SVASE, The Silicon Valley Association of Software Entrepreneurs

November Dinner Monthly Meeting

Nov.4th - The Sunnyvale Hilton - Register at http://www.svase.org/

E-commerce and Internet business had a dramatic rate of growth last year of over a hundred and seventy percent -- accounting for perhaps a third of the growth of the overall economy and revolutionizing business. E-commerce is also redefining how artists, designers, writers, architects and other creative people do business as it re-enables creative endeavor itself. Not only are there new ways to profit from creative expression, the web's technology offers new business models, new tools, and new ways for expression. Enhancement of human creative potential through the web is freshly appealing and venture initiative is pressing this hopeful spirit forward as investors fund myriad creative projects. Some of these projects enhance existing media. Some are completely new.

In November, SVASE delves into this New Business of Creativity. Our panel is composed of senior management and investors leading new business activities with a highly creative dimension.

Among the questions being considered by the panelists are,

With respect to the industries built upon creative endeavor, what are the most viable business models? Do these same models apply in cyber-creative endeavors?

Which e-commerce business models give greater ownership to artists?

Does subscription software, content, and services make for business models favorable to artists?

Which initiatives straddle the division between all on-line business and brick and mortar business?

Are there ways in which the Internet or e-commerce have benefited artistic activities and enhanced traditional media?

Are there issues unique to artistic and creative pursuits within the e-commerce arena?

---

Panelists:

John Van Dyke - Member of the Band of Angels and Co-founder of The University of Chicago Tech-Venture Club, noted participant in 60 Silicon Valley start-up companies, CEO, art collector.

Myrna Nickelsen - CEO, NextMonet

"Myrna's sixteen years of experience in marketing include positions as vice president of marketing for both Portrait Displays, the developer of PivotŪ software and Orchid Technology, a PC graphics hardware manufacturer. She also operated Nickelsen Communications which provided marketing and public relations consulting for high-tech clients such as Radius, Jazz Multimedia, Tseng Labs, Miro Computer Products, YNot.com, Link Technologies, Common Ground Software, and Digital Arts & Sciences."

Michael Rubin - CEO, Petroglyph

Prior to founding Petroglyph, Michael was an entertainment-technology developer and entrepreneur, having lectured on media internationally, and written and published three books (his first at age 18), including a text on computerized film/video post production. Michael has worked in the start-up of high-tech companies, beginning his career at the Lucas film Computer Division and later as employee #3 at Sonic Solutions. He is also an accomplished editor, having worked on television (e.g. "Lonesome Dove") and feature films (e.g. The Sheltering Sky). He has been involved with the desktop publishing and video revolutions of the past 20 years. He has an Sc.B. in Neural Sciences from Brown University.

Kamala Appel - CEO, ReelRap

"Despite her fear of becoming a starving artist, Kamala decided to pursue a career in film (originally as an editor). She started by receiving a BA from Yale in American Studies and Film Studies, and an MA from USC's School of Cinema Television. She has also worked in various aspects of the film industry: the corporate end at Universal and ICM; production as a PA and editor; non-profit film festivals including, Sundance, Mill Valley, and the National Asian American Telecommunications Arts; and education teaching video production to children. Kamala founded ReelRap.com to help filmmakers understand how the Internet will become the great equalizer."

Steven Lapper- CEO, eArtGroup

As a veteran fine art collector and advisor to emerging artists, Steven brings both an arts and business perspective to eArtGroup. His background includes founding a successful derivatives arbitrage company and memberships on all the major Options & Futures Exchanges. He has an undergraduate degree from George Washington University and has done post-graduate work at the Wharton School. The eArtGroup.com is launching a web-based business aggregating top-tiered galleries and dealers and artists to create a single source of inventory, information, advice and direction for the art collector. eArtGroup is the Lead Dealer Network Manager for paintings, sculpture, prints & multiples and photography categories on eBay's new "Great Collections" auction market.

A Surprise Last Panelist

Moderator:

Natalie H. Vania - Founder, Arshiya Ventures, Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellow, Past Stanford faculty, Silicon Valley Venture Enthusiast.

---