As the recession and bailout have pushed this year's federal budget deficit to an unheard-of $1.6 trillion, an unpleasant reality has dawned: Taxes are going up. The only questions are when, how much, and for whom?See also: Barack Obama's Tax Policies
The answers depend on the shifting sands of wealth politics and the scope of health-care revision. "But everybody thinks that by 2011 tax rates will be higher, at least for those with higher incomes," says Thomas Ochsenschlager, a tax official at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
This certainty turns traditional tax-planning logic upside-down. Taxpayers have long been advised to defer taxes as long as possible, especially by making contributions to tax-sheltered IRAs and 401(k)s or holding assets for years in order to postpone realizing gains.
Now taxpayers should reconsider this rule. The current top capital-gains rate of 15% on most assets is the lowest in living memory and the Obama administration has proposed raising it to 20%. Another proposal might tack on a 4.5% surtax for the wealthiest taxpayers. So it may make sense to realize long-term gains now, says Robert Gordon, who advises clients on sophisticated tax matters at Twenty-First Securities in New York....
Sabtu, 10 Oktober 2009
Tax Increases Expected by 2011
Higher Taxes Are Coming. Are You Prepared? Wall Street Journal, September 13, 2009:
Rabu, 30 September 2009
Birmingham Angel Network Selects 5 for Presentation Pool
Last week the Birmingham Angel Network had our 3rd Quarter screening meeting along with this months Birmingham Entrepreneur meeting.
It was a big crowd at innovation depot that came to hear Roddy McKinney speak about how he grew Satellites Unlimited into a major player in the TV market and no one was dissappointed. Mr. McKinney has a great charm and wit that was on full display, along with a deep knowledge of sales and how to grow a business.
Following the speech, we had a great group (including several new members) stay to evaluate the business plans. After over an hour of review, we finally voted to accept a slate of five companies into the presentation pool including:
1. The Manning Group, LLC
2. Facilitaire, Inc.
3. Strawfire, LLC
4. AlwaysHD, Inc., and
5. Innovative Products, LLC DBA Tattoo Armor, LLC.
Those companies will be assigned mentors and we look forward to following their growth and hearing more about them at future meetings.
There were a couple of other companies that we decided to call and work with a bit in hopes that they can resubmit or maybe participate in an open offer in the future.
Finally, we had some updates on previous presenters and look forward to following their progress in the future, which we hope to formalize with a "Company update" section of our BAN newsletter.
As always, if you would like to become a member, please feel free to fill out an application and forward it on to any of our board members.
It was a big crowd at innovation depot that came to hear Roddy McKinney speak about how he grew Satellites Unlimited into a major player in the TV market and no one was dissappointed. Mr. McKinney has a great charm and wit that was on full display, along with a deep knowledge of sales and how to grow a business.
Following the speech, we had a great group (including several new members) stay to evaluate the business plans. After over an hour of review, we finally voted to accept a slate of five companies into the presentation pool including:
1. The Manning Group, LLC
2. Facilitaire, Inc.
3. Strawfire, LLC
4. AlwaysHD, Inc., and
5. Innovative Products, LLC DBA Tattoo Armor, LLC.
Those companies will be assigned mentors and we look forward to following their growth and hearing more about them at future meetings.
There were a couple of other companies that we decided to call and work with a bit in hopes that they can resubmit or maybe participate in an open offer in the future.
Finally, we had some updates on previous presenters and look forward to following their progress in the future, which we hope to formalize with a "Company update" section of our BAN newsletter.
As always, if you would like to become a member, please feel free to fill out an application and forward it on to any of our board members.
Kamis, 17 September 2009
2010 Southeast Venture Conference - Feb 24-25, 2010
Join the 2010 Southeast Venture Conference in hosting some of the most dynamic high-growth companies in the Southeast, Feb 24-25, 2010 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
The Fourth Annual Southeast Venture Conference will feature market relevant investor and executive panels, exclusive networking opportunities, featured speakers and dozens of the region's top private technology firms presenting to a national audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors.
The Southeast Venture Conference highlights both early stage and later stage investment opportunities from: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC.
The sold-out 2007, 2008 and 2009 SEVC’s held in Research Triangle Park, NC, Tysons Corner, VA and Atlanta, Georgia respectively featured over $80 billion in private equity investment capital represented in attendance.
Click here to see a sampling of some of the 2009 investor attendees.
Who Attends the SEVC? Close to 1000 of the region’s leading Entrepreneurs and High Growth Company Executives (from Startups to Pre-IPO), National Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Professionals, M&A facilitators and other leading professionals serving the high growth technology community.
The Fourth Annual Southeast Venture Conference will feature market relevant investor and executive panels, exclusive networking opportunities, featured speakers and dozens of the region's top private technology firms presenting to a national audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors.
The Southeast Venture Conference highlights both early stage and later stage investment opportunities from: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC.
The sold-out 2007, 2008 and 2009 SEVC’s held in Research Triangle Park, NC, Tysons Corner, VA and Atlanta, Georgia respectively featured over $80 billion in private equity investment capital represented in attendance.
Click here to see a sampling of some of the 2009 investor attendees.
Who Attends the SEVC? Close to 1000 of the region’s leading Entrepreneurs and High Growth Company Executives (from Startups to Pre-IPO), National Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Professionals, M&A facilitators and other leading professionals serving the high growth technology community.
Rabu, 26 Agustus 2009
Startup Professionals Musings: Ten Keys to an Investment-Grade Business Plan
Startup Professionals Musings: Ten Keys to an Investment-Grade Business Plan
Thanks to Glenn Kinstler for pointing this one out ( http://www.alabamalaunchpad.com/ ).
Very good bullet point post on the elements of a good pitch and probably something I will provide to our BAN presenter pool.
Now go build something.
Thanks to Glenn Kinstler for pointing this one out ( http://www.alabamalaunchpad.com/ ).
Very good bullet point post on the elements of a good pitch and probably something I will provide to our BAN presenter pool.
Now go build something.
Senin, 24 Agustus 2009
Entrepreneurial Edge - In a Recession, Angel Investors Are a Little Less So - NYTimes.com
Entrepreneurial Edge - In a Recession, Angel Investors Are a Little Less So - NYTimes.com
Interesting article about some of the current issues facing both startup companies and their backers.
It's probably worth noting that here in Birmingham, I know of one VC firm that has recently raised a new fund and another VC group that has a portfolio company IPO planned in a couple of weeks, so things aren't completely grim.
Now get out there and build something.
Interesting article about some of the current issues facing both startup companies and their backers.
It's probably worth noting that here in Birmingham, I know of one VC firm that has recently raised a new fund and another VC group that has a portfolio company IPO planned in a couple of weeks, so things aren't completely grim.
Now get out there and build something.
Rabu, 19 Agustus 2009
Tech Venture Conference 2009 - Call for Presenting Companies & Sponsors
TECH VENTURE CONFERENCE 2009 We are seeking the best startup and emerging technology companies from throughout the southeast to pitch and demo their innovations.
PRESENTING COMPANIES APPLICATION https://tampabayceo.wufoo.com/forms/presenter-application/ * Application Deadline is September 25, 2009
ABOUT TechVenture Conference 2009 connects entrepreneurs and executives of startup and emerging technology companies from throughout the Southeast with venture capitalists, angel investors, corporate buyers, economic development agencies, technology transfer professionals, university researchers, incubators, media, successful entrepreneurs and premier service providers. Whether you are an investor seeking access to new deals, or a CEO or Founder of a new venture looking for funding, visibility and growth, TechVenture Conference is one event you won’t want to miss.
WHEN/ WHERE Monday, November 16, 9:00am – 8:00pm Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa, 211 N. Tampa Street, Tampa 33602 SPONSORED BY University of South Florida College of Business, USF Center for Entrepreneurship, Bayshore Solutions, How Do You Innovate?, TechDrawl, Shotput Ventures, Startup Florida, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine, TechLoaf
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Receive significant exposure for your part in making TechVenture Conference 2009 possible. Numerous marketing materials will be distributed in anticipation of the conference Sponsors receive exposure through: print advertising, web presence, email marketing, direct mail, booth space, program book, and on-site recognition.
Request sponsorship information: https://tampabayceo.wufoo.com/forms/request-conference-information/ TechVenture Conference 2009 is a non-profit 501c(3) entity Conference website: http://www.TechVentureConference.org
PRESENTING COMPANIES APPLICATION https://tampabayceo.wufoo.com/forms/presenter-application/ * Application Deadline is September 25, 2009
ABOUT TechVenture Conference 2009 connects entrepreneurs and executives of startup and emerging technology companies from throughout the Southeast with venture capitalists, angel investors, corporate buyers, economic development agencies, technology transfer professionals, university researchers, incubators, media, successful entrepreneurs and premier service providers. Whether you are an investor seeking access to new deals, or a CEO or Founder of a new venture looking for funding, visibility and growth, TechVenture Conference is one event you won’t want to miss.
WHEN/ WHERE Monday, November 16, 9:00am – 8:00pm Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa, 211 N. Tampa Street, Tampa 33602 SPONSORED BY University of South Florida College of Business, USF Center for Entrepreneurship, Bayshore Solutions, How Do You Innovate?, TechDrawl, Shotput Ventures, Startup Florida, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine, TechLoaf
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Receive significant exposure for your part in making TechVenture Conference 2009 possible. Numerous marketing materials will be distributed in anticipation of the conference Sponsors receive exposure through: print advertising, web presence, email marketing, direct mail, booth space, program book, and on-site recognition.
Request sponsorship information: https://tampabayceo.wufoo.com/forms/request-conference-information/ TechVenture Conference 2009 is a non-profit 501c(3) entity Conference website: http://www.TechVentureConference.org
Minggu, 16 Agustus 2009
Angel Networks doing some networking (and growing)
Ok, so there have been a ton of developments since the last update.
1. There is a strong push to put together a North Alabama Venture Club sponsored by and modeled after the Birmingham Venture Club.
2. In addition to the Huntsville, Shoals and Birmingham Angel groups there are groups trying to form in Decatur and Mobile.
3. The Hunstville Angel Network and one of the group's companies has set a great presedent of active syndication among the other Alabama networks by presenting on a cooperative basis to the Shoals, Birmingham and a core of the forming Decatur group.
4. The Birmingham Angel Network had four companies present at the last meeting resulting in at least 6 different member investments.
Also, there will be a 2009 Technology Innovation Awards Summit at Hudson/Alpha celebrating Rotary Leads Together's award as this years winner for information technology.
All for now.
1. There is a strong push to put together a North Alabama Venture Club sponsored by and modeled after the Birmingham Venture Club.
2. In addition to the Huntsville, Shoals and Birmingham Angel groups there are groups trying to form in Decatur and Mobile.
3. The Hunstville Angel Network and one of the group's companies has set a great presedent of active syndication among the other Alabama networks by presenting on a cooperative basis to the Shoals, Birmingham and a core of the forming Decatur group.
4. The Birmingham Angel Network had four companies present at the last meeting resulting in at least 6 different member investments.
Also, there will be a 2009 Technology Innovation Awards Summit at Hudson/Alpha celebrating Rotary Leads Together's award as this years winner for information technology.
All for now.
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