Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Virtual Forum

Thanks to our awesome sponsors, this is a FREE event

We will email you the LINK to the event on Tuesday, March 24 after 3pm Eastern Time

These days, as investors and entrepreneurs, we have a lot to think about and discuss. We are in uncharted territory and are really blessed to feature TWO of the nation's brightest and most successful entrepreneurs, Tim Hwang of FIscalNote and David Gardner of The Motley Fool.

"The Best Networking Event in the MidAtlantic."

This will be our 44th event over the last 9 years.

We will kick things off with Fireside Chat Guest TIM HWANG, one of the most impressive young entrepreneurs in the country. Tim is CEO and Founder of Washington, DC-based FiscalNote, which has raised over $260 million in capital to date. Forbes calls FiscalNote the "Fastest Growing Startup in American History"! Come hear Tim tell his story of cold emailing Shark Mark Cuban and convincing him to invest. Other early investors include Jerry Yang, Founder of Yahoo!, NEA, as well as a "Who's Who" of top tier investors.

After our Rocket Pitch session, we will have DAVID GARDNER, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Motley Fool, talk with us about dealing with Fear and finding Opportunity in this environment. David has not only built a sustainable market-leading enterprise as well as a $140 million venture capital fund, but he is also widely recognized around the globe as one of the most prescient and successful investors in the stock market, with an amazing track record. We are excited to get his take as both a business builder and an investor. Should be fascinating!

Over 70% of previous attendees surveyed say that CONNECTpreneur is the "Number One" tech and investor event in the Mid-Atlantic region!

Program Highlights:

- Fireside Chat with Rockstar CEO and Uber Entrepreneur TIM HWANG, CEO of FiscalNote, the "Fastest Growing Startup in American History," according to Forbes.

- SPECIAL DISCUSSION with David Gardner, Co-founder and Co-Chairman of The Motley Fool : "How to Deal with Fear and Uncertainty in Today's Environment"

- Who will be online? We expect 400+ business leaders, including 200+ CEOs & Founders, as well several dozen of angels & VCs

- "Rocket Pitch" Showcase of 8 promising emerging tech companies

NOTE: To facilitate virtual networking among attendees, we will start the event 15 minutes before the program commences, and we will keep the event online for 30 minutes after the program portion ends.

CONNECTpreneur is a bi-monthly networking mashup, which has been attended by over 12,000 business leaders over the past 9 years.

All attendees must be pre-registered on this Eventbrite site.

We will email you the log-in information and instructions after you register.

Please "Like" us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Connectpreneur

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @connectpreneur

And visit our Website at connectpreneur.org

DATE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

AGENDA

7:45 - 8:00 am - VIRTUAL NETWORKING (via Private Message)

8:00 - 8:05 am - WELCOME REMARKS

S. TIEN WONG - CEO, Opus8, Inc.; Founder, Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum

8:05 - 8:45 am - FIRESIDE CHAT

TIM HWANG - CEO, FiscalNote

S. TIEN WONG - CEO, Opus8, Inc.; Founder, Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum

8:45 - 9:30 am - COMPANY SHOWCASE / ROCKET PITCH

Companies will be introduced by:

ANTHONY MILLIN - Chair of NEXT, powered by Shulman Rogers; Venture Partner, Urban.Us

MIKE LABRIOLA - Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati

Alphyn Biologics

Aperiomics

Red Carpet Rocks

DiliVer

Micronic Technologies

AmChart

EMAT

Lightsense Technologies

9:30 - 10:10 am - SPECIAL DISCUSSION: "How to Deal with Fear and Uncertainty in Today's Environment"

DAVID GARDNER - Co-founder and Co-Chairman of The Motley Fool; Co-Founder, Conscious Capitalism Washington, D.C.

S. TIEN WONG - CEO, Opus8, Inc.; Founder, Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum

10:10 - 10:45 - VIRTUAL NETWORKING (via Private Message)

PREVIOUS INVESTOR PARTICIPANTS (partial list):

Revolution Ventures, Carlyle Group, Kinetic Ventures, Sterling Partners, Core Capital, Grotech, UPDATA, Novak Biddle, New Atlantic Ventures, Edison Ventures, SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, Venturehouse, Boulder Ventures, TDF Funds, Ballast Point Ventures, Multiplier Capital, Saratoga Investment Corp., Maryland Venture Fund, New Markets Venture Partners, True Ventures, 500 Startups, Amplifier Venture Partners, DFW Capital Partners, Farragut Capital, NextGen Angels, CIT GAP Funds, TEDCO, BluVenture Investors, Leeds Novamark, 1776, Private Access Network, CAV Angels, K Street Capital, Select Venture Partners, RLMcCall Capital, ID Private Equity, Cranbrook Capital, Baltimore Angels, Pennington Partners, Acceleprise, Blue Marlin Partners, US Boston Capital, VentureCross Partners, Berman Enterprises, Dingman Angels, Neuberger & Co. Ventures, McLean Capital, Angel Venture Forum, Brilliant Keypoint Investments, Paras Ventures, NextSteps Capital, Noblestar Capital, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Grindstone Partners, Exhilirator, New Vantage Group, New Dominion Angels, National Capital Companies, Enhanced Capital, MTECH Ventures, Mosaic Capital, Opus8, Blue Heron Capital, Duncaster Investments, Private Capital Network, Next-Stage Development Group, Lancaster Angel Network, Decisive Investment Group, Harrell Partners, Ruxton Ventures, MD Center for Entrepreneurship, Fortify Ventures, Conscious Venture Labs, and Keiretsu Forum.

EVENT PARTNERS

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

NEXT, powered by Shulman Rogers

Association for Enterprise Growth

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

First Financial Group

SunTrust Bank

Refraction

New York Life

Maryland Tech Council Venture Mentoring Services

Baltimore Angels

Startup Grind

Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI)

Keiretsu Forum

Dingman Center Angels

MIT Alumni Angels

Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative

Institute for Excellence in Sales

Wharton DC Innovation Summit

Founder Institute

Ryan & Wetmore

KoBE

U.S. International Development Center (USIDC)

Monte Jade Science & Technology Association

National Association of Business Owners and Entrepreneurs (NABOE)

All tickets purchased prior to March 17 shall be credited towards a future CONNECTpreneur event:

May 28 (full day ) - 3rd Annual East Coast VentureCON conference, Rockville, MD

June 22 (evening) - Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum, Tysons Corner, VA

August (evening) - East Coast VentureCON SummerFest & EXPO, Tysons Corner, VA

September (morning) - Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum, Rockville, MD

November (morning) - Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum, Washington, DC

December 14 (evening) - Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum Holiday Extravaganza, Tysons Corner, VA

TESTIMONIALS and MEDIA

PRESS: http://connectpreneur.org/press

"No B.S. that was the best biz networking event I have ever been to."

Darren Womer

CEO, National Capital Companies

"CONNECTpreneur is the region's leading event for bringing together people who will drive our economy forward."

Lyles Carr

Senior Vice President, The McCormick Group

"Not every investor and startup meeting in town is worthwhile. I would run through walls to get to yours though."

Joe Kessler

CEO, Next Stage Development Group

"You pulled off a great conference. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for inviting me!!"

John Backus

Managing Partner, New Atlantic Ventures and Proof.vc

"Thank you again for the invitation to CONNECTpreneur. It is so incredible to watch the Forum become THE entrepreneurship/investor forum in the Washington, DC metro area, and maybe the entire Mid-atlantic region."

Dennis Defensor

Senior VP, Worldwide Sales, OROCK Technologies

"One of the best events I have ever sponsored!"

Mark Ellenbogen

Partner, BDO

"Great event this week! Great speakers, atmosphere and people! Reminded me of the good ole days!"

Tom Kohn

Professor, American University and Founder, Transactis

"It was amazing. Best event I have ever attended!"

Jill Chodorov, Angel Investor

"I thought you put on a terrific event. I was really impressed with the caliber of people and the format of the event."

Jim Van Eperen, Angel Investor

Director, Raffa Insurance Services

"That was one of the best VC conferences I can remember attending. It had all the positive energy of the boom years, without the unbridled reckless exuberance."

Jim Long

Founder, VentureCross Partners

"Bravo! Great program."

Tony Cord

Partner and Managing Director, Newport Board Group

"It was first class....well done!"

Chad MacDonald

CEO, Connected Services

"Amazing how many high-level people you had..."

Wade Tetsuka,

CEO, US Transactions Corp.

"It was very successful! A good combination of networking time, information, and presentation of deal opportunities. The interview approach worked well I thought, and the room was certainly full."

George Harrop

Managing Director, CapitalSource

"It was a really good crowd of operators and investors…rare for these so-called 'forums.'"

David Giannini

Chairman and CEO, CirrusWorks

"Event was great. Quality attendees, good energy – contacts – content."

Bud Morrissette

CEO, Interstate Group Holdings

"it was an outstanding event! Thank you for having us be part of CONNECTpreneur...I feel like I've experienced the best of breed in networking and relationship groups. Nicely done."

Jack Quarles

Co-Author, Same Side Selling

"I thought the event yesterday at Marymount University was absolutely outstanding! The attendance was fantastic and the content was extraordinary. Thank you for curating such a great event. The Vice Chair of the Arlington County Board was extraordinarily impressed. Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of it and we look forward to the event."

Victor Hoskins

Former Director, Arlington County (VA) Economic Development

“That was a great event! You are making a great contribution to moving innovation economy forward in this region. Much respect!"

Mi Jeong Hibbits

Executive Director, The Global Chamber

FAQs

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You can e-mail the organizers at connectpreneur@opus8.com.

Can I update my registration information?

Yes

How can I apply to present?

If you have a promising early stage company that is raising capital or wanting to make a product announcement, please contact presenters@opus8.com. We have a Committee review process for prospective presenting companies.