Xconomy’s VC65: Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Venture Capital in America

Venture Capital in America: 65 Years of Funding Entrepreneurs and Innovation

The venture capital industry in the United States was born as a professional activity in June of 1946 with the formation of American Research and Development in Boston by Harvard Business School professor General Georges Doriot. Since then, the industry has funded innovation and enterprise development in a wide range of fields across the U.S., propelling growth in the economy, creating entirely new industries, and helping the country lead the world in economic competitiveness.

To celebrate the venture field and the outstanding entrepreneurs that VCs have funded and supported, Xconomy, in partnership with the National Venture Capital Association and the MIT Museum, is convening a conference marking the 65th anniversary of the industry. Held in concert with the NVCA’s annual meeting in Boston, VC65 will highlight stories and lessons learned from some of the country’s leading technology entrepreneurs and the venture capitalists who have backed them.

We hope you will join some 600 NVCA members (all active venture capitalists) in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium for this afternoon gathering and follow us to the MIT Museum for a reception in the recently opened MIT 150th Anniversary Exhibition, which features the 150 most important objects in the history of MIT, including artifacts from original venture-funded companies and pioneering venture capital firms themselves.

If you are attending the NVCA Annual Meeting, you do not need to purchase a ticket for this event.

Confirmed Speakers:
Noubar Afeyan, Flagship Ventures
Ajay Agarwal, Bain Capital Ventures
Peter Brooke, Advent International
Tim Draper, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Howard Hartenbaum, August Capital
Scott Kupor, Andreessen Horowitz
Robert Langer, MIT
Terry McGuire, Polaris Venture Partners
Jason Mendelson, Foundry Group
Bob Metcalfe, 3Com, MIT, Polaris Venture Partners, University of Texas
Mick Mountz, Kiva Systems
Theresia Gouw Ranzetta, Accel Partners
Bryan Roberts, Venrock
Ed Roberts, MIT Sloan School of Management
Linda Rottenberg, Endeavor Global
William Sahlman, Harvard Business School

Founders Circle planning group for the VC65 Program:
Peter Brooke, Advent International
Rick Burnes, Charles River Ventures
Bill Draper, Draper Richards
Mark Heesen, National Venture Capital Association
Henry McCance, Greylock Partners
Terry McGuire, Polaris Venture Partners
Andy McLane, TA Associates
Michael Greeley, Flybridge Capital Partners
William Sahlman, Harvard Business School
John Durant, Director, MIT Museum
Phillip Sharp, MIT; MIT Museum
Bob Buderi, Xconomy

Full Agenda here

Schedule:
Registration and networking: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Program: 2:00 – 4:45 pm
Networking reception at the MIT Museum: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

Registration information:
Early Bird Registration (ends March 1) $175
Startup Special $95
for employees of startups less than 3 years old with 20 or fewer employees.
Regular Registration: $250
Walk-in Registration: $350
Student Registration: $20
Student scholarships available through the Stay in MA program.
Startup Partner Package: $500
Includes 4 tickets and recognition online and at VC65. Not available for service providers.

Tickets are transferable but not refundable.
To inquire about press registration, e-mail [email protected].