How VCs, Angel Investors, and Ordinary People Are Investing in Emerging Technologies of the Future (workshop)

About This Workshop

Good, bad or indifferent, if you are not investing in new technology, you are going to be left behind. -- Philip Green

We're living in an age of unparalleled disruptive change. The technologies that will carry us into the next era (the Fourth Industrial Revolution) will upend every sector of society globally and will, undoubtedly, offer opportunities to build exciting and lucrative new companies and businesses models. No one knows how this will all play out, but this much is true: technology creates new opportunity.

JOIN US for this special, interactive workshop featuring guest instructors, Christina Bechhold (VC at SamsungNEXT) and Eugene Lewis (Advisor at Republic), as we explore the evolving landscape of startup investing and how VCs and Angel Investors are thinking about and investing in the next generation of disruptive startups, and how new laws, uncertain times, and an insatiable drive for global innovation is creating a perfect storm for anyone to potentially make a lot of money in the near future.

What Will We Cover In This Workshop?

AI, machine learning, blockchain, smart cities, driverless vehicles and flying cars, VR/AR, 3D printing, drones, life-extention technologies -- So many disruptive technologies, so little time!

Among other things, Christina and Eugene will cover your most need-to-know questions about how investors are thinking about the future. Who is investing in what, where are the opportunities and the land mines, and how can ordinary people who don't have a fund behind them, or a lot of money, or investor accreditation, invest in the disruptive startups developing technologies of the future?

Some of the questions and topics to be discussed will include:

Which technologies are more ripe for investing and which ones are possibly overhyped?
What exactly are the "problems of the future" that emerging tech startups of today are trying to solve?
How can people participate smartly in supporting emerging tech startups and educate themselves on the new "consumer investor" models and what is the difference between these new investor models like: Crowdfunding (like Kickstarter), Blockchain Token Crowdfunding, Equity Crowdfunding (like Republic), and others.
How is the frenzy around certain emerging technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles changing the investor landscape?
Are we in an AI-bubble? How are top investors separating AI hype from AI reality?
How are big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Samsung NEXT Ventures (among others) spurring investment in emerging tech startups by launching their own funds? Should we look to them for a sign on where, and in which technologies, to invest our money
What types of startups is Samsung NEXT looking for in the VR/AR, IoT, AI, space
How should we be thinking about technologies that will not only disrupt industries, but likely cause mass technological unemployment? How are VCs thinking about this?
Where's the best place to get started for ordinary people who want to start investing in emerging technologies?

Prerequisite

No technical experience required. This is a non-technical workshop meant for everyone: marketers, advertisers, developers, engineers, product managers, investors, data analysts, students, policy wonks -- all are welcome! You may find these articles informative and interesting:

Samsung’s $150 Million Bet to Find the Next Big Startup (SamsungNEXT Ventures - interview with Christine Bechhold)
Why a Group of AngelList and Uber Expats Launched This New Crowdfunding Website (Republic)
The Initial Coin Offering, the Bitcoin-y Stock That’s Not Stock—But Definitely a Big Deal (Blockchain VC)
Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era: How to Prosper in an Age of Unprecedented Innovation (Book)

Agenda

6pm - 6:15pm - Sign in, enjoy lite bites and beverages
6:15 - 6:20 - Introduction, Tech 2025 announcements, sponsor acknowledgement
6:20 - 7:00 - Guest instructor presentations
7:00 - 8:50 - Interactive group exercises and problem-solving
8:50 - 8pm - Final thoughts and Q&A

Guest Presenters

Christina Bechhold is a Principal at Samsung NEXT Ventures.

She's based in New York, focused on early stage investments in software and services, particularly in mobility, IoT and fintech.

She is also Co-Founder and Managing Director of Empire Angels, a member led angel group of young professionals investing in technology startups with a focus on supporting young entrepreneurs.

Christina is a Regular Contributor for the Wall Street Journal on startups and small business, a columnist for Inc.com, a mentor at The Brandery and Venture for America and a member of VFA’s Rise Committee focused on increasing diversity in entrepreneurship. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at events in the U.S., Europe and Asia, a TEDx speaker, and was recognized by the New York Business Journal as a 2016 Woman of Influence.

Follow Christine on Twitter: @CMBechs / LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2pKlF1x

Eugene Lewis, Advisor, Republic

At Republic, Eugene he helps startups navigate their Form C filings, enhance pitches and develop new ideas and marketing plans to connect with investors.

Before joining Republic, Eugene was the first member of the origination & due diligence team of iCapital Network, a fintech platform, backed by Credit Suisse and BlackRock, that streamlines access to alternative investments, such as private equity and hedge funds. In shaping investment products in this new team, his primary focus was to identify fund managers, build out analytical tools and due diligence information for HNW investors and advisors, and financial intermediaries . He completed a number of large placements from investors into private equity funds including Khosla Ventures, Apollo, and Landmark. Eugene was also responsible for sourcing the first broker-dealer relationship at iCapital Network.

Eugene started his career in private equity at Hamilton Lane and Oppenheimer & Co. Eugene received his BA from NYU, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and pursued graduate studies in Chinese Economics at Cambridge University. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan.

Republic is an equity crowdfunding platform spinoff of AngelList, focused on founders using technology to make the world a better place. For founders, Republic has created a network of engaged investors and tools to help amplify audience and develop new relationships. For retail investors, our platform provides access to highly curated startups at a low investment minimum, and invest in diverse founders. Women founders received 76% of the funds raised on our platform.*

*as of 4/20/2017

Awesome Workshop Sponsor

We partner with innovators to build ideas into products, grow products into businesses and scale businesses that leverage and transform the Samsung ecosystem.

We started in 2013 on a mission to create breakout software and services and foster a startup culture at Samsung. What began as a small group has since become a global organization working to realize this vision in close partnership with innovators everywhere. Each of our partners share our passion for building deeper connections and seamless experiences to inspire the world and create the future.

Read about their new initiative:Samsung’s $150 Million Bet to Find the Next Big Startup

Follow Samsung Next in social -- Twitter: @SamsungNEXT / Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qEDfEi / Instagram: http://bit.ly/2qF4MWg