• Michael Gale
• Website: 
  gramercype.com
• Position: 
  Managing Partner
  Gramercy Private Equity 
• Contact:
   

Topic - The Changing Landscape of Venture

The landscape of venture is always changing. When one minute it's hot, the next minute it could be ice cold. So what can we expect from funding today? Join Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity as he gives an overview of the realities of the funding environment today, the notion of the "middle market" in angel funding, critical success factors for early-stage companies, and how the current funding environment is affecting entrepreneurs and startups. 

During this session, participants will learn:

• How and why the funding ecosystem goes through particular climate changes
• The issues of liquidity and transparency in the post-global financial collapse world
• The difference between funding in Silicon Valley and funding in Kansas City
• The low-down of where to find funding in the Kansas City market
• How to expand a company into international markets
• What his company, Gramercy Private Equity, is doing in the world of venture today

Bio

Michael has over 30 years of business, investment and managerial experience in the Asia-Pacific and US markets.

In 2001, Michael co-founded Gramercy Venture Advisors, a boutique investment bank focusing on the technology industry, digital media and sustainability. As CEO of Gramercy Venture Advisors, he has established the company as a leading merchant bank building business models, value chains and cross-industry partnerships on a global scale and led the development of Gramercy Private Equity, the PE arm of Gramercy that specializes in Special Purpose Private Equity Funds. Prior to the founding of Gramercy, Michael spent the previous eight years as CEO of Double Impact, a leading San Francisco based venture catalyst.

Michael has helped in the development, funding, growth and exit of over 100 early stage technology companies from around the world. He has extensive international experience in building, funding and managing start-up companies.

Prior to Double Impact, Michael was Managing Director of Macromedia's Asian operation during the three years leading to its very successful NASDAQ listing in December 1993.

As well as his involvement across the full range of activities at Gramercy Venture Advisors and Gramercy Private Equity and serving on the various group Boards and Investment Review Committees, Michael is also Chairman of Chat Ventures (New York) – www.chattheplanet.com and sits on the Boards of Qwidget Inc. (New York) –- www.qwidget.com and PEGG Holdings (IoM) the operating unit of PEGG Capital AG (FRA:PGU) – www.peggcapital.com Michael is also the founder of the not-for-profit global democracy site www.voteglobal.com