July 17, 2003

Panel Discussion Topic:
Managing Burn Rate for Success in 2003
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Companies are being required to reduce their burn rate and extend their runway today.
Come listen to a select group of VCs share their perspectives on how companies have been successful in managing their burn rate through offshoring, outsourcing, reducing head count, automating and managing operations more efficiently.

Moderator:
Dr. Rafiq Dossani, Advisor, East Gate Capital Management

Speakers:
Sanjay Anandaram, Founding Partner, Jumpstartup
Winston Fu, General Partner, USVP
Joanna Rees Gallanter, Founder & Managing Partner, Venture Strategy Partners
Ajay Gandhi, Principal, Crimson Ventures

Panelists will provide their insights into the following areas:

1. What do you mean by burn rate?
2. How are companies managing their burn rate today compared to 2-3 years ago?
3. Why is there so much pressure with respect to reducing burn rate?
4. VCs today are looking at this factor as a deal breaker - why?
5. What strategies are working today (depending on sectors) in managing burn rate?
6. Why are more and more companies outsourcing and offshoring?
7. How does a company go about evaluating their options in this respect?
8. Before cutting headcount, what other measures can a company take to manage their burn rate?
9. Companies need to invest in technology and people in order to see long-term benefits and this applies to managing burn rate too. What is your perspective?
10. What case studies do you know that demonstrate companies that have been successful in managing burn rate?
    

Date: July 17, 2003

Place:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304

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