Rockefeller and The State Journal To Host Forum on Venture Capital
State Journal 2/11/02
By Jim Balow
Washington - U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W. Va. and The State Journal recently announced they will host a forum on venture capital in March. The West Virginia Forum on Technology & Innovation will focus on growing West Virginia's business community through venture capital investment. The March 1 forum at the University of Charleston is Rockefeller's third in West Virginia.
Raymond Lane, general partner of the nation's top venture capital firm - Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Beyers - will present the keynote address He is the former president, and COO of Oracle Corp. and a graduate of West Virginia University.
"Ray Lane brings home a lifetime of hands on experience as an entrepreneur, chief operating officer and a venture capitalist, Rockefeller said.
"Te fact that he is from Wet Virginia allows him to look at our state with a uniquely local perspective. Venture capital is more than just financially supporting an idea. It is fostering the creativity and economic development at a grass roots level," Rockefeller said.
There is a great need for venture capital initiatives in West Virginia, which hold the key for new economic development is about taking risks and see through on the potential of an idea," he said.
"Supporting West Virginia's entrepreneurs gives our state the advantage of fostering untapped industries."
Lorenelle White, publisher of The State Journal, said she is excited about the weekly business newspaper's involvement in the forum.
"This is the first time The State Journal has co-hosted this event and we are honored to be bringing it to Charleston with Sen. Rockefeller," White said.
"The forum's message of growing the state's venture capital resources is very much in line with our readers' interests and with The State Journal's mission to provide West Virginia's business community with the tools and information necessary to grow the state's economy," she said.
The West Virginia Forum on Technology and Innovation was created by Rockefeller in 2000.
It is a state wide initiative to promote awareness, long-term visions and strategies to allow West Virginia to meet the challenges of a technology - driven global economy.
The forum will begin on March 1 at 9:30 a.m. in Riggleman Hall of the University of Charleston.
