Launch Pad 3.0 - Venture Capital Edition

See which companies were chosen to present this year

The Opportunity
At this year's Web 2.0 Summit, we are evolving Launch Pad a bit. While it’s great to be chosen to launch your new company at a conference like Web 2.0 Summit, the reality of the market is that the majority of successful Web 2.0 companies do more than just launch products. They also often pass the test of VC scrutiny— that's how the market determines who wins and loses in the world of startups. To that end, this year there is no fee for companies involved, instead, the VCs are sponsoring the program.

The New Approach
This VC Edition of Launch Pad has several adjustments to the typical judging process:

• The judging panel will be comprised of six venture capitalists who will review Launch Pad companies as if considering them for funding.
• Judges will select up to eight finalists, that will be given ten minutes each, to pitch themselves on stage, in front of the entire Web 2.0 Summit audience and the VC judging panel.
• Each company will be provided feedback on its presentation in real time, by both the VC judges and the audience.
• The VCs may, at any time, offer these applicants non-binding term sheets for financing.

Entrants no longer need to launch their company or major product/service to qualify. Instead, those that apply will be reviewed by our panel of venture capitalists. If they make the first cut, they will pitch their company in front of the Web 2.0 Summit audience – the top executives, financiers, press, and analysts in the Internet industry. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote, along with the VC panel.

Participating VCs
Chris Albinson and Mike Jung - Panorama/JP Morgan
Mark Jacobsen - O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures
Michael Skok / Dayna Grayson - North Bridge Venture Partners
Jim Lussier - Norwest Venture Partners

Launch Pad Finalists - The Chosen Six

These six companies were chosen by a panel of VCs to present on stage at Web 2.0 Summit. Each one presented their company and were voted on by the audience.

Cleverset - Todd Humphrey (Best in Show & Most Likely to Exit First)
G.ho.st - Zvi Schreiber (Best Presentation)
Realius - Chuck Teller (Most Creative Idea)
ClickForensics - Tom Cuthbert
Tripit - Gregg Brockway
Spiceworks - Jay Hallberg

Terms and Conditions

• All entries are free of charge and are kept strictly confidential, to be reviewed only by Launch Pad staff and VCs.
• VCs may offer terms to those applicants they deem consistent with their investment approach and requirements, but there is no requirement to do so.
• VCs can have multiple judges assigned to the review process, but are allowed only one panelist at the Launch Pad presentation.
• Every VC has the right to review every applicant, but the obligation is to review only one-sixth of them. The applications will be sorted and administered by the Launch Pad producers and delivered to the VC judges.
• If a term sheet is offered and accepted prior to the event, all parties agree not to announce until Web 2.0 Summit in October.
• All VCs on the panel are equal – they are sponsors and are on stage on the panel discussing their decisions. No one is more advantaged (weighted) than another.
• The entire process will be covered under a mutual NDA to protect all parties.
• All participants agree to appear onstage during the Launch Pad session, to present their company as if pitching for funding.

Submissions for Launch Pad are now closed. Stay tuned to see which companies are chosen to present at Web 2.0 Summit. Launch Pad will happen Thursday, October 18 at 5:00pm.

Previous Launch Pad Participants:

Launch Pad Sponsors: