Early Stage East History

Early Stage East has grown from a single day Venture Conference to a year round series of events. Read our history to see how we have grown into a successful company that produces sell out events and provides entrepreneurs and investors a meeting place to increase networking opportunities and learning experiences.

1998
The first Early Stage East Venture Capital Conference was held in June at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware . This was the first time Early Stage East was featured in TechCapital Magazine. This was the year where Blackboard (NASDAQ: BBBB) an enterprise software company presented in seeking their early rounds of funding. Was the first company to receive Venture Capital through their Early Stage East activitie. Blackboard is now one of the worlds leading e-education companies. Over 350 people attended this event when only 250 people where expected. This was when we knew we had the right formula for success.

1999
This year then Governors Tom Carper of Delaware and Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania came together at Early Stage East to promote the region as an Entrepreneurial Power House. This year’s Keynote speaker was Michael A. Daniels, Chairman, Network Solutions, Inc. Early Stage East’s opening reception was at Longwood Gardens. Although it rained inside the glass conservatory over 1000 guests where in attendance.

2000
By the time Early Stage East’s 2000 Conference opened it had earned a highly respected reputation. The investment and entrepreneurial communities were buzzing. Walter W. Buckley, III, President & CEO, Internet Capital Group provided the Keynote address. Matthew Pittinsky, CEO, Chairman & Co-Founder of Blackboard, Inc. received the Alumni Award.

2001
This year saw the expansion of more programs to benefit the attendees with Entrepreneurial Education: Building a Great Business made its debut. WarrenV. “Pete” Musser, Founder, The Musser Group was presented the Founders’ Award and Frederick J. Beste, III, Partner, Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund, was presented the inaugural Sal Buccieri Memorial Impact Award.

2002
For Early Stage East’s fifth anniversary a new venue was unveiled. The Conference was held for the first time at First USA Riverfront Arts Center. The Opening VIP Reception was held at the Juniper Bank Building where we set sail aboard the Kalmar Nyckel Tall Ship on the Wilmington Riverfront. Stephen M. Goodman, Partner, Morgan Lewis, LLP received The Sal Buccieri Venture Memorial Impact Award and M. Scot Albert, General Partner, The Aurora Funds received the Founders’ Award. Early Stage East adds a second Venture Capital Conference this year, the Bio-Life-Tech Conference.

2003
By now, companies that had participated in Early Stage East events had gone on to raise over $450 million in institutional funding. The Conference was also attracting investors representing an average of over $10 billion in institutional venture capital. The Sal Buccieri Venture Memorial Impact Award was present to Howard Ross, Founder & Partner, LLR Equity Partners. The Founders’ Award was presented to Senator Tom Carper of Delaware.

2004
Early Stage East was lead by two of the most accomplish female Venture Capitalist on the Eastern Seaboard, Andrea Kaufman, Partner, Novak Biddle Venture Partners & Tami Fratis, then General Partner, of Murex Investments. The keynote speaker for the event was Walter S. Mossberg, author and creator of the weekly Personal Technology column in the Wall Street Journal. The Sal Buccieri Memorial Venture Impact Award was presented to Frank Bonsal, Jr., Founder, NEA & Director Red Abbey Venture Partners. R. Christopher Klemm, Ph.D. was given the Founders’ Award.

2005
For the first time in 2005 Early Stage East was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Daymond John, President and Co-Founder, FUBU provided a sell out crowd with one of the most commanding the keynote address of all times. By this event companies that had participated in Early Stage East events had raised over $500 million in institutional funding. The Sal Buccieri Venture Memorial Impact Award was presented to John Martinson, General Partner, Edison Venture Fund. For the first time in 2005, a woman was awarded the Founders’ Award, this year’s winner was Suzanne M. Carney, former Executive Director, MAC Alliance.

2006
Early Stage East returned home in 2006 to the DuPont Country Club and Brantwyn Estate. Sam Calagione, Founder & President, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales provide the opening remarks & Sam Beiler, President & CEO, Auntie Anne’s, Inc. provide the keynote address. In addition to their keyote address they brought pretzels and beer. This year marked over 500 companies participating in Early Stage East events and $750 million raised in institutional funding. The winner of the Sal Buccieri Venture Memorial Impact Award was presented to Rob McCord, Managing Director, PA Early Stage Partners. The Founders’ Award was presented to J. Douglas Hazelton, Executive Vice President, Bank of America.

2007
This year Early Stage East is proud to be Celebrating 10 years of Innovation. To mark this special anniversary David Freschman will not speak. Kelly Perdew, “The Apprentice” will provide the keynote address. Companies that have participated in Early Stage East have raised over $1 billion in institutional funds.