Venture Capitalists, Entrepreneurs, and Thought Leaders Converge on Silicon Valley to Discuss International Investment in a Turbulent Economy

STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sixth Annual Global Technology Symposium at Stanford University, the West Coast’s premiere investor conference on technology and venture investing in emerging markets, will be held at Stanford’s Arrillaga Alumni Center in Palo Alto, California, on March 26-27, 2009.

“Globalization is important, now more than ever. Free trade globally will be one of the major factors that can rejuvenate the economy. The Global Technology Symposium brings great entrepreneurs from all over the world together to discuss ways we can work together to make the world richer and freer”

The Symposium brings selected international business, finance, political, and technology leaders to the Stanford campus to discuss ways in which the technology sector can seize the opportunities of globalization.

The 2009 Symposium will feature a keynote address by T. Boone Pickens and will focus on the theme of “entrepreneurship and investment in a turbulent economy.” Panels will focus on the economic downturn, global supply chains, green tech, intellectual property, and national competitiveness.

Other speakers include venture capitalists Bill Draper of Draper Richards, Mark Gorenberg of Hummer-Winblad, Pitch Johnson of Asset Management Company, and Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, as well as corporate leaders such as Dan’l Lewin of Microsoft, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, and Lip Bu Tan of Cadence, and thought leaders such as former U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell and Tina Selig of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program.

In addition, this year’s Symposium will kick off with a business plan competition on the evening of March 25, 2009 hosted at the Plug and Play Tech Center, a business incubator in Sunnyvale. The winning company will receive the 2009 Global Technology Symposium Top Innovator Award, as well as the opportunity to meet with top global investors. Qualified start-ups can submit business plans for consideration by visiting www.globaltechsymposium.com.

“Globalization is important, now more than ever. Free trade globally will be one of the major factors that can rejuvenate the economy. The Global Technology Symposium brings great entrepreneurs from all over the world together to discuss ways we can work together to make the world richer and freer,” said Timothy Draper, Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson and veteran speaker at the Symposium.

Alexandra Johnson, President of the Symposium, added: “The Global Technology Symposium at Stanford provides a much-needed platform for several hundred thought leaders from business, academia, and the governments of several countries to identify the most promising opportunities for fundamental and lasting change.”

The 2009 Symposium is organized in conjunction with the Stanford School of Engineering, the San Francisco Global Trade Council, and the U.S. Polish Trade Council and is sponsored by Microsoft, CMS Cameron McKenna, DFJ VTB Aurora, Yandex, Atlas International Partners, CzechInvest, Grid Dynamics, IBM, and Mirantis.

Interested parties may register for the Symposium at www.globaltechsymposium.com.

About the Stanford Global Technology Symposium

The Global Technology Symposium at Stanford was founded in 2004 to cultivate a transatlantic network of business people and policymakers interested in Russian technology in response to the Silicon Valley's interest in international investing and Russia's desire to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas. The Symposium has since broadened its focus to other key emerging market technology corridors. Its format encourages substantive and interactive dialogue among participants.

For more information, go to www.GlobalTechSymposium.com.

Editors Note: Contact Michal Habdank to register for a press badge or to schedule an interview at 1.650.302.1209 or by email at [e-mail].