Published
Friday, March 31, 2000 in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Venture capital star bringing act to
Cities
There are going to be a lot of men begging one woman for money next month.
Silicon Valley Internet star Ann Winblad will be returning to her native Minnesota on April 14 to hold court in front of 30 Twin Cities entrepreneurs in need of venture financing. Each entrepreneur _ 29 of the 30 are men _ will get 60 seconds to make an ``elevator pitch,'' as if he had the good fortune to be riding up the IDS Tower with an influential investor.
Completing the female power breakfast in an industry still dominated by men is Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota's secretary of state, who will join Winblad on the dais, although the state isn't doling out any money.
Winblad runs a $500 million venture capital firm, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, which she founded 11 years ago with former NBA player John Hummer. Winblad's former boyfriend, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, recently became a limited partner in her firm.
Hummer Winblad has invested in several well-known names in the so-called new economy, from Pets.com to NetGravity. In Minnesota, Winblad is an investor and board member of Eden Prairie-based Net Perceptions, one of the state's most successful Internet firms.
More than 350 people will attend the sold-out breakfast in Bloomington, put on by NetSuds.com, a Twin Cities organization which sponsors events where investors and entrepreneurs can mingle. The presenters, selected by NetSuds CEO Matt Noah, include executives from such firms as Smackeroo, Agiliti and I-Acquire.com.
Still, you may be able to take some dot-com buzz to Minnesota, but you can't replace Midwestern sensibility. Despite the prospect of snagging millions in venture funds, several participants have bristled at the $50-a-person breakfast tab.
``Well, you're not coming for the food. The eggs are never that good,'' Noah said.
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