California Greening
The federal government has decreased support for alternative energy technologies, but many states including California are moving ahead with their own programs to encourage alternate energy sources.

New Guide Saves Businesses Money
LA Office of Economic Development has published "A Guide to Environmental and Resource Efficient Business Practices," which can help businesses anywhere in the country lower their energy costs and receive government incentives for energy efficient equipment and design schemes.

Victor Hwang at California Nanotech Policy Briefing
Larta's COO will be on the Economy/Markets panel of the California Nanotechnology Policy conference: California Nanotechnology 2004: Our Future Is Very Small, which is designed to educate state policymakers about nanotechnology, develop substantive policy proposals, and highlight issues emerging from the CCST California Nanotechnology report.

Send comments and submissions to James Klein, Larta VOX Editor, at voxeditor@larta.org

SSTI, the State Science and Technology Institute, calls Larta University one of the "best programs in the country," having "helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, implemented innovative programs, and assisted client companies to raise hundreds-of-millions of dollars.

January 27: Preparing the Financial Forecast Model
This workshop will show you how to build a financial forecast model. Using Excel, you will learn how to build your forecast from the bottom up, translating the primary elements of your business (sales, cost of goods sold, staffing and overhead) into a forecasted Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet, all in a format that potential investors will find attractive.
Location: Los Angeles

February 12: Entrepreneurship Series #8: Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Business Presentations
Many business presentations contain too much of the wrong information and not enough of the right information. Entrepreneurs and technologists have to translate complex, broad technology business concepts and plans into succinct messages that intrigue and interest venture capitalists, customers and corporate partners. This workshop will help you effectively communicate your value proposition to your audience and understanding what audiences respond to. You will have an opportunity to practice your elevator pitch with mentors and peers so that you can leave with an effective, tried and tested pitch.
Location: Los Angeles

Larta University's full course schedule >

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Consumer Electronics
Sony Sells Itself for a Change (BusinessWeek)
With new rivals dimming its reputation for innovation, the Japanese giant is launching a marketing blitz aimed at wowing consumers.
more Consumer Electronics News

Software
PC viruses spawn $55 billion loss in 2003 (CNet News)
Trend Micro, the world's third-largest antivirus software maker, said Friday that computer virus attacks cost global businesses an estimated $55 billion in damages in 2003, a sum that is expected to increase this year.
more Software news

Internet
Study: Music Piracy Rising (Wired)
The number of people downloading music illegally surged a month after recording companies began suing hundreds of music fans, a marketing research firm said.
more Internet news

Semiconductors
Intel: Powered Up for Another Hot Year (BusinessWeek)
Wi-Fi, a catalog of updated chips, and the burgeoning consumer-electronics market are likely to keep the chipmaker firing on all cylinders.
more Semiconductor news

Investments
IPO Watch: Off with a bang (Red Herring - registration)
Early pricings foretell a busy year; the buzz on Google's big move.
more Investment news

This events calendar is provided as a service by Larta about events vetted and endorsed by Larta.

January 20: The Next BIG THING: Business VC's are Looking to Fund
Orange Coast Venture Group presents a breakfast meeting event to guide companies toward successful relationships with venture capitalists and other investors.

January 20: California Nanotechnology 2004: Our Future Is Very Small
The Joint Committee for Preparing California for the 21st Century presents an extended policy briefing on California's hottest technology sector. Includes findings from the forthcoming special report "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges In California," panel discussions, and policy recommendations from California 's leading nanotechnology thinkers.

January 20: Intellectual Property Insurance
Los Angeles Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society host a program on intellectual property insurance with David A. Gauntlett, Esq. of Gauntlett & Associates.

January 20: Medical Devices: The Power of Small
CalTech Enterprise Forum explores the ways miniaturization, including MEMS technology and nanotechnology, entice and excite scientists and investors, and how products incorporating such miniaturization are finding their way into the marketplace.

January 21: Innovation at the Interface: Technological Fusion at MIT
This 22nd program in the Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum’s Satellite Broadcast Series features MIT’s Dr. Robert Langer and Dr. Rodney Brooks.

January 22: LAVA Awards Program
Don't miss Los Angeles Venture Association's first Annual Awards Program with Chairperson Douglas Burke, Managing Director, Digital Coast Partners.

January 22: Ensuring the Intelligent Sales Conversation: Integrating Marketing Messaging with Sales Processes
You are invited to attend an Executive Forum with Mike Bosworth, Co-founder of CustomerCentric Systems, LLC. In today's economic climate, it's not so much what you sell anymore—but how you sell it.

January 22: Raising Money: Where Does Your Company Fit within the OC Funding Landscape?
Tech Coast Venture Network hosts top investment and technology professionals who will provide their insights on Orange County and Southern California funding trends in 2003 and what they anticipate for 2004.

January 27: Preparing the Financial Forecast Model
In this Larta U class, you will learn how to build a financial forecast model from the bottom up and present it in a format that potential investors will find attractive.

January 27: Building a Positive Economic Environment for Startups
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) hosts a "4th Tuesday Technology Exchange" with Mark Lieberman, Administrator of the Business Technology Center of Los Angeles County, a business innovation center with a mission of assisting start-up and early stage technology firms grow and prosper.

January 27: Talk on Leadership
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) San Diego presents a talk on “Breakthrough Leadership: Judging Entrepreneurial Journeys that are Prone-to-Success" by Mike Richardson, founder, president and principal resultant of Sherpa Alliance, a company focused on helping executives crystallize a higher road of breakthrough leadership and results.

Larta's full event calendar >

Since 1993, Larta has been the leader in convening technology companies, researchers, and investors. We help our clients access the technology industry through world-class conference and training services, industry research, and capital-raising.

Companies helped by Larta have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Larta's conferences and seminars provide insights to thousands of businesspeople each year. Larta's weekly magazine on business innovation is read by over 20,000 people.

www.Larta.org

Los Angeles Office:
714 W. Olympic Blvd.
Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (213) 744-1314
Fax: (213) 744-1791

Orange County Office:
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Irvine, CA 92606