Panel of Investors, Your Judges

We’ve assembled a renowned group of investors to work with StartupNation to select the Top 5 winners from among the 100 most voted-for Elevator Pitch contestants. You must be one of the 100 most popular pitchers to be considered by the judges.

These judges’ firms collectively manage well over $1 billion designated for early stage investing. The Top 5 winners will have the coveted chance to make complete, one-hour online presentations to the these investors using GoToMeeting. While the investors are not obligated to make an investment, they’ve assured us that they’re hunting for great opportunities to fund.

It’s all part of how StartupNation is trying to ensure that worthy entrepreneurs get access to serious, real investors with the ability to provide all the necessary funding for business success.

If any such investments are made, they will be extensively publicized by StartupNation for the benefit of the entrepreneurs and their businesses as well as to educate aspiring entrepreneurs on best practices in raising money.

Now, let’s meet the Judges:

Alex Gove Walden VC (a.k.a. Mr. “Harvard Magna Cum Laude”)

He’s passionate about entrepreneurs and venture capital. That’s why he wanted to be a judge and get a first look at the winners. His firm has backed some of the most recognizable brands in digital media, software and e-commerce.

Dorothy Pavloff California Technology Ventures (a.k.a. Ms. “Tech Investing In Her Sleep&rdquo);

She’s a back-easter with a west coast fund that gets cozy with their entrepreneurs. Yeah, she’s got the MBA plaque on the wall, but she’s most proud of the portfolio of young companies she’s helped succeed over the years. She’s “smart money,” folks.

Andre Turenne D.E. Shaw Ventures (a.k.a. Mr. “Mountain of Money”)

He’s a top exec at the VC unit of a global investment and technology development firm with approximately $25 billion in aggregate capital. He looks at technology-related companies across all stages of development, from seed through expansion capital.

Sergio Monsalve Norwest Venture Partners (a.k.a. Mr. “Years of Operating Experience”)

He invests based on his years of experience in marketing, product management, business development, and sales and finance. He’s focused on investments in the software, internet, and media sectors. (Also a Harvard guy.)

Robert Simon Alta Partners (a.k.a. Mr. “Loves Startup Investing”)

He’s all about investments in startups that are attacking  one of the following five markets: networking, semiconductors, mobile applications, medical devices and enterprise software and services.

Piers Cooper Kalmund Capital (a.k.a. Mr. “Lots of IPOs”)

He has over 10 years of experience in technology investing.   He is currently a Partner at a private family VC/Private Equity fund. He’s been a Partner at several funds prior to the role he fills today. A number of his investments have had successful IPOs and acquisitions generating hundreds of millions of dollars in value.