Jan
17
2012

Corporate Venture Capital: An Entrepreneur’s Perspective

While never a dominant part of the venture capital industry, corporate-sponsored venture capital investors (think for example AOL Ventures) have long been an important part of the industry. Entrepreneurs thinking about seeking venture capital should, preferably at the beginning of the quest, consider whether they want to seek, or will even consider, corporate venture capital
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While never a dominant part of the venture capital industry, corporate-sponsored venture capital investors (think for example AOL Ventures) have long been an important part of the industry. Entrepreneurs thinking about seeking venture capital should, preferably at the beginning of the quest, consider whether they want to seek, or will even consider, corporate venture capital. For some deals, corporate venture capital is a priority; for most it is an option; and for some, it might be a last resort. Herewith, some of the issues to consider.

Corporate Venture Capital as Deal Validation. Generally, the more technology risk a deal has, the more attractive corporate venture money is, all the more so when the expected amount of pre-revenue capital needed and time to market are greater. Corporate venture capital is often a plus, for example, in biopharma deals, where technology risk, capital needs and time to m...Read More

Jan
17
2012

Kestrel to make Superior, WI home of its manufacturing facility and HQ

Gov. Scott Walker and Kestrel Aircraft Corp. officials announced Monday that the aircraft manufacturer plans to make Superior the home of its manufacturing facility and headquarters — a move that will bring about 600 jobs to the area by 2016.


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Reposted from Madison.com

Gov. Scott Walker and Kestrel Aircraft Corp. officials announced Monday that the aircraft manufacturer plans to make Superior the home of its manufacturing facility and headquarters — a move that will bring about 600 jobs to the area by 2016.

The announcement was made at the Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior.

“There were a number of locations that would have worked from a business standpoint,” said Alan Klapmeier, head of Kestrel and co-founder and former chief executive officer of Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft. “It was really just a matter of working with the different communities and getting together the package that was necessary.”

The Superior Telegram reported the economic downturn made it difficult to get the project going.

Kestrel’s website says it makes 6- and 8-person turboprop planes. Its headquarters and manufacturing operations are currently located in Brunswick, Maine. It also has engineering and design offices in Duluth, Minn.

The announcement did not mention how existing locations and employees would be affected. A message left with the company’s spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

The state has committe...Read More

Oct
11
2011

2011 Green Flight Challenge Winner—Pipistrel

AeroInnovate would like to congratulate Team Pipistrel for its win at the Green Flight Challenge!
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AeroInnovate would like to congratulate Team Pipistrel for its  win at the Green Flight Challenge!  The Google Green Flight Challenge Exposition hosted by NASA was held on Monday, October 3rd, 2011.  At this year’s Green Flight Challenge, the largest prize to date of $1.35 million was given to Pipistrel for its ultra-efficient electric plane.

Pipistrel is a Slovenian aviation company that was founded in 1987.  For starting out as making only hang-gliders, this private aircraft producer sure has made electric aviation dreams possible with its continued work and research that could change the future of flight forever.

Team Pipistrel flew its Taurus G4, which is the first fully electric 4-seat aircraft to take flight.  To qualify for the challenge, each competitor needed to be able to fly 200 miles at 100mph in less than 2 hours while using less than 1 gallon of fuel per passenger during the flight. 

The Taurus G4 not only succeeded, but exceeded expectations by completing the flight using only half of a gallon of fuel per passenger!  The future of electronic aircraft is a bright one, and we look forward to seeing what else Pipistrel has in store.
Aug
12
2011

The Vision Rule

Paul Jones, Of Counsel at the Venture Best Practice at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP discusses the value of the entrepreneur's vision.


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The Vision Rule

By: Paul Jones
Venture Best Practice of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

One of the more insidious clichés of the venture capital business is the so-called “golden rule,” to wit that “he who has the gold, rules.” Alas, it’s a rule that too many less experienced entrepreneurs think is, well, golden. It’s not.

The problem with the golden rule is that it is premised on the notion that start-up success is mostly a function of access to capital. Now, when you are sitting in the proverbial garage and running out of money to keep even the lights burning, it is, I suppose, understandable to think that capital is the one indispensable mediator of success. But that is the thinking of ordinary folk. Entrepreneurs are made of sterner stuff – or at least the ones who earn the sobriquet are. Because while capital may be a necessary part of entrepreneurial success, it is not sufficient. Far from it. Ultimately, capital is like fuel in a NASCAR race: something you have to have, and you have...Read More

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