VC Taskforce Announces Agenda and Hospitality Sponsor for 2013 Innovation Catalyst Award Event

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2013) - VC Taskforce™, an organization committed to enhancing collaboration in the venture community, today announced the event agenda and the hospitality sponsor for its 5th Annual Innovation Catalyst Award (ICA) gala, which this year will be honoring software venture capitalist Ann Winblad. The ICA event, which will take place October 23, 2013 at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, recognizes venture community leaders for being catalysts of innovation and entrepreneurship

This year's agenda will include a fireside chat with Ann Winblad and renowned venture capitalist and entrepreneur Heidi Roizen, with the chat focused on women leaders. The keynote presenter will be Steve Nachtsheim, Trustee, University of St. Thomas. Other presenters include Mitchell Kertzman, Managing Director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners; and Mark Gorenberg, Managing Director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

New to the program this year is a Silent Auction. The auction will feature a wide variety of items and will include one-of-a kind "experiences" that aren't otherwise for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the silent auction will go to support two of Ann's charities: Girls Who Code, an organization working to close the gender gap in the technology and engineering sectors, and Girls Innovate!, an organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting visionary leadership among women and girls.

Hospitality sponsor for the second year in a row is SVB Financial Group, the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, and long term partner to the most innovative companies in the world as well as the premium wine industry. As part of its sponsorship, SVB Financial Group will be offering wines from Charles Krug Winery. Now under the guidance of Peter Mondavi Sr., Charles Krug -- the first winery in Napa Valley -- was established in 1861. Janice Mondavi and daughter Alycia will represent Charles Krug. Janice is the wife of Marc Mondavi, the son of Peter Mondavi, Sr.

The cost of the gala is $250 per person or $450 for two tickets and includes fine wines and exquisite hors d'oeuvres throughout the evening. Sponsorships are available at $25,000 (Chairman Sponsorship), $15,000 (Executive Sponsorship), $10,000 (Associate Sponsorship), $6,000 (Hospitality Sponsorship) and $3,500 (Friends Sponsorship).

Advance reservations are required and tickets can be purchased in advance. For information about the gala or a sponsorship, contact June Riley at june@vctaskforce.com. Gala tickets can be purchased on the website, www.vctaskforce.com.

About the Innovation Catalyst Award
VC Taskforce established the ICA in 2009 with the purpose of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions made by visionary leaders in the investment community. In 2012, VC Taskforce honored the Draper Family. Over three successive generations, the Drapers invested in and grew hundreds of start-up companies, many of which have become household names, such as Activision, Hotmail and Skype. Bill Draper also established the DRK Foundation to help launch entrepreneurial-minded not-for-profit CEOs. Matt Flannery, KIVA CEO, is one of those and was a presenter last year. Winblad will be the 5^th recipient of this prestigious Silicon Valley award.

About VC Taskforce
"Enhancing collaboration in the venture community"
Founded in 2001, VC Taskforce is primarily an educational organization that provides forums for real-time information exchange and dialogue through a series of networking events, panels, keynote discussions, workshops and roundtable meetings conducted by investors and business and industry experts that support venture capitalists, institutional investors, angels, companies looking for funding and venture-backed company executives in managing their businesses for maximum success. Visionary thinking, uncensored questions and opinionated discussions around pressing issues that face members are hallmarks of events. Today, more than 15,000 members and participants have been actively involved in VC Taskforce. www.vctaskforce.com.