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  • Edinburgh E-club

    18 November 2009
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  • Table of contents:

    1. Reminder of three great upcoming events!
    2. Next Silicon Valley Speaker Series: Reddit's Alexis Ohanian on Wednesday, Nov. 25
    3. Final Silicon Valley Speaker of 2009: Sean Foote on “The Rise of Microfinance”

  • 1. Reminder of three great upcoming events!

    Dear E-clubbers!

    There are only three events left this calendar year. The first is a panel discussion on IPR: Innovation vs Copyright next Monday, November 23, followed by two fantastic Silicon Valley Speaker Series Events. All events are followed by a drinks reception. There is no need to register; just show up!

    Panel Discussion on IPR: Innovation vs Copyright
    Monday 23 November 2009, 17:30-21:00
    Lecture Theatre 1, Business School, 7 Bristo Square

    Come to this panel discussion to hear a range of views about the issues surrounding innovation v copyright. This event is held jointly with the Bathwick Group (www.bathwickgroup.com/cw)

    Speakers
    Professor Dave Robertson, Head of School, Informatics
    Professor Charlotte Waelde, Edinburgh School of Law
    Matthew Dixon, Partner, Harrison Goddard Foote
    Hugh Gill, Director of Technology and Operations, Touch Bionics
    Scottish Enterprise representative

    Of all the technology-related (or more specifically, Internet-related) issues that have generated media coverage over the past few years, few have created more heat and light that those centred on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Although complex in practice, IP legal frameworks are based on a simple premise - the protection of a commercial or artistic invention or creation of the mind for the benefit of its creator.

    The legal frameworks that exist to protect intellectual property are based on a bargain between the creator and society. Patents create a legal time-limited monopoly to exploit the property involved. In return, the creator must disclose the invention or creation in full, for the benefit of society (increasing the world's knowledge and creating a platform for further invention). Similarly, copyrights provide protection for (mostly artistic) IP - a protection which lasts rather longer than a patent.

    The two core elements involved from our perspective - technology patents and content protection - address quite different issues. The first - technology patents - is of interest to those that innovate in the growing fabric of technology infrastructure. The second is about protecting the right of an artist to protect and exploit their creations for effectively their whole life.

    Further details at: http://bathwickgroup.com/cw/downloads/Edinburgh%20overvie...

  • 2. Next Silicon Valley Speaker Series: Reddit's Alexis Ohanian on Wednesday, Nov. 25

    "Building and Growing an Internet Startup" with Alexis Ohanian
    Wednesday, 25 November 2009, 18:30-21:00
    Lecture Theatre 1, Business School, 7 Bristo Square

    In this Silicon Valley Speaker Series talk, Alexis will discuss the founding and growth of his internet startup, Reddit. Reddit was incubated by the infamous Y Combinator, which operates a bootcamp-style startup school. How influential was this to his startup and what role did it play? What can our young aspiring internet entrepreneurs learn to increase their chances of success? More information on Y Combinator

    More about Alexis:

    After graduating from the University of Virginia in June 2005, Alexis Ohanian started Reddit.com with Steve Huffman. A history major, he has found countless opportunities to use his knowledge of post-WWII German history while cofounding an Internet startup. A "social" news website, Reddit lets readers - not editors - decide what goes on the front page by simply voting content up or down. The model has proved popular thus far, as roughly seven million people visit Reddit a month.

    His night job is a company he started called breadpig, an uncorporation that uses its profits from creating and selling geeky things to fund relevant and interesting non-profit projects. These have included starting a street RockBand band (that is, a group of guys who click plastic Rock Band instruments), LOLmagnetz (magnetic poetry in LOLspeak), and a bunch of geeky t-shirts.

  • 3. Final Silicon Valley Speaker of 2009: Sean Foote on “The Rise of Microfinance”

    Wednesday 2 December 2009, 18:30-21:00
    Lecture Theatre 1, Business School, 7 Bristo Square

    In this Silicon Valley Speaker Series talk, Venture Capitalist Sean Foote will discuss the meaning of Microfinance, its impact, and its future. Sean will delve into what opportunities exist for entrepreneurs in this new space.

    From Wikipedia: “Microfinance refers to the provision of financial services to low income clients, including consumers and the self-employed.” Many of these clients are in previously untapped markets, such as the third world. Wikipedia's take on it.

    About Sean Foote:

    Mr. Foote has been a venture capitalist investing in early stage companies since 1998, including cleantech companies Solaicx and Integrated Photovoltaics, SaaS company Green Border (sold to Google), and materials companies Eoplex Technologies and Integrated Materials, Inc. Previously, Mr. Foote was a management consultant with Boston Consulting Group and a systems engineer for AT&T Bell Laboratories.

    He is philanthropically interested in microfinance, serving as board member of Silicon Valley Microfinance Network and a Trustee of Freedom From Hunger, as well as education, as co-founder of Community Promise ("You graduate high school, we'll pay your California college tuition"). He is Chairman of the Development Council of Entrepreneurs Foundation, a non-profit organization that engages high growth companies in corporate citizenship and philanthropic efforts, and sits on the Advisory Board of Silicon Valley Bank's Private Client Services.

    Mr. Foote is on the Professional Faculty of the University of California-Berkeley's Haas School of Business where he teaches two courses: Venture Capital & Private Equity, one of the most highly sought classes at the school, and Microfinance, which is simulcast to over 30 college campuses around the world, including 13 of the top 20 U.S. MBA programs.

    Mr. Foote received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla (1988), and his MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business (1993), where he received the Shermett Award granted to the top 3% of students. He is a middling singer/songwriter (www.myspace.com/seanfoote) and an avid triathlete and sailor.

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