Planning Director for GUS. He has over fifteen years' general management experience.

Alan has a PhD in Management Science from Manchester University and graduated with a BA in Economics from Liverpool University.

Andrey Kessel, Entrepreneur and Investor

Andrey's experience is a combination of investing into and working in startups. He is currently spending his time working with early stage companies, venture funds, incubators or interesting venture opportunities. Previously, during his time with Amadeus Capital Partners, one of blue-chip venture funds, Andrey has worked as an investor and Board member with a number of investments, mergers, exits, company development, etc. Prior to Amadeus, Andrey gained substantial operational experience in technology start-ups, which covered most aspects of establishing and running a business, business development, managing offices, teams or projects.

Andrey co-founded several startups and is a shareholder and/or advisor of several companies and investment funds.

Official Website: http://www.meetup.com/london-silicon-roundabout/events/47490092/