Launching in Silicon Valley

Xavier VerdaguerInnovalley, Inc.

January, 2011

@xavierverdaguer

Index

• Introduction. Background

• Why I decided to come to Silicon Valley?

• Myths and Realities of Silicon Valley

• The biggest challenges of my move

• Reasons to be an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley

• Factory of innovation. Tech + Content

• Founded in 1997. With 2 VC (1.5 + 7.4 MM Eur)

• + 50 employees

• Tech transfer agreements with 11 Universities

• Offices in Barcelona, Madrid & Dubai

• Clients: Deustche Bank, JCDecaux, NH Hoteles, ...

11 years

Innovalley, Inc.

FASHION + TECH = SMART APPAREL

@innovalley

• Innovation company in smart clothing

• 100% American company founded in January 2010

• 4 strategic partners (Ideas + R&D + Soft + Fashion)

• First round of funding

• 3 product lines. Patenting

• Its own e-commerce platform and B2B clients

• One of the 25 top-ranked startups (Innovate2010)

11 months

Time is Gold

The Silicon Valley Ecosystem

1. Stanford University

2. Talent

3. Entrepreneurial Culture

4. Venture Capital

5. Networking

6. Top Companies

7. Quality of life

Myths and Realities

• Very competitive environment> Yes, but with equal opportunities for all

• Very informal environment> In respect to style, but carefully planned

• Substantial legal barriers> Yes, some, but salvable with good help

• All is achieved through Networking> Almost everything, but it must be done properly

Networking

1. Explain your project clearly and concisely

2. Talk to everyone and at any place or time

3. Do not be overly protective with your ideas

4. Never be dismissive of anyone

5. Be humble and sincere

6. Be patient

7. Be generous

In search of gold...

• The largest concentration of investors in the world

• Strategic sectors: ITech, BioTech, CleanTeach

• Money is expensive at the moment

• Consciously prepare a Pitch + Business Plan

• Value = IQ + IP (Intelligent Quotient + Intellectual Property)

• Creativity

The biggest challenges of my move

• Found the company

• Legalize my situation

• Find a place to live/work

• Hire staff

• Partnership and commercial platform agreements

• Fundraising

Reasons to be an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley

1. Because there are plenty of opportunities

2. Because there is a Positive Mental Attitude

3. Because there is so much to learn

4. Because it’s fun

5. Why not?

creativity center

www.imagine.cc

Xavier VerdaguerInnovalley, Inc.

xavi@innovalley.us@xavierverdaguer

www.xavierverdaguer.com