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Welcome to SL #20! In this show, we dive into the inner workings of Georgia Tech’s TI:GER program. TI:GER is the only program of its kind to bring together PhD, MBA, and law students in the classroom and research lab to learn about the challenges of commercializing innovative technologies.

The “bus” is in fourth gear on this show. Scott uses both hands to push the various “pay-to-pitch” outfits under the bus (including the reading of a rather gifted, but incriminatory email). We also have a nice batch of your emails to round out a lengthy, but great show!

Note: This show was recorded back on December 20th, 2007, and was originally slated to be published just before Christmas. Due to some technical difficulties, combined with our hectic schedule, we’re finally getting around to publishing it. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with holiday music in February!

Sponsors for this episode:
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Shownotes and Interview Questions:

1. Give us the 30-second elevator pitch about TI:GER
2. Talk about being a woman in technology entrepreneurship. Did you face any unique challenges?
3. Explain what TI:GER is?
4. What are TI:GER’s goals?
5. How many businesses/teams are participating in TI:GER right now?
6. Why did you want to get involved?
7. You’ve got a business plan contest coming up. Can you tell us about it?
8. Can you name a couple of businesses or technologies that started out in the TI:GER program and continue to operate or be important today?
9. Can you talk about some of the more interesting businesses you’ve worked with in the TI:GER program?
10. Has the private equity (venture capital) community gotten involved (or shown any interest in getting involved) with TI:GER?
11. How easy or hard is it to get students involved in TI:GER? Is there a lot of student demand for the entrepreneurial career route or life experience?
12. What are the most important lessons that the students take away from the program?
13. How unusual is the TI:GER program? Are you aware of other universities or colleges that have similar programs?
14. What do you think are the most valuable things that the TI:GER participants get out of the experience?
15. How does being in academia change your view on the entrepreneurial process?
16. If you had to pick one book on entrepreneurship to recommend, what would it be?
17. Are there opportunities for people in industry to get involved in TI:GER?
18. Do you get opportunities to engage in the entrepreneurial community outside of TI:GER?
19. What are your views on the Atlanta early stage environment?
20. Is there a view among your GA Tech colleagues on what industries are particularly attractive or are going to be attractive for early stage capital?
21. Are you seeing interest within TI:GER for pursuing or promoting greentech/cleantech businesses?
22. Are you seeing interest within TI:GER for pursuing or promoting so-called Web 2.0 businesses?

Tune in to find out!
Guest Bio:

Kathleen Kurre is a Lecturer at the College of Management of Georgia Institute of Technology and the Executive-in-Residence of its Interdisciplinary Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ILE).

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, Kathleen began her career in computer technology. Her passion emerged quickly: creating systems that connect imagination with reality.

After having held analyst and manager positions at Kentucky Fried Chicken, PNC Bank and KPMG, and senior management positions at Humana Inc. and Aegon Corporation, Kathleen formally stepped into the creative world of entrepreneurship by joining Healthcare Recoveries, Inc. (HRI), a venture capital backed healthcare, technology services company, where she became CEO after senior management positions in Sales, Customer Services and Operations. Following the sale of HRI, Kathleen became CEO of Intellego, a venture capital backed clinical informatics company.

Today, at Georgia Tech, Kathleen teaches an undergraduate Impact class, directs the Georgia Tech Business Plan Competition and teaches in TI:GER, a graduate level commercialization program. Additionally, she is President of Fusion Advisors, where she works with individuals and organizations as they integrate mind, body, spirit and emotions for success.

Miscellany:
Enjoy! To play it, use the tools at the top of this post – you can play it via the embedded Flash player by pressing the big play button at the top, or download it to play on your computer or MP3 player.

Links referenced within this episode:

• Georgia Tech’s TI:GER Program
• Chrysalis Ventures
• Adams Capital
• Chrysalis Ventures
• Angus Mcrae Insurance Brokerage Services
• Baker Donelson (Technology Intellectual Property)
  
• ATDC (Advanced Technology Development Center)
• PeachPodStudios
• Slingshot Product Development Group
• Southern Capitol Ventures
• Web.com

Podsafe music used within this episode:

• Sundial by Bill Derome
• I Heart Thanksgiving by Robert Lund
• By the Hammer of Thor, Ben Base
• All the Money in the World by Hutch

Our format is a little out of the norm as far as podcasts go. We treat our efforts as a true “show” rather than a super-concise (limited) vehicle for delivery of information. Therefore, the podcasts can run a bit long (actually, it is largely driven by the guests and their responses.) While we try to have very substantive discussions, we also try to have a lot of fun along the way (and that tends to elongate the programming a wee bit.) Our theory is that if we are having fun during the show, hopefully, you will be having a little fun listening as well.

Here is the breakdown for the show, in case you want to hop around.

A special thanks to Kathleen Kurre for coming in and hanging out with us!

We welcome your continued feedback as well! If you have an interest in appearing on the show, becoming a show sponsor (hint, hint), have some suggestions for topics, have feedback, or would just like to email us and tell us to “shove off”, we invite you to contact us.

And don’t forget – the StartupLounge.com message forums are a great resource for fast-growth entrepreneurs. If you need help with any aspect of your venture, we welcome you to jump in and get the help you need!

Enjoy!