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.

Each year since the first Early Stage East Conference we provide a Coaching Session for presenting companies. The Coaching Session is held one month before each Venture Conference to ensure presenting companies of the Conference are well versed and prepared. Participating companies learn strategies from our coaches who are experts in the fields of venture capital and entrepreneurship.

In 2000, Early Stage East hosted its first VIP Golf Tournament. The event was such a success that it has become an annual event. Sponsors and friends of Early Stage East look forward to the golf outing each year. We play at some of the finest golf venues in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

In 2001, Early Stage East added its Entrepreneurial Education Program: Building a Great Business. The program was so well received in 2001 that it has been a staple of Early Stage East’s events ever since. The program features expert speakers and interactive workshops designed to help entrepreneurs build a great business. Our educational instructors are experts in the fields of law, marketing, management and accounting.

The year 2004 saw the addition of another program designed to benefit entrepreneurs and investors alike. The capital markets panel is an interactive dialogue with the investment community. It is comprised of a panel of venture capitalists and LP's who are experts in their fields. Past panel members include representatives from the American Stock Exchange, Janney Montgomery Scott, Morgan Lewis, Legg Mason Wood Walker and Anthem Capital.

1998
The first Early Stage East Venture Capital Conference was held in June at the du Pont County Club in Wilmington, Delaware. The Keynote Speaker for the event was Scott DeGarmo, an editor and publisher for several publications. Mr. DeGarmo is the former Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of Success magazine. Early Stage East’s 1998 Conference is where Blackboard (Nasdaq:BBBB) a enterprise software company presented in seeking their early rounds of funding. Blackboard is now one of the worlds leading e-education companies.

1999
Early Stage East’s second Venture Capital Conference returned to the du Pont Country Club in Wilmington. The Keynote Speaker was Michael A. Daniels, Chairman, Network Solutions, Inc. Mr. Daniels is a pioneer in the global internet industry. Longwood Gardens served as the year’s venue for the Opening VIP Reception.

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 about the opportunities awaiting them at Conference. Walter W. Buckley III, President & CEO, Internet Capital Group, provided the keynote speech. Mr. Buckley was Vice President of Acquisitions for Safeguard Scientifics prior to becoming President & CEO of the Internet Capital Group. Mr. Buckley led many of Safeguard’s investments through the mid-1990s.

2001
This year saw the expansion of even more programs to benefit attendees of the event. It was this year that Entrepreneurial Education, Building a Great Business made its debut. The program offers entrepreneurs the chance to learn from the most respected and knowledgeable venture capitalists, service providers and marketing experts. The Conference was held at the du Pont Country Club. Frederick J. Beste III provided the keynote speech. Mr. Beste has an extensive career as a Venture Capitalist and is widely published on the subjects of venture capital and entrepreneurship.

2002
For Early Stage East’s 5th Anniversary, a new venue was unveiled. The Conference was now being held at the First USA Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Delaware. The Opening VIP Reception was held at the Juniper Bank Building and aboard the Kalmar Nyckel Tall Ship on the Wilmington Riverfront. E. Rogers Novak, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, provided the welcoming speech.

2002 Bio-Life-Tech
With all the success of Early Stage East, a new Conference was developed. The year 2002 welcomed the popular Bio-Life-Tech Conference. It was held in the fall at the First USA Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Delaware. This event focused on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and health care industries whereas Early Stage East focused on internet technology, enterprise software and information technology. The Keynote Speaker of 2002s Bio-Life-Tech Conference was Leonard P. Shaykin, Chairman and CEO, NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc. The Opening VIP Reception was held at the Delaware Technology Park.

2003
Early Stage East 2003 was held at the Bank One Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. 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.

2003 Bio-Life-Tech
In November 2003 the Bio-Life-Tech Conference moved to Baltimore, Maryland. The Opening Reception was held at Camden Club, Orioles Park at Camden Yards. The Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency, Baltimore. C. Boyd Clarke, President, CEO and Chairman, Neose Technologies, wowed attendees with an amazing keynote speech. Mr. Clarke has an impressive history of leading innovative biotechnology companies. Neose Technologies is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the improvement of protein therapeutics through the application of its proprietary technologies.

2004
The 2004 Conference was held at the Bank One Center of the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The Opening VIP Reception was at the Hotel du Pont Gold Ballroom. The Keynote Speaker of the event was Walter S. Mossberg. Mr. Mossberg is the author and creator of the weekly Personal Technology column in The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Mossberg is a regular technology commentator for the CNBC network.

2004 Bio-Life-Tech
The 2004 Conference returned to the Hyatt Regency, Baltimore Inner Harbor in October. Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health and C. Boyd Clarke, Neose Technologies, Inc. provided the keynote speeches. The Opening VIP Reception was held at the Maryland Science Center on the Riverfront.