CONNECTING TO COMPETE
IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
A FORUM ON E-COMMERCE:
FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS
VISALIA CONVENTION CENTER
VISALIA, CA
June 5, 2002
Developing a thriving
Financial and Human Capital Infrastructure
In the Valley:
Terry Bibbens, Partner, AB&B
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• First, Silicon Valley has no corner on brains!
– I know, because I spent 25 years there.
– I’m a 3rd generation Californian, from Redding.
– I left Redding for “pre-” Silicon Valley in 1954
– No high-tech businesses in Redding.
• Silicon Valley does have a corner on networking.
– That is the subject of my dialog with you today.
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• Developing a Financial & Human Capital
Network:
– Takes leadership
– It is easy
– You are already doing it in the primary businesses of
San Joaquin Valley:
• Banks
• Attorneys and Accountants
• Mentoring
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• Yes, but how did Silicon Valley do it?
– Stanford University was catalyst—Dr. Fred Terman
– Industry leadership key to the SV Network:
Dave Packard & Bill Hewlett:
• For selfish reasons—they needed to grow HP
• Started networking when only had 500 employees
• Built local high-tech mentoring networks
• Philosophy: Rising tides raise all ships
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• What is the Silicon Valley Network?
– Entrepreneurial:
• Mentors—CEO/Marketing/Technical/Business
• Business groups—Chips/Biotech/Software/Military
• Sub-clusters—Specialties within industries
– Finance: Venture Capital/Angels/Lease/Banks
– Service: Attorneys/Accountants/Real Estate
– Educational: Research/Training/MBA
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• Where else are these networks? Why?
– Route 128 Boston: WWII
– Silicon Valley: Cold War
– Ben Franklin (PA): Governor/Legislature
– Res. Triangle Park: State & Univ. support
– Dublin, Ireland: Government
– Phoenix, AZ: Topsy: Then leadership
– Austin, TX: Good old boys of Texas
– San Diego: Dr. Richard Atkinson
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• What are the common ingredients?
– Universities—Permeable vs Ivory Tower
– Industry Leadership—Big picture; Long view
– Service Sector Support—Know industries
– Local Government Support—Easy to grow
– Cooperative Trade Associations—Mutual help
– Local Angel Investors—brings VCs
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• Why do it? Is it worthwhile?
– San Diego Story Interesting:
• End of Cold War was devastating—GD moved out
• No outside funding—or interest
• SD-EDC worked with Chancellor Atkinson
• UCSD-CONNECT became cheerleader
• Service providers funded effort
• World-class results—in less than 15 years!
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
From: Developing High-Technology Communities:
San Diego [Office of Advocacy, SBA, March 2000]
San Diego Cluster Payroll Change: 1990 - 1998
Total
High Tech
Med Service
Visitor / Ag
Defense
($1) $0 $1 $2 $3 $4
($ Billions)
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• What can be done in San Joaquin Valley?
– Support networking: It will pay off!
– Sponsor SBIR proposals: Cheap & big $$
– Build local Angel community:
• Link to State Networks: Golden State/Tech Coast
– Get service providers involved: For greed’s
sake—San Diego firms interview clients now
– Get local government involved & supportive
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• What advantages do you have?
– Diversity of population: Can serve any market
– Academic Institutions: Research to Adult Ed.
– State & Federal Support: Your votes count
– Emerging Clusters: Biometrics/Security/Irrig.
– Interested Local Leaders:
• That’s why you are here!
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002
CONNECTING TO COMPETE
• Conclusions:
• I’ve seen other regions grow high-tech
clusters with less at the start
• You demonstrate the leadership necessary
• Let’s discuss at the Workshop:
Attracting/Creating Equity Capital
TerryBibbens@aol.com 949-955-2625
Andercheck, Bibbens & Blake, LLC Forum on E-Commerce
Irvine, CA www.n-a-m.com Visalia, CA June 5, 2002