You heard it right!  We are offering all inaugural sessions of FundingUniversity for free to entrepreneurs who are interested in learning from the best experts in each field on how best to present themselves for funding.

There is a small catch…space is limited to 20 students.  We will select the 20 individuals based on their application.  Consideration is given to those who have an idea and/or an executive summary and need the extra boost from the knowledge gained in the class.

FundingUniversity is a 7 week boot camp for entrepreneurs where you can learn the ins and outs of putting together a top notch business plan, financial statements, and ultimately, how to pitch to investors.  Each of the modules will be taught by experts in their respective field.  An added bonus will be to sit in on a Baltimore Angels pitch meeting to learn first hand what Angels look for and pass on.

Want to apply to attend the upcoming FundingUniversity beginning on September 21?

Over the next several weeks, the startup scene in Baltimore will take center stage. Flanking each side of the next CrowdPitch and SpeedPitch, entrepreneurs will have more opportunities to meet with investors at Tech Crawl East and GBTC’s TechNite.

Tech Crawl East, in its 2nd year, will be held on September 16th at 5:30pm at the Morgan Stanley building in Harbor East. As per the website, www.TechCrawlEast.com, a Tech Crawl is a one-evening event that brings together innovative early stage technology companies from across the East Coast. The primary goal of a Tech Crawl is to support the growth of technology companies by providing an opportunity for them to give 60 second pitches to investors, media and other technology businesses. This is an annual event where, year after year, companies will return with new and exciting products and services to demo. FundingUniverse is excited to help bring investors from our network to the event!

In its 21st year, GBTC is hosting TechNite on October 7 at 5pm at the Baltimore Convention Center. New this year is their “Hottest Tech in Town” competition where 15 of the hottest tech companies in the Baltimore/Washington DC region will be featured in front of the 600+ attendees. The deadline to enter the competition is fast approaching on August 20. Have a new and hot technology? Enter here for a chance to win a great prize package from FundingUniverse and PayPal/BillMeLater!

Of course this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning FundingUniverse’s upcoming events.  On September 29th at 6pm, location TBD, FundingUniverse will be holding another CrowdPitch! Want to pitch? Click here. Spectating is always free and is what makes the event successful. Click here to RSVP to spectate. On September 30 at 11:30am, we will be holding Baltimore’s first SpeedPitch event at ETC. This is a non-spectator event, so unless you are chosen to pitch, please do not attend. SpeedPitch is like speed dating for the Angel world. Ten entrepreneurs will get 4 minutes to pitch one-on-one to 10-20 investors before moving to their next table. Want to pitch? Click here to apply!

Please make sure to go to the PiPAC website (http://www.pipacusa.org) to submit your letter of support for HR 5864 – an angel tax credit for investing in ALL early stage companies.

HR 5864 is different from the Van Hollen Bill which only applies to angel investments in government backed companies and is simply Government trying to lead the way.

Conversely, HR 5864 sponsored by Joe Sestak will provide the tax credit across the board for ALL start up investments, not just limited to companies that the government already invested in and wants to unload on the public. Government should NOT be leading the way when it comes to investing!

Please write your congressman (click on this link below for a pre-written letter) and tell him/her to support HR 5864 which is a bill that will actually help the economy.

Seven Week Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs is scheduled to begin on July 28!

Are you a budding entrepreneur and have the next big idea but don’t know where to start?  Perhaps you’ve drafted your business plan, but don’t know how to navigate the rough terrain of finding money?  Maybe you’re in good shape all around but want to network with other entrepreneurs and find experts in certain fields to help you move to the next level in your business?

FundingUniversity is a 7 week boot camp for entrepreneurs where you learn from experts in various fields on topics relating to starting your own business.  Do you know how to write a business plan?  What information should be discussed in a business plan?  Should you look for debt or equity investments?  Still trying to get that elusive meeting with an angel investor?  We’ll discuss all this and more as we prepare you to become a successful entrepreneur!

July 28, Session 1:  Business Plans and Problem, Solution, Business Model & Market

August 4, Session 2:  Management Teams

August 11, Session 3:  Traction and Competition

August 18, Session 4:  Financial Modeling

August 25, Session 5:  How to Land a Meeting

August 31, Session 6:  Pitching (Please note date change!)

September 8, Session 7:  Investment Offerings and Term Deals

Class will be held at at ETC Canton, 2400 Boston Street, 3rd Floor from 6-8pm on Wednesdays.  Sessions are subject to change order based on speaker availability.

Class space is limited to 10 students.  Cost is $499/person.  Email Monica.Beeman@FundingUniverse.com to reserve your space!

As per a BMore Media article published June 22, 2010

What do you get when you take the setup for a television talent show, that includes a panel of judges and audience, but replace the singers, dancers and comedians, with entreprenuers? The result isFundingUniverse’s CrowdPtich, which was hosted by Towson Global last Wednesday at Towson University.

Billed as the “American Idol for entrepreneurs,” CrowdPitch offers selected technology-based entrepreneurs 4 minutes to pitch to both a panel of business experts and a live audience of 60 to 80 spectators. The winner is selected based on the number of votes received from the audience and the panel of judges that included, Dave Troy, Baltimore Angels; Rick Faint, Evergreen Capital; Laura Gamble, Skipjack Partners; and  Adam Suri, Maryland State Department of Economic Development.

Some 55 companies applied to participate in the free event, but only 5 were selected, ArtiNNet Corp., MYiLIVE. Port Networks, Tots2Tweens, and WinTheTrophy. The winning company receives more than $8800 worth of services, including  startup services and Amazon: web service  from FundingUniverse and is also profiled in the company’s newsletter that goes out to 120,000 subscribers.

FundingUniverse also offers the companies a pre-CrowdPitch coaching session, one of the most beneficial aspects of the experience for entrepreneurs, says Monica Beeman, regional director for FundingUniverse Maryland.

“ArtiNNet won CrowdPitch. The company, VoicePath, won with its voice-activated security software for cellphones. It has 99 percent accuracy rate, which is greater than AT&T, Verizon and the government have at this point. He won because he has a couple of contracts in the works with some big name companies,  is working on Apple iPhone and Android apps, and is just going forward full strength. He’s also incredibly personable.” Beeman says.

On Thursday, FundingUniverse also held BankPitch. Much like CrowdPitch, it offers selected entrepreneurs interested in debt financing four minutes to present their company to area bank representatives. Then the banks have four minutes to explain their services to the entrepreneurs. Representatives from PNC Bank, M&T Bank, Columbia Bank, TD Bank, Citibank and Wachovia Bank participated in the event.

“It’s beneficial for both sides because we prescreen the companies and only select companies that have FICO scores of 700 or greater, have been business for two years or more, and have revenues of $100,000 or more. For the banks it’s beneficial because they’re getting six companies in front of them that have been pre-screened and they can tell them what the bank is about in the hopes of building a relationship with the entrepreneur,” Beeman explains.

“The entrepreneur is looking for debt financing and a bank to do business with. They want a banking relationship with someone who will go to bat for them,” she continues.

The winner is chosen based on which company the bankers think is most fundable and the most lilely to get a loan or other type of deal.

“Port Networks won BankPitch and rightfully so, because they were much more a debt deal than equity. We were intrigued by their service and their business model. The provided a very accurate and thorough executive summary which made a huge difference when we were making our decision. They didn’t need a huge amount of money, but they provide WiFi to residential and commerical locations at much cheaper rate than Comcast or Verizon. It’s $30 a month with no contract,” says Beeman.

The remaining companies don’t leave empty handed, however. After the winner was selected several banks indicated their interest in forming a banking relationship with the remaining companies or indicated that they would refer them to other organizations that could help them find the funding they sought.

With the success of CrowdPitch and BankPitch, FundingUniverse will soon begin offering a new service in Maryland, FundingUniversity. The 8-week bootcamp teaches entrepreneurs everything they need to know to get their company started. The course will cost about $500.

“We teach them how to decide if they’re company should be debt or equity financed, how to prepare a balance sheet and all the numbers they need to present to investors, how to pitch an investor and bank, and everything else they’ll need to know,” Beeman explains.

“We want to make Baltimore the startup capital of the East Coast. To make it a place where people can come to for the resources they need to start a business,” Beeman says.

FundingUniverse, a national leader in preparing and matching entrepreneurs to sources of capital, is expanding to the Baltimore, Maryland area. Local entrepreneur Monica Beeman, CEO of Vines to Vino and former FundingUniverse client, will head the new office as Regional Director.

“Baltimore’s combination of intellectuals and financial resources makes our community a hotbed of entrepreneurship,” said Beeman. “I’ve seen great thinkers and willing investors that just don’t know how to find each other. FundingUniverse makes those connections happen.”

FundingUniverse prepares entrepreneurs with funding process education and business, marketing and financial evaluation. FundingUniverse also holds idea pitching events, providing real-world experience. Once entrepreneurs are prepared, the company helps them navigate today’s tight credit markets by leveraging the most advantageous sources of capital, including bank loans, government programs and partnerships.

“The business savvy and intellectual energy of Baltimore is easy to recognize,” said Brock J. Blake, CEO of FundingUniverse. “The area is positioned for exciting entrepreneurial opportunities. FundingUniverse is proud to help facilitate that growth and contribute to the local economy.”