2014 Silicon Valley Index: Economy is Sizzling, But Not for All

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SAN JOSE and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (PRWEB) February 04, 2014

Silicon Valley’s economy is red-hot and leads the nation with extraordinary growth in jobs, income, innovation, venture capital investment and immigration, according to the 2014 Silicon Valley Index released today by Joint Venture Silicon Valleyand Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

The comprehensive yearly analysis of the economic strength and overall health of Silicon Valley alsoshows the most impressive gains in commercial development in a decade, a 52 percent increase in foreign immigration and the highest net migration in 14 years. But the data also indicates that the new wave of prosperity poses greater challenges for the region to accommodate sustained growth and that the gains are bypassing the lowest earning groups, leaving the less affluent further behind than ever.

“The Silicon Valley economy is sizzling like nowhere else in the country,” said Russell Hancock, President and CEO of Joint Venture. “A surge of innovation between San Jose and San Francisco is driving prodigious growth from Market Street to Market Street, but with that comes tough new challenges in housing, transportation and infrastructure for the entire region.”

“This year’s Index proves that a rising tide is not enough to lift all boats,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and President of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. “The gaps and disparities, particularly for low and middle income households and along racial lines, are more pronounced than ever. The community must take deliberate policy actions to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to share in the region’s prosperity.”

The 72-page 2014 Index reports the latest data and trends in economic development, workforce, housing, education, public health, land use, environment, governance, arts and culture and other sectors throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, andportions of Alameda and Santa Cruz counties and San Francisco.

The Index is published in conjunction with the annual “State of the Valley” conference, a town hall-style gathering of regional leaders, elected officials and citizens in a daylong discussion of Silicon Valley’s economic opportunities, challenges and future. The 2014 conference takes place Friday, Feb. 7, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Keynote remarks by Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Khan Academy founder Salman Khan and demographer Manuel Pastor.

Other highlights of the 2014 Index include:

Jobs –The region added 46,665 jobs in 2013, an increase of 3.4 percent over the prior year. California as a state, meanwhile, is still 2.2 percent below pre-recession jobs totals. The job growth is driven by computer hardware design, information services and the Internet industry, plus community infrastructure, health care, construction, and a range of other business services. The regional unemployment rate has continued its downward trend, reaching 5.8 percent in November 2013. While unemployment has declined among nearly all racial/ethnic groups in Silicon Valley since 2011, it is still over 10 percentfor African-Americans.

Innovation and investment – The number of patent registrations rose to 15,057 in 2012, an 11 percent increase over 2011. The region’s share of California and U.S. venture capital investments increased in 2013 to 77 percent and 39 percent, respectively. The region’s share of angel investment in California increased to 87 percent. Silicon Valley had 20 IPOs in 2013, an increase of 3 over the previous year.

Population – The region’s population growth has accelerated over the last year due to a 52 percent increase in foreign immigration in 2013 over the previous year. The region’s total population grew 1.31 percent last year compared to 0.88 percent statewide, and our net migration (13,766 people) has not been this high since 1997, when it reached a high of 14,515.

Income – The share of households in Silicon Valley earning more than $ 100,000 increased two percentage points to 45 percent in 2012, while the share of households earning $ 35,000 to $ 99,000 decreased two percentage points to 35 percent.Although median household income has finally started to increase following a four-year decline (up $ 1,028 between 2011 and 2012), the increase in average annual rental expenses (up $ 1,526) is outpacing income gains. Income disparities persist between racial and ethnic groups. The lowest-earning racial/ethnic group earns 70 percent less than the highest earning group.

Housing – Silicon Valley’s housing market is becoming an increasingly inhospitable environment for first-time homebuyers. Fewer than half of Silicon Valley’s first-time homebuyers can afford to purchase a median-priced home, compared to 59 percent in the state. And while the total number of home sales has picked up, median prices continue to climb (an increase of 10 percent in the last year). While 7,431 new residential units in building permits were issued in the first 11 months of 2013 – a high number compared with previous years – it is not enough to support the 33,636 new residents.

Published annually since 1995, the Silicon Valley Index findings are reported in five major sections: People (talent flows and diversity); Economy (employment, innovation, entrepreneurship, commercial space, income); Society (preparing for economic success, early education, arts and culture, quality of health, safety); and Place (environment, transportation, land use, housing; Governance (revenue).

Joint Venture added Silicon Valley Community Foundation as its partner on the Index and lead sponsor for State of the Valley in 2008. The Index is accessible online at http://www.siliconvalleyindex.org andmay be downloaded from the Joint Venture website at http://www.jointventure.org or the SVCF website at http://www.siliconvalleycf.org.

ABOUT JOINT VENTURE SILICON VALLEY

Established in 1993, Joint Venture provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community—to spotlight issues, launch projects and work toward innovative solutions. For more information, visit http://www.jointventure.org.

About Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Silicon Valley Community Foundation makes all forms of philanthropy more powerful. We serve as a catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems and give more money to charities than any other community foundation in the United States. SVCF has more than $ 4.7 billion in assets under management. As Silicon Valley’s center of philanthropy, we provide thousands of individuals, families and corporations with simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world.

Find out more at http://www.siliconvalleycf.org







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Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP Releases Infographic Illustrating 2013 Manufacturing Venture Capital Deals

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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 04, 2014

Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP(HA&W), the largest Georgia-headquartered tax, accounting and business consulting firm, released today an infographic illustrating the number of venture capital deals that occurred in 2013 for select manufacturing sub-niches.

HA&W’s 2013 Manufacturing Venture Capital Wrap Up infographic illustrates the number of venture capital deals at all stages that occurred in food manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, chemicals & gases manufacturing, metals manufacturing, plastic containers and packaging manufacturing and distribution. The infographic shows all manufacturing venture capital deals within the U.S. and is broken down further into deals that occurred within the Southeastern region.

Readers can quickly gauge the areas of manufacturing that most commonly receive venture capital funding and the average value of those deals. This is important information as manufacturers look for funding to continue to grow their business, add new products and processes or increase employee count.

“Understanding which manufacturing companies received venture capital funding in 2013 is crucial to those manufacturers seeking funding in 2014,” said Adam Beckerman, partner-in-charge of the manufacturing & distribution group at HA&W. “As they look back at the last year, it’s easy to see which areas were strategic from an investor standpoint. This can help companies make better informed decisions about their future.”

Interested in where the money went in 2013? Check out the full infographic at http://www.hawcpa.com/industries/manufacturing-distribution.

Looking to make more money and keep more of it in 2014? Contact Adam Beckerman, partner-in-charge of the manufacturing & distribution group, at adam.beckerman(at)hawcpa(dot)com or 404-898-8542.

Thank you to Pitchbook (http://pitchbook.com/) for providing the data.

About Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP:

Today, the pace at which work gets done is faster than ever before, and when companies manage that pace by surrounding themselves with the right people, sustainable success happens. That’s why recognizable industry leaders within the manufacturing sector continue to select Habif, Arogeti &Wynne, LLP as their accounting, audit, tax, and consulting firm of choice. Companies looking to increase profitability, streamline processes that improve financial reporting and reduce the time associated with audits, tax planning and compliance choose HA&W. Quicker answers, avoiding unforeseen pitfalls, becoming a better business for the long-run; these are just a few of the benefits clients routinely experience when working with HA&W. Starting up, growing or getting ready to transition? Operating locally, nationally or globally? HA&W gets you where you want to be. Be Successful.

Reach out to HA&W at http://www.hawcpa.com.







Justin Bieber's Mounting Legal Issues Call for Asset Protection Strategies, Claims UltraTrust.com

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Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 04, 2014

CNN reports that in terms of legal headaches and adverse media exposure, Justin Bieber is unlikely to forget the year 2013. He may also want to add 2014 to the list of musical career years that he would just as soon wish to put behind him (1), but his popularity and earning potential do not foreshadow the possibility of shunning the limelight anytime soon.

CNN went on to say that although news media portrayals of Bieber’s alleged antics and purported out-of-control behavior tend to paint a sordid state of affairs, his legal standing and financial affairs seem to be in better shape than his relationship and personal issues. (1) Like any entertainment star of his caliber, Bieber’s net worth makes him a sizable target for lawsuits and potential liability matters. This is something that CBS News discussed nearly a year ago (9).

“In late February 2013, Bieber’s legal troubles only involved lawsuits filed by a former bodyguard as well as from a woman from Oregon who claimed that the Canadian pop star damaged her hearing.” says Rocco Beatrice, Managing Director of Estate Street Partners, LLC. Back then, just about all of Bieber’s legal concerns were mostly concentrated to the United States; in 2013, however, according to CNN, reports of his alleged reckless behavior while on tour emerged from Brazil, Canada, and Southern California (1).

Forbes examined some of Bieber’s vast holdings in the United States, which include real estate in Arizona and Pennsylvania as well as venture capital investments in social media and Internet technology start-ups (2). Mr. Beatrice commented that Bieber’s assets in the United States should certainly merit being held in a properly constructed and executed irrevocable trust: “This is an essential asset protection strategy that would protect Bieber’s wealth as he continues to perform in the United States and around the world.”

In mid-January, Bieber was arrested in South Florida on charges of driving under the influence, illegal street racing and resisting arrest. Reports by the Associated Press indicated that Miami Beach police officers approached a rented Lamborghini sports car driven by Bieber, who allegedly smelled of alcohol at the time and may have been driving at twice the posted speed limit (3).

The Associated Press further reported that Bieber supposedly told law enforcement officers that he had been smoking marijuana and taking prescription drugs at the time he was arrested, and that his mother handled his medication regime (3). As it stands, Bieber is due to appear on Valentine’s Day at the Miami-Dade County Richard E. Gerstein’s Justice Building to answer to one misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence, under docket number B14002900 (4).

According to ABC News, after Bieber’s arrest and bail release in Miami, he left for Toronto. Once in Canada, he surrendered to law enforcement was charged with assault in relation to an alleged incident involving a limousine driver on New Year’s Eve. These criminal allegations are exacerbated by earlier reports that Bieber may have thrown eggs at his neighbor’s home in Southern California (7).

With regard to the legal issues above, Mr. Beatrice commented: “It is easy to speculate from all these reports that Bieber is on the verge of completely losing control, but the facts and legal outcomes thus far paint a different picture.” Mr. Beatrice is referring to Moshe Benabou v. Justin Bieber et al., docket number BC498862, in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, which CNN reports was recently settled (5). On that case, a professional bodyguard alleged that Bieber assaulted him with a barrage of punches to his upper body. The bodyguard also mentioned that he made no attempt to protect himself from Bieber’s physical attack due to concerns for the singer’s well-being.

“This case could have gone to trial, but it was resolved outside of the courtroom,” explained Mr. Beatrice. “Bieber could face more of these civil lawsuits and complaints that seemingly target the considerable wealth he has gained over the last few years. The alleged criminal charges only elevate his profile in the eyes of potential plaintiffs looking to file civil complaints against him.”

The asset protection benefits of irrevocable trusts such as those offered by UltraTrust.com could bring Bieber and his legal team some level of assurance with regard to keeping his wealth guarded. Bieber’s assets could become property of the trust and not his, thereby keeping his fortune safe for generations to come.

Another issue examined by UltraTrust.com and Mr. Beatrice is the report of, according to the Miami Herald, Bieber spending $ 75,000 in a single outing at a Miami nightclub. (8) “Bieber is an adult who can spend his earnings as best as he sees fit. It is interesting to see alleged reports of profligate spending now; it is almost as if he has grown out of a California Coogan Blocked Trust Account.”

What Mr. Beatrice is referring to is the law that protects minors working in the entertainment and showbiz fields in California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and New York (6). In California, this law requires that 15 percent of earnings by minors working in showbiz be placed in a blocked trust account to prevent careless handling of funds by parents or guardians. Once the minor becomes an adult, the account becomes unblocked. “Perhaps Bieber is now in control of funds previously blocked in a Coogan trust account, that may explain the increased spending. Irrespective of this, any assets that may in his control could be made safer in an irrevocable trust.”

About Estate Street Partners (UltraTrust.com):

For 30 years, Estate Street Partners has been helping clients protect assets from divorce and frivolous lawsuits while eliminating estate taxes and probate as well as ensuring superior Medicaid asset protection for both parents and children with their Premium UltraTrust® Irrevocable Trust. Call (888) 938-5872 to learn more.

Sources:

1. edition.cnn.com/2014/01/31/showbiz/justin-bieber-plane/ – 1/31/14

2. forbes.com/forbes/2012/0504/celebrity-100-12-just-bieber-investments-music-venture-capitalist.html – 5/16/13

3. pressherald.com/news/Pop_star_Justin_Bieber_arrested_in_Miami_area_.html?pagenum=full – 2/4/14

4. miami-dadeclerk.com/cjis/CasePrinter.aspx?case=IEBgpWOt%2fbif6Jwa1QiHlw%3d%3d

5. edition.cnn.com/2014/02/03/showbiz/justin-bieber-bodyguard-lawsuit/index.html – 2/4/14

6. sagaftra.org/content/coogan-law

7. abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/justin-bieber-enters-toronto-police-station-amid-throng/story?id=22289962 – 1/29/14

8. miamiherald.com/2014/01/21/3884150/justin-bieber-blows-wads-of-cash.html 1/21/14

9. cbsnews.com/news/suit-against-justin-bieber-by-fired-bodyguard-claims-assault-seeks-back-pay/ – 1/11/13







Greybull Stewardship Closes $20 Million Evergreen Fund

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EMERYVILLE, CA (PRWEB) February 04, 2014

Greybull Stewardship today announced the closing of a $ 20 million evergreen investment fund, Greybull Stewardship, L.P. Since the fund’s January 2010 inception, annual returns have realized 23 percent after fees. As a result, existing limited partners (LPs) increased their commitments and new LPs were added for the second four-year cycle. The fund is industry agnostic, focusing instead on lower middle market companies with between $ 1 to $ 3 million in EBITDA. Other criteria include companies with strong competitive advantages, recurring revenue, and management teams that hold significant equity in the businesses and plan to remain in place after the investment.

“According to a Kauffman Foundation study, only 16 per cent on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies had venture capital backing, indicating there is a capital shortage in this sector,” said Mason Myers, general partner of Greybull Stewardship. “The companies we have invested in to date have reached a tipping point – a capital infusion supported by new governance structures gives management the tools to grow into the middle market.”

The fund’s evergreen structure is central to Myers’ strategy of realizing long-term, cash-on-cash returns with maximum flexibility for business owners. Evergreen funds have the flexibility to exit investments based on what is best for the business, rather than because of restrictions created by a fund’s limited life or other fund-specific limitations. Greybull Stewardship also focuses on generating returns by harvesting some cash tax efficiently from annual profits in addition to the sale of investments, which often is well aligned with the objectives of portfolio company co-owners and management.

“I want founders and business owners to see Greybull Stewardship as an ideal co-owner of their growing, profitable company, just as Berkshire Hathaway is the buyer of choice for many great businesses that do not want to sell to a strategic acquirer that will change things or a financial buyer that will sell the company again a few short years later,” said Myers. “I have been a fan of Berkshire Hathaway philosophies ever since my high school years in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the lessons I have taken from Warren Buffett is to create a structure for Greybull Stewardship that makes it an investor preferred by the very best companies.”

Greybull Stewardship’s growth portfolio includes:

    StormSource Software the developer of Appointment-Plus, the worldwide leader in mobile and online scheduling software.
    Main Street Gourmet a custom bakery specializing in custom foods such as cookies, muffins, brownies, granola, loaf cakes, toppings and desserts for grocery store bakeries and restaurants.
    ABC Sports Camps provides registration services for sport camps and events by offering complete online management, marketing and reporting tools.
    Real Estate Institute and Bookmark Education offer continuing education for real estate, mortgage, insurance, and legal professionals.
    Sites for Law Firms provides websites for law firms with built in marketing and self-editable content.

“Over the last three years, the company has grown from just a handful of employees to a current team of over sixty people. In that time we’ve grown revenue at a compound rate of over 35% per year and become the leading appointment scheduling software in a significant market. We look forward to our continued partnership with Mason and his investors as we continue to expand our services globally,” said Bob La Loggia, founder and CEO, Appointment Plus.

About Greybull Stewardship

Greybull Stewardship exists to provide business owners an ideal co-owner and steward of their business and earn attractive long-term, compounding, cash-on-cash returns for investors. Greybull’s evergreen fund structure and flexible investment horizon is designed to align with the objectives of portfolio company co-owners and management, comprised of growing, profitable organizations in the lower middle market with between $ 1 to $ 3 million in EBITDA.

# # #







Related Venture Capital Press Releases

Alex Laurn, Automotive Consultant, Joins Boutique Investment Bank Pegasus Intellectual Capital Solutions

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Chicago, IL (PRWEB) February 03, 2014

Pegasus Intellectual Capital Solutions (http://www.pegasusics.com) today announced that J. Alexander Laurn, former consultant to Faurecia, has joined as the new head of its automotive practice.

Mr. Laurn will lead the firm’s undertakings in the automotive sector, including the automotive supply chain and transportation. Alex will also be co-head of the firm’s intellectual property licensing and IP monetization team and will assume patent licensing negotiations for a client with a Fortune 500 company.

Mr. Laurn was most recently an automotive consultant to Faurecia (EO:Euronext Paris), one of the world’s ten largest automotive suppliers, and has six years of prior investment banking experience with elite institutions.

Mr. Laurn’s achievements includes mergers and acquisitions transactions (including the sale of Wise Company to Trivest Partners), capital raises, venture capital consulting, and development of early stage engagement models for advanced innovation teams. He has led a myriad of successful transactions including, but not limited to, buy and sell side representation working with leading financial institutions and retail distributors in excess of one billion dollars in revenue.

Mr. Laurn earned a B.S. in finance and marketing, cum laude, from Carthage College and a MBA from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. Alex will reside in Chicago.

Charles Smith, founder of Pegasus Intellectual Capital Solutions LLC stated: “We are excited to have Alex on board and feel he will bring tremendous value to our team. Alex will will lead our Automotive and Transportation group and assist in continuing our leadership in Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Distribution, Technology, and Oil and Gas Field Services.”

About PegasusICS:

Pegasus Intellectual Capital Solutions was named “2013 Investment Banking Boutique of the Year” by Acquisition Finance Magazine, “Investment Banking Boutique of the Year 2013 – USA” by Intercontinental Finance Magazine, and was recently selected for the distinction of “Top 200 Investment Banks and Boutiques” by American Registry.

PegasusICS is a Chicago based boutique investment bank that advises and assists companies on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions – including cross-border – exit planning, restructuring and workout, and shareholder value maximization. PegasusICS operates across the U.S. as well as internationally. PegasusICS was founded by Charles Smith who has consummated over a billion dollars in transactions ranging from Cargill to Target.

PegasusICS has distinguished itself from its peers in the following areas:

Its partners have a history of putting capital at-risk and operating companies. Their analytical work and recommendations are founded on first-hand experience of employing risk-capital as principals that few other investment banking firms offer.
Advising clients is all they do. They do not manage funds, lend, trade, invest or underwrite. Unlike most investment banks, they have no conflicts of interest.
They serve a wide range of clients and have ranged in size from lower-middle market to the Fortune 1000 as well as late stage start-ups that have achieved break-even.
Execution of the engagement is always done by the same professionals engaged. Clients only have a senior point of contact.
They work to increase shareholder value in each of their engagements. Their goal is always to uncover hidden opportunities to maximize the value of their clients’ companies.
They are innovators in advising clients on how to design corporate governance structures for the increasingly challenging Knowledge Era, and in advising clients on how to improve value creation via knowledge management through the use of their proprietary Intellectual Capital AuditTM.
Their cross border experience is extensive, and they are the sole Illinois Representative of Acquisitions International.

Geographic coverage is global but emphasizes North America, Western Europe, Africa and Asia.

For more information, visit http://www.pegasusics.com.

Media Contacts:

Charles Smith

Managing Partner

Pegasus Intellectual Capital Solutions LLC

70 West Madison Street

Suite 1400

Chicago, IL 60602-4270

o : 312-951-0100 x11

f : 312-962-4420

csmith(at)PegasusICS(dot)com







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Gradually Improving IPO Market Produces Strengthened Venture Capital Fund Performance

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Arlington, VA (PRWEB) February 03, 2014

Venture capital fund performance continued to make gains across most time horizons as of September 30, 2013, according to the Cambridge Associates LLC U.S. Venture Capital Index®, the performance benchmark of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). The quarterly, 1-, 3-, 5-, 10- and 15-year horizons all showed higher returns with no change in the 20-year horizon. The 10-year return inched higher for the 14th consecutive quarter and the 1-year performance indicator nearly doubled from one year ago. Despite these improvements, the 1-, 3-, and 5- year returns were bested by the DJIA, NASDAQ Composite, and S&P 500 as of Q3 2013.

“In the past 10 years, returns overall have been more modest than those of the previous decade but some great companies were created in this period, many of which are expanding their growth by going public or being acquired,” said Bobby Franklin, president and CEO, NVCA. “The industry has been optimistic about seeing an improvement in VC fund performance, and it’s encouraging to see that materialize. Given the better exit environment, the IPO markets generated welcomed returns to limited partners and that should continue through Q4 2013 and we hope in 2014,” Franklin added.

“A healthy IPO market and M&A activity both benefitted biotech and IT companies alike,” said Theresa Sorrentino Hajer, Managing Director, Venture Capital Research at Cambridge Associates. “While there were several success stories involving large companies, the IPO market remains highly selective and volatile. The stronger exit environment has meant good news for LPs in the form of distributions from venture funds.”

Vintage Year Return Ratios

The following chart lists the ratio between the dollars paid into venture capital funds by limited partners (LPs) and the dollars distributed to them by vintage year. For example, the 2002 vintage year funds have distributed cash of 0.67 times the amount of capital paid in by LPs and the residual value is 0.36 times the paid-in capital; the total value multiple is therefore 1.03 times. It is important to note that the residual value is unrealized and will change as companies exit the portfolio, are re-valued, or are written off. The 2003 and 2004 vintage year funds show the most positive ratio of the last decade, with returns at 1.58 and 1.49 times (respectively) the capital contributed by LPs, should those funds realize the value of what remains in the portfolio. More recent vintage years have yet to return significant cash to LPs as most funds do not have the opportunity to begin returning capital until after year five.

Additional Performance Benchmarks

To view the full, comprehensive report, which includes tables on additional time horizons, vintage years, and industry returns, please visit the Cambridge Associates or NVCA websites.

Cambridge Associates derives its U.S. venture capital benchmarks from the financial information contained in its proprietary database of venture capital funds. As of September 30, 2013, the database included 1,439 venture funds formed from 1981 through 2013.

About The National Venture Capital Association

Venture capitalists are committed to funding America’s most innovative entrepreneurs, working closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into emerging growth companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital community, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers its members and the entrepreneurs they fund by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long-term investment. As the venture community’s preeminent trade association, NVCA serves as the definitive resource for venture capital data and unites nearly 400 members through a full range of professional services. For more information about the NVCA, please visit http://www.nvca.org.

About Cambridge Associates

Founded in 1973, Cambridge Associates is a provider of independent investment advice and research to institutional investors and private clients worldwide. Today the firm serves over 950 global investors and delivers a range of services, including investment consulting, outsourced portfolio solutions, research services and tools (Research Navigatorsm and Benchmark Calculator), and performance monitoring, across asset classes. The firm compiles the performance results for over 5,500 private partnerships and their more than 68,000 portfolio company investments to publish its proprietary private investments benchmarks, of which the Cambridge Associates LLC U.S. Venture Capital Index® and Cambridge Associates LLC U.S. Private Equity Index® are widely considered to be among the standard benchmark statistics for these asset classes. Cambridge Associates has been selected to provide data and to develop and maintain customized industry benchmarks for a number of prominent industry associations, including the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA), Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL); the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA); the Canada Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA);the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA); the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA); the New Zealand Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Inc. (NZVCA); the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA); and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Cambridge also provides data and analysis to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA). Cambridge Associates has more than 1,100 employees serving its client base globally and maintains offices in Arlington, VA; Boston; Dallas; Menlo Park, CA; London; Singapore; Sydney; and Beijing. Cambridge Associates consists of five global investment consulting affiliates that are all under common ownership and control. For more information about Cambridge Associates, please visit http://www.cambridgeassociates.com.







Business RadioX

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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 03, 2014

On January 17, 2014, host Michelle Matthews of Growth Matters on Business RadioX® welcomed to the studio Becky Blalock with Advisory Capital and Helene Lollis with Pathbuilders.

Becky Blalock is the former SVP and CIO of Southern Company where she worked for 33 years before retiring in October 2011. Under her leadership, Southern Company delivered over a billion dollars in new technology initiatives and was recognized as one of the “100 Most Innovative Companies” by CIO Magazine and one of the “100 Best Places to Work in IT” by Computerworld Magazine.

Today, Blalock is a partner with Advisory Capital, where she provides strategic consulting, and is on the board of Computers for Youth, Emory Healthcare, the Georgia Health Sciences University, CSI Laboratories, Verdecco, and the business School of Mercer University.

Blalock also speaks regularly before large audiences. She was Women in Technology’s 2011 Legacy Award winner, Energy Biz Magazine’s 2009 CIO of the Year, the 2009 Chairman of the Board of Leadership Atlanta, Computerworld Magazine’s “100 IT Leaders,” and Atlanta Woman’s 2006 Power Woman of the Year. Blalock is the author of “DARE: Straight Talk on Confidence, Courage, and Career for Women in Charge.”

Helene Lollis is president of Pathbuilders, and guides strategic direction and program development, provides high-level partnership with clients, and represents Pathbuilders in the community. Trained as a chemical engineer, Lollis spent 12 years with Amoco and BP Corporation in plastics process design, product development, marketing, strategic planning and company mergers and acquisitions.

Lollis is frequently invited to speak on the topics of mentoring, women in the workplace and career planning. She has been published in HR Magazine, Diversity Executive, and Talent Management. Extremely active in the community, Lollis serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Women’s Leadership Forum as well as the Private Bank of Buckhead; and is on the Board of Leadership Atlanta. She also serves as Chairman for the Executive Committee of Junior Achievement of Georgia.

Lollis was recognized as a Business to Business Woman of Excellence honoree in 2012, a POW! Purposeful Woman in 2010, and in 2007, received the Guiding Star Award from Emory’s Executive Women of Goizueta.

To learn more about these featured guests, listen to the complete interview on Growth Matters.

About Growth Matters:

http://growthmatters.businessradiox.com/

Michelle Matthews, President of Matthews Consulting Group and an authority on strategic change, hosts Growth Matters. Join our dialogue to learn about ideas and strategies to spark your creativity and increase your ability to create growth for your company in today’s competitive environment. Learn valuable insights from executives and entrepreneurs who have faced the challenges and risks associated with business growth and succeeded. Learn how they have opened doors that have led to professional and personal success. Growth Matters airs each Friday morning at 10am EST.

About Business RadioX®:

BusinessRadioX® interviews dozens of innovative entrepreneurs and successful leaders each week. Its mission is to help local businesses Get The Word Out about the important work they’re doing for their market, their community, and their profession. With a pro-business slant and a long-form interview format, guests don’t have to worry about being ambushed or talking in “sound bites.” Guests have enough time to tell their whole story and to share their insights and experience without interruptions. BusinessRadioX® hosts are business professionals interviewing their peers, drilling down on the critical issues, and delivering practical information to an engaged business audience. Business topics that are frequently covered include: Law, Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Trade Shows, B2B Marketing, Venture Capital, Training and Development and other issues impacting the business community. For more information, visit: http://www.businessradiox.com.







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Decosimo Welcomes Victor DeMaise & Joshua Moore to Investment Entities Practice

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Chattanooga, TN (PRWEB) February 04, 2014

Decosimo, a Top 100 regional public accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Victor DeMaise and Joshua Moore as tax managers in the firm’s investment entities practice. Mr. DeMaise and Mr. Moore join Decosimo’s significant niche services team which serves a client base of investment entities with a wide range of funds from startups to funds with total assets exceeding $ 2 billion.

Prior to joining Decosimo, Mr. DeMaise served as the Managing Director of Taxation for Bank of New York Mellon Alternative Investment Services and PNC Global Investment Servicing, Inc. Mr. DeMaise has managed the tax process for a variety of hedge funds, mutual funds, mezzanine funds, venture capital funds and off-shore funds. During his career, Mr. DeMaise has consulted with entity managers and personnel providing structuring, transaction, and compliance solutions for domestic and off-shore investment entities.

Mr. Moore has built a track record of success in working with closely-held companies and pass-through entities. A certified public accountant, Mr. Moore also has experience in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and dispositions for international and multi-state consolidated corporations in manufacturing and distribution as well as serving venture capital and investment entities.

“We believe that Vic and Josh will be great additions to our team,” said Karl Jordan, a Decosimo Principal and Investment Entities Practice Leader. “Decosimo has built a very strong practice serving investment entities, and our clients have come to trust the experience and solutions we bring to the table. Vic and Josh have the type of expertise and depth of knowledge that can exceed the complex needs of our clients and their investors. I know our clients will enjoy working with them.”

A Magna Cum Laude graduate with a Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mr. Moore continued his education at UTC earning a Master of Accountancy degree. Mr. Moore is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He currently serves as treasurer for the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners.

Mr. DeMaise earned a Tax Certificate from Widener University’s School of Business Administration. He is a graduate of Drexel University with a Dual Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting.

Decosimo is perennially ranked as a Top 100 accounting and business advisory services firm. A recognized leader for services to hedge funds, Decosimo earned a 2014 Top 20 ranking in HFMWeek magazine for auditors of SEC-registered hedge funds both by number of funds and by regulatory assets under management. Decosimo is a regional firm with offices in nine geographic locations in the United States and the Cayman Islands, with approximately 300 professionals and staff. Each of Decosimo’s offices provides a full range of accounting and advisory services to a wide array of industries. Additionally, Decosimo is an independent firm associated with Moore Stephens International Limited. With over 300 firms with a total of 667 offices across 105 countries, Moore Stephens and Decosimo provide clients with access to significant resources and expertise comparable to Big Four firms.







The Boston Massachusetts G3 Chocolatier Journal Reports That Seattle Food Scientist, Terry Wakefield, Completed a 3rd Party Fact Analysis of Xocai Healthy Dark Cacao

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(PRWEB) February 04, 2014

Thanks to a new friend, Adam Paul Green, from the Boston Massachusetts G3 Chocolatier Journal, Terry Wakefield discovered “Xocai” and became intrigued.

Modern food scientists and technologists are versatile, interdisciplinary and collaborative practitioners in a profession at the crossroads of scientific and technological developments.  As our food system has drastically changed, from one centered around family food production and preservation on individual farms to the modern system of today, most people are no longer connected to their food nor are they familiar with the agricultural production and food manufacturing processes designed for providing higher quality, safe food.  In the United States, food science is typically studied at “land-grant” universities which were chartered in the mid-1800’s to support agricultural and technical education.

Discovery IFT Food Science

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9gnzr_discovery-ift-food-science_shortfilms

Terry Wakefield quote: “In my case, I went to school at Oregon State University located in Corvallis, Oregon http://oregonstate.edu/dept/foodsci/.  A food science and engineering curriculum is an eclectic mix of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ science — chemistry, biology, economics, microbiology, statistics, nutrition and engineering blended together with the culinary arts. Upon my graduation, I went to work for General Foods (currently part of Kraft) as a quality control supervisor. I quickly moved into a plant quality control manager position and then on into corporate quality assurance where I was responsible for helping assure that all of the company’s production facilities met standards and that key ingredient suppliers were in compliance with specifications. I was then promoted to quality control manager of a large plant where I was also on the original product development and commercialization team for Cool Whip.”

http://oregonstate.edu/foodsci/

“My next assignment was in Delaware as quality control manager for a 27 acre production facility which produced a broad array of products (Minute Rice, Minute Tapioca, Baker’s Coconut, Log Cabin Syrup, Dream Whip, Kool-Aid, Jell-O Gelatin & Pudding, Stove Top Stuffing and Baker’s Chocolate).  With chocolate back in my life, I was able to transition out of the quality control arena and into production management. I was responsible for producing most of the products noted above, but my favorite assignment was running the 6.5 acre chocolate manufacturing facility. We had 40 silos (each held 1 million pounds) for storing cocoa beans so I had access to beans from virtually every part of the world (Madagascar, Bahia, Sanchez, Samoa, Ghana, Maracaibo, Arriba, etc.).  I have also had a privilege to work for Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolates in St. Louis as Senior VP and Chief Chocolatier.  This very old chocolate company had originally made chocolate for King Louis XIV,” says Terry Wakefield.

Terry Wakefield

terryw934(at)gmail(dot)com

http://cacaopow.youthfulchocolate.com/

About Us

G3 Development is set out to proactively serve the business community by providing solutions in entrepreneurialism, business development, social media and venture capitalism.

To provide leadership in establishing strength with our client’s international businesses, being built on a foundation of innovation, advocacy, technology and business integrity.

http://www.g3-development.co/

1-877-229-9183







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Alternative Investments Conference Set for Feb. 14 at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

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Chapel Hill, N.C. (PRWEB) February 03, 2014

The seventh annual Alternative Investments Conference (AIC) will be hosted by the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School on Feb. 14.

The conference is a forum for private equity, hedge fund, venture capital and limited partner professionals to network, share ideas and stay abreast of industry trends.

“Seeking Sustainable Yield” is the theme of the student-led event organized by the UNC Kenan-Flagler Private Equity Club, an MBA career organization.

Keynote speakers will be:

    Terry S. Brown, chairman and chief executive officer, EDENS
    William C. Montgomery, managing director, Quantum Energy Partners
    Mounir Guen, chief executive officer, MVision
Over 25 speakers will participate in panel discussions on private equity, real estate, energy and infrastructure, distressed and special situations, hedge funds and emerging markets.

Proceeds from the conference fund the Alternative Investment Fellowship, which assists selected UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students gain summer internships with leading alternative investment firms.

The robust focus on private equity at UNC Kenan-Flagler extends from educational and career preparation for students – including the only student-run private equity fund at a top-tier business school – to the faculty’s research.

The AIC will be held at the Carolina Club on the UNC campus. For more information and registration, go to http://www.uncaic.com.

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About the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School

Consistently ranked one of the world’s best business schools, UNC Kenan-Flagler is known for its collaborative culture that stems from its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. Professors excel at both teaching and research, and demonstrate unparalleled dedication to students. Graduates are effective, principled leaders who have the technical and managerial skills to deliver results in the global business environment. UNC Kenan-Flagler offers a rich portfolio of programs and extraordinary, real-life learning experiences: Undergraduate Business (BSBA), full-time MBA, Executive MBA Programs (Evening, Weekend and global OneMBA®), online MBA@UNC, UNC-Tsinghua Dual-Degree EMBA, Master of Accounting, PhD, Executive Development, and UNC Business Essentials programs. It is home to the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise.







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