Honorary Award Winners

Sal Buccieri & Founders' Awards

The Sal Buccieri Venture Memorial Impact Award

The Sal Buccieri Memorial Venture Impact Award is awarded to an individual in the venture capital and entrepreneurial community who exemplifies the passion towards seeing early stage entrepreneurial opportunities succeed and flourish. This individual is one who has clearly impacted early stage technology and fast growth venture opportunities by providing the essential capital, extensive counseling and necessary vision to allow such companies to win in today’s competitive environment. The recipient of this Award is one who strives to create a better environment for all so that entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and attain success.

The Sal Buccieri Memorial Venture Impact Award is named in memory for Salvatore Buccieri. Sal passed away in December 2000 after a hard-fought battle with cancer at the age of 39. Sal was a partner at Arthur Andersen in the Growth Company Practice that he joined in 1984 after graduating from Drexel University. He worked extensively throughout his career assisting early stage companies with financial and business issues. Sal was closely involved with Early Stage East and is missed by all.

2005 Recipient – John Martinson

Mr. Martinson is founder and Managing Partner of the Edison Venture Fund. He founded the company in 1986, which has financed more companies in NJ, PA, MD, and VA than any other private equity firm. Edison has raised $420 million and is currently raising their sixth fund. As Managing Partner, Mr. Martinson shapes overall investment strategy and leads the organization. He mentors rising investment professionals and assists the general partners in growing their regional and industry practices. Also, Mr. Martinson actively leads Edison’s investments in information technology companies serving the pharmaceutical industry and education. He made multiple investments in application software serving the drug industry, customer relationship management, education, human resources, manufacturing and enterprise solutions. As a board member, he contributes expertise in strategy, marketing and business planning. Mr. Martinson is a director of 10 Edison investments including three in the Boston area.

Mr. Martinson has guided many venture industry networking organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. He has served on the Board of Directors of 40 companies. He is past Chairman of both the National Venture Capital Association and the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group. He served as director for eight years at both organizations. He is co-founder and former Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Fair and founded the New Jersey Venture Fair. He is a frequent speaker at an entrepreneurial events, technology conferences and financing seminars.

Mr. Martinson has his BS in Aeronautics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, his MS in Astronautics from Purdue University and his MBA from Southern Illinois University.

2004 Recipient – Frank A. Bonsal, Jr.

Frank Bonsal is a well-known and highly regarded venture capitalist with significant experience in helping start-up companies become successful. Mr. Bonsal is a co-founding partner of New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the largest venture capital firms in the United States. Since founding NEA in 1978, he has focused on the development of its early stage companies.

2003 Recipient – Howard Ross

Howard Ross is a founder and currently a partner in LLR Equity Partners, L.P., a $260 million private equity fund. From 1984 to October 1999, he was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP, in-charge of that firm’s Growth Company Practice in the Greater Philadelphia marketplace.

2002 Recipient – Stephen M. Goodman

Stephen M. Goodman is a partner in the Business and Finance Practice of the Philadelphia office of Morgan, Lewis LLP and is co-chairman of the firm's worldwide Technology Practice Initiatives. His legal practice focuses on representing emerging growth companies. He coordinates all aspects of the representation of such companies and concentrates his practice on legal aspects of corporate finance and acquisitions.

2001 Recipient – Frederick J. Beste III

Fred Beste has never had a real job. His career began in 1968 with Greater Washington Investors, Inc., a publicly-held venture capital firm, where he was Vice President and Treasurer. He then joined Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, a private venture, capital development firm, where he was Vice-President and, ultimately, President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund in 1984 as the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of its first general partner.

The Early Stage East Founders’ Award

The Early Stage East Founders’ Award is awarded to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment, leadership and support of the venture capital community as a whole. This individual is committed to the growth of the overall venture capital community and has shown a belief in and commitment to this region in the development of venture capital and entrepreneurial activity.

2004 Recipient – R. Christopher Klemm, Ph.D.

R. Christopher Klemm, Ph.D. has helped plan and implement Early Stage East since its inception. He was instrumental in developing the model for the Conference as well as the Coaching Session. Christopher has served as the leader of the Coaching Session for Early Stage East and the Bio-Life-Tech Conferences for the last two years, as the Coaching Co-Chair. Christopher is the Director of The Center for Technology Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington, in Seattle.

2003 Recipient – Senator Thomas Carper

Tom Carper became Delaware’s junior Senator in January, 2001, this after serving two terms as the state’s Governor, five terms as it Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives and six years as State Treasurer. As Senator, he has become a member of the Senate Democratic Leadership. As a member of the four person “Executive Committee” Senator Carper has emerged as a leading moderate voice in his party, advising the Leader and helping to devise, coordinate and implement strategy for the Democratic caucus. Senator Carper served in the Navy for five years as a Naval flight officer during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Naval Reserve after 18 years as a Captain. Senator Carper has been a part of Early Stage East, in both his roles as Governor and Senator since it inception.

2002 Recipient – M. Scott Albert

M. Scott Albert has been involved with Early Stage East as the conference’s North Carolina Ambassador since its inception in 1998. Mr. Albert, with over ten year experience in the venture capital industry, is currently responsible for most of the information technology investments as General Partner of The Aurora Funds Inc. Mr. Albert is the co-founder of The Aurora Funds, a leading venture capital fund located in North Carolina investing in early stage life science and information technology companies, primarily in the Southeastern United States.

2001 Recipient – Warren V. “Pete” Musser

Warren V. “Pete” Musser is Founder and former Chairman of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE). Mr. Musser led Safeguard Scientifics since its inception in 1953 and has helped guide hundreds of companies towards success. He has both financially and with his time and energy supported community activities, education, and the arts. Mr. Musser serves on a variety of civic, educational and charitable boards of directors including Boy Scouts of America, The Eastern Technology Council, and as chairman of the Pennsylvania Partnership on Economic Education.