Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum

This will be our 52nd consecutive Sold Out in-person event over the last 12 years!

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

This unique event is like none other in the Mid-Atlantic, because of the high quality of our attendees, speakers and presenters.

And YES, the networking is unprecedented!

Program Highlights:

- Updates from Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, District of Columbia; President of George Washington University, and the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

- We expect 300+ business leaders, including 100+ CEOs & Founders, as well as dozens of angels & VCs

- Showcase of Emerging tech companies

- Heavy networking before, during, and after the event

Buffet breakfast and unlimited coffee/tea will be provided.

CONNECTpreneur is a bi-monthly networking mashup, which has been attended by over 15,000 business leaders over the past 12 years.

Space is very limited at this venue, and we expect another Sold Out crowd, so there will be no on-site registration.

All attendees must be pre-registered.

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: THURSDAY, APRIL 20 @ 8:00am EDT

AGENDA

8:00 - 9:20 am - REGISTRATION / NETWORKING

9:20 - 10:00 am - WELCOME REMARKS

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

DAN DOOLEY - Managing Director, Tishman Speyer

LEONA AGOURIDIS - Executive Director, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

KEITH ANDERSON - Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, District of Columbia

PATRICK BRYANT, Co-Founder, CODE/+/TRUST; Chapter Director, Startup Grind DC

JIM CHUNG, Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, George Washington University

Dr. XIMENA HARTSOCK, Co-Founder, BuildWithin; Founder, Phone2Action

10:00 - 10:45 am - COMPANY SHOWCASE / ROCKET PITCH - Promising Early Stage Companies

Barometer XP

BlueStar Telehealth

Opal HTM

Social Currant

True Bearing Diagnostics

WheelTug

Companies will be introduced by:

MARK HAAS, CEO, Association for Enterprise Growth

SARA CLASPER , Associate, NEXT, powered by Shulman Rogers

10:45am - Noon - NETWORKING

PREVIOUS INVESTOR PARTICIPANTS (partial list)

Over 3900 accredited high net worth and "high income" private investors, VCs, corporate investors, and family office investors have attended CONNECTpreneur events. Investor groups include the following:

Revolution Ventures, Google Ventures, Carlyle Group, Keiretsu Capital, Motley Fool Ventures, Intel Capital, Y Combinator, Intel Capital, Sterling Partners, Grotech, UPDATA, ASB Capital, Camber Creek, Columbiua Capital, Cisco Investments, Epidarex, New Atlantic Ventures, Edison Ventures, 500 Startups, SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, Venturehouse, Kinetic Ventures, Techstars, TDF Funds, Ballast Point Ventures, Multiplier Capital, TEDCO, New Markets Venture Partners, True Ventures, DFW Capital Partners, Farragut Capital, NextGen Angels, CIT (VIPC), BluVenture Investors, Novak Biddle, Leeds Novamark, 1776, Early Light Capital, Private Access Network, Riverbend Capital, CAV Angels, K Street Capital, Select Venture Partners, ID Private Equity, Cranbrook Capital, Baltimore Angels, Pennington Partners, Blue Marlin Partners, VentureCross Partners, Berman Enterprises, Dingman Angels, Tysons Angels, Neuberger & Co. Ventures, Saratoga Investment Corp., McLean Capital, Angel Venture Forum, Brilliant Keypoint Investments, Paras Ventures, NextSteps Capital, Noblestar Capital, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Grindstone Partners, 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, Harrell Partners, Ruxton Ventures, Acceleprise, Fortify Ventures, Conscious Venture Labs, Amplifier Venture Partners, Boulder Ventures, Core Capital, and Keiretsu Forum.

EVENT PARTNERS

Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

DMPED - Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, District of Columbia

Tishman Speyer

The GW School of Business

GWU Technology Commercialization Office

GWU Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

NEXT, powered by Shulman Rogers

TEDCO

Association for Enterprise Growth

Truist Financial

NFP

New York Life

Baltimore Angels

Maryland Tech Council Venture Mentoring Services

Startup Grind

Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI)

Keiretsu Forum

Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative

Institute for Excellence in Sales

Wharton DC Innovation Summit

Founder Institute

Entrepreneurs' Organization

Center for Advancing Innovation

Ryan & Wetmore

KoBE

U.S. International Development Center (USIDC)

National Association of Business Owners and Entrepreneurs (NABOE)

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

Chairman, Clear Government Solutions

"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

"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

"What a great conference...There was a distinct energy and enthusiasm at your meeting, unlike the usual droll meetings like this. So well done."

John Holaday,

CEO, QRx Pharma

"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

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 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

President and CEO, Fairfax County Economic Development Corporation

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event? 

The International Square venue (1825 I Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20006) is located one block from the Farragut West Metro station and 3 blocks from the Farragut North Metro station. There are several parking garages and on-street parking around the building.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You can e-mail CONNECTpreneur Community Manager Skylar Rallison at srallisonopus8 [dot] com.

What's the refund policy?

All sales are final and there are no refunds. Any cancellations received before October 1, 2022 may be credited towards a future CONNECTpreneur Forum.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. Once you register on Eventbrite, you are good to go! We will send you a couple of confirmation email s in the days leading up to the event.

Can I update my registration information?

Yes

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

The “Service Provider” ticket is fully transferable. The Investor/Entrepreneur/CEO ticket is transferable only to another investor, founder or CEO. It is not transferrable to a service provider.

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 presentersopus8 [dot] com. We have a Committee review process for prospective presenting companies.

When are your next events?

2023 Calendar:

VIRTUAL EVENTS

April 27, May 31, June 29, July 27, August 31, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16, Dec 19

IN PERSON:

June 8 - Tysons Corner, VA

August - SummerFest - Rockville, MD

September 21 - Washington, DC

October - Baltimore, MD or Arlington, VA

November 2 - Washington, DC

December 18 - Tysons Corner, VA