Seven Reno companies set to present at VC conference

Seven early-stage Reno companies are among the 24 that have been selected to make a pitch to venture capitalists at the annual Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference in Reno.

The event sponsored by Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Golden Capital Network and the Sierra Angels is Oct. 22-23 at The Siena Hotel Spa Casino.

Representatives of about 50 venture capital and angel investing firms from the West Coast and Mountain West are expected to be scouting for investment opportunities at the conference.

Reno companies that have been selected to present include:

* Nanolife: nutritional supplements using a natural liposomal nanotechnology to deliver nano-vesicles for the efficient oral delivery of vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and vegetable substitutes directly to the bloodstream.

* Sitez: a brandable white-labeled social networking technology.

* Universal Combustion Technologies: A patented extremely efficient combustion technology.

* Buyers Insurance: automated insurance closing for real estate agents and mortgage brokers.

* Isotome: a socio-academic networking platform for interactions between students and faculty members.

* S.two: hardware and software technologies that enable movie and television companies to capture at film resolutions on digital film and then immediately review or go to postproduction in an all digital workflow.

* New Gardens: aeroponic cultivation of artisanal tomatoes for the gourmet restaurant market.

Dave Archer of Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology said last week a few slots remain for presenting companies, but the final list will be nailed down by the middle of this week. (For presentation guidelines, go to www.ncet.org.)

Selected entrepreneurs will have 10 minutes to present their company and will distribute one-page sheets that summarize their concept. They'll pay $700 to mingle with monied folks.

Also scheduled during the venture capital conference are an entrepeneur's boot camp seminar and a day-long seminar on effective angel investment in start-up companies. Both seminars focus on the nitty-gritty of venture capital investments due diligence, valuations, analysis of investors' term sheets and the like.

Presenting companies, sponsors and exhibitors will be presenting an entrepreneur's showcase during the event. It's designed to provide information about the services young companies need as well as networking opportunities.