Have a Life Science Elevator Pitch? Our panel of investors will judge it.

By Robert P. Baker
On Monday, November 12, at the Venture Association New Jersey (www.vanj.com) Elevator Pitch Olympics, a panel of investors will hear 2-minute presentations from entrepreneurs seeking venture financing and provide instant feedback on their effectiveness and fundability. For the first time, presenters will include only representatives of Life Science, Healthcare and Medical Device companies.
            The Elevator Pitch Olympics will be held at the Marriott Hanover, Whippany, NJ. From 10:00AM to 12:00AM, as many as 30 entrepreneurs seeking early stage and growth capital will have an opportunity to showcase their companies at an exhibit attended by Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists (VC’s). At 1:30PM, following a luncheon attended by other potential investors, exhibitors will then present their elevator pitches.
An elevator pitch is a short presentation made by an entrepreneur raising money for a venture. The term describes a pitch short enough to be given during an elevator ride, which may be the entrepreneur’s only chance to talk with a potential investor. Just as in the real Olympics, the judges will hold up their scores and give points ranging from one to ten in the categories of quality of presentation and business fundability.
 Following the Elevator Pitch Olympics, the exhibits will reopen from 3:00PM to 4:00PM for additional networking. Exhibit spaces are available for a fee of $500 each and a few are still available. Only exhibitors are eligible to make Elevator Pitches.
The panel of investors will be moderated by David J. Sorin, Esq., Managing Partner, SorinRand LLP (www.sorinrand.com), a law firm combining high quality lawyering with a businessperson’s practical, results-oriented sensibility to meet the needs of emerging growth and middle market enterprises.  A number of investors have been invited to participate as panelists and the following have been confirmed:
John K. Clarke, Managing Partner, Cardinal Partners (www.cardinalpartners.com)
Rajeev Dadoo, PhD, Partner, SR One (www.srone.com)
Brenda Gavin, Partner, Quaker Partners (www.QuakerBio.com)
Debbie Hart, President, BioNJ (www.BioNJ.org)
Martin Kratchman, Managing Partner & Founder, HealthPro BioVentures LLC (www.healthprobioventures.com)
Noah J. Kroloff, Partner, NGN Capital (www.ngncapital.com)
Zev Scherl, General Partner, NewSpring Capital (www.newspringcapital.com)
Entrepreneurs wishing to exhibit and make an elevator pitch can obtain an entry form by calling Clara Stricchiola at (973) 631-5680, faxing (973) 984-9634 or e-mailing [email protected]. Reservations for the luncheon can be made by contacting Clara and mailing a check ($50 for members, $75 for non-members) to VANJ, Box 1982, Morristown, NJ 07962-1982. Registrations must be received at least 7 business days prior to the event and must be prepaid. Reservations received after Tuesday, November 6, will be considered door registrations for a charge of $100 each.