History
Serving those who invest in America's entrepreneurs
Purpose
The National Association of Seed and Venture Funds is an organization of innovation capital leaders: private, public and non-profit organizations committed to building their local economies by investing in local entrepreneurs.
History
NASVF began in 1993 as an ad-hoc group of practitioners seeking the best models to encourage capital formation in their states, particularly for new technology ventures. These founders continued to meet each year and in 1997 formally incorporated the group as a not-for-profit named the National Association of State Venture Funds. The name was changed in 2000 to reflect the Association's expanding service to private sector funds and programs.
Annual Meetings
Networking is a key benefit of the Association, and the Annual Conference is our most important networking event. Participants share their knowledge of the seed and venture capital industry and discuss the best strategies and tools for building and managing strategic investment programs and institutions. Newly formed organizations receive the benefit of different viewpoints, while established organizations track new approaches and resources. Participants meet with professionals from outside their local networks, making one-on-one contact with specialized practitioners and discussing new methods of facilitating capital formation. To register for the Annual Conference, or get more information please visit our Annual Conference web site.
Discussion & News
The sharing of information among members and the discussion of common issues is facilitated through the Annual Conference, the weekly NASVF NetNews newsletter, connections through our Member Directory, an electronic mail list, and consultations with our staff.
Training Programs
The Association offers training events to help members build their local networks and improve their productivity.
Our seed investing seminar, Seed Investing as a Team Sport, introduces prospective seed investors and entrepreneurs to the ins and outs of technology business investing and provides effective methods for working together as a team. Participants learn practical tools for identifying, analyzing, pricing, structuring and negotiating seed investments. The curriculum utilizes intensive workshops and video taped lectures from national experts, while providing plenty of time for Q&A and networking among participants, local professionals and the sponsoring members.
We offer our seed investing seminar at each Annual Conference. Special seminar events may be arranged upon request.
Policy Research
NASVF research projects provide members with an analysis of best practices for both state-supported and private venture capital programs. These resources help communicate to public and private stakeholders, and the public at large, the importance of entrepreneurs in creating wealth and jobs, the role of seed and venture capital in serving entrepreneurs, and how states can facilitate the investment process.
Consultation
When requested by members, the Association provides consultation on an individual basis regarding matters of program structure, investment policy and systems of management.
New Services
The Association exists to help its members succeed. Let us know how we can be of service to you.