5th Annual Central Valley Venture Forum

With questions, opinions, and data abound regarding the economic challenges and opportunities that California and the local Central Valley economy face over the next year, the Central Valley Fund, together with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, believe now to be an especially opportune time to gather experienced financial professionals and entrepreneurs in an informal setting for the 5^th Annual Central Valley Venture Forum. This year's event will follow on prior years' successes by featuring a diverse set of panels and discussions that cover topics current to business owners.

Included in the agenda are a panel of experts discussing how to value a business in a post-crash environment, another panel allowing professional capital providers to offer entrepreneurs a window into what they look for in investment opportunities, and a third providing perspectives from a noted local economist, Lon Hatimaya, on the Central Valley and its economic outlook over the next 24 months. The Key Note address, to be delivered by Steve Westly, co-founder of eBay and venture capitalist, will explore a burgeoning investment theme in the Central Valley and California: the Clean Tech sector. Bringing the conference to broader macro-economic issues and developments, the topic of "Fixing California" headlines a lunchtime address by Bill Lockyer, California State Treasurer.

Lastly, the Valley Entrepreneur Showcase offers an opportunity for growing companies in the Central Valley to be judged by an esteemed panel of successful entrepreneurs, capital providers, and consultants. Several of the winners and finalists have gone on to raise capital as a result of their presentations. Entrepreneurs interested in applying to present should do so directly on the conference website.

The conference will be held November 18^th, 2010 from 9AM-4PM at the Rex Phebus Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis, with registration beginning at 8:30AM.  A wine & cheese reception from 4-5 PM will conclude the event. The early registration is $60 per person (prior to November 1^st), increasing to $75 thereafter. To register, please visit www.ValleyVentureForum.com.

Many are aware of the general implications of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, otherwise referred to as the Dodd-Frank Bill or Financial Reform Bill.  Some may not be aware that one such limitation included in the Dodd-Frank Bill focuses specifically on limiting the ability of banking institutions to invest in private equity funds (Section 619, commonly known as the Volcker Rule).  As part of its fundraising efforts for The Central Valley Fund II ("CVF II"), the team at CVF sought to extend the partnership of the Fund with a critical portion of its investor base being threatened by the Volcker Rule - local, regional, and national commercial banks.

Thanks to the efforts of our Central Valley political leaders, CVF II will have the ability to retain commercial banks as investors.  In particular, we would like to acknowledge Congressman Jim Costa and Congressman Kevin McCarthy for their invaluable roles in helping to make the case in Washington.  These individuals each understood the important role that banks should continue to play in helping CVF II to provide much-needed capital to lower middle market businesses in the Central Valley and surrounding regions.