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Launch Pad Fourth Edition: Web Meets World

The Opportunity
At this year's Web 2.0 Summit, we are once again changing up the Launch Pad program. Last year we broadened our focus from new company or product launches to the process of acquiring venture funding. That approach was quite successful, and we plan to continue it, but this year we're shifting the very nature of the presenting companies themselves. For Launch Pad 2008, the focus will be on startups in the fields of alternative energies, social entreprenuerialism, microfinance, developing economies, political action, renewable technologies, and the like. We'll be particularly interested in where these companies display significant cross over with the web, of course, but this will not be required.

Similar to last year, there is no fee for companies involved, instead, our VC panel will be sponsoring the program.

The Approach
Launch Pad Fourth Edition: Web Meets World will follow the judging process from last year, with the only change being that the VCs involved will come from both Internet and Green backgrounds.

• The judging panel will be comprised of six or so venture capitalists who will review Launch Pad companies as if considering them for funding.
• Judges will select up to eight finalists, that will be given ten minutes each, to pitch themselves on stage, in front of the entire Web 2.0 Summit audience and the VC judging panel.
• Each company will be provided feedback on its presentation in real time, by both the VC judges and the audience.
• The VCs may, at any time, offer these applicants non-binding term sheets for financing.

Entrants do not need to launch their company or major product/service to qualify. Instead, those that apply will be reviewed by our panel of venture capitalists. If they make the first cut, they will pitch their company in front of the Web 2.0 Summit audience—the top executives, financiers, press, and analysts in the Internet industry. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote, along with the VC panel.

Participating VCs will be announced shortly, but will include Chris Albinson of Panorama Capital, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, and Mike Goguen of Sequoia Capital.

Terms and Conditions

• All entries are free of charge and are kept strictly confidential, to be reviewed only by Launch Pad staff and VCs.
• VCs may offer terms to those applicants they deem consistent with their investment approach and requirements, but there is no requirement to do so.
• VCs can have multiple judges assigned to the review process, but are allowed only one panelist at the Launch Pad presentation.
• Every VC has the right to review every applicant, but the obligation is to review only one-sixth of them. The applications will be sorted and administered by the Launch Pad producers and delivered to the VC judges.
• If a term sheet is offered and accepted prior to the event, all parties agree not to announce until Web 2.0 Summit in November.
• All VCs on the panel are equal. No one is more advantaged (weighted) than another.
• The entire process will be covered under a mutual NDA to protect all parties.
• All participants agree to appear onstage during the Launch Pad session, to present their company as if pitching for funding.

Complete the submission form to submit your company or product to be considered for this year's Web 2.0 Summit Launch Pad. All submissions are due September 10.

All submissions are confidential, and will only be seen by Web 2.0 Summit Program Chair and staff, and the Launch Pad advisory board and sponsors. Please note that final determination of Launch Pad companies will be made by John Battelle, Web 2.0 Summit's Program Chair, in concert with an advisory board of noted entrepreneurs, VCs, and industry analysts.

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