BevNET Live’s commitment to providing attendees with the information they need to build and expand their businesses will be underscored by a set of breakout sessions that feature a series on valuations and exit strategy, as well sessions dealing with law, blogging and public relations, scientific advisory boards and studies, and a track linking design, processing, and packaging decisions to product outcomes, provided by event sponsor Tetra-Pak.
The first round of breakouts, starting on Monday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 p.m., will feature a discussion of how companies can break inside the “Black Box” of valuations. Perhaps the most common topic related to financing or sale of a company that every entrepreneur asks revolves around the area: What should it be? How is it determined? What’s fair? What really matters? Do I lead with a valuation? How do I push back on investors/buyers?
The interactive session will be led by Michael Burgmaier, Managing Director of the investment bank Silverwood Partners (2014 beverage transactions include KeVita, Essentia, The Switch and Spindrift) and Brad Barnhorn, an Industry Advisor with Silverwood Partners and leader of Barnhorn Growth Advisors; Brad has played key roles in numerous financings and is currently a Board Director with KeVita, Krave Jerky, Rhythm Superfoods, Zola, Health Warrior and Pint Size, among others.
Also taking place during that breakout round will be the previously-announced Brands, Bloggers, and Blunders, with Max Goldberg, the founder of influential organic lifestyle blog Living Maxwell. Justin Prochnow, an administrative law practitioner with key experience covering the FDA and FTC, will provide an overview of the year’s most important legal developments with regard to the beverage business. Meanwhile, Marcelo Ferrer, Director of Contract Manufacturing with Tetra Pak U.S. & Canada, will lead a session on the implications that key types of processing will have on product development for beverage brands.
The second round of breakouts, starting at 3:00 p.m. will further entrepreneurs’ financial knowledge when experienced deal attorney Brette Simon delivers a talk on the structure of investment agreements and their implications for brand owners and founders. “Deal Anatomy: How to Avoid Pain Upon Exit” will focus on the elements of a deal or capital raise, helping entrepreneurs wend their way through NDAs, price structuring, clawbacks, holdbacks, noncompete agreements, and other issues that can affect founders during and after the deal close. Simon, formerly a corporate law partner in the Santa Monica office of the international law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, currently advises emerging growth companies on capital raising, strategic alliances, and exit transactions. She has worked with numerous companies in the food and beverage space.
Alongside the financial focus, attendees will be able to choose to hear from Dr. Jay Udani, the founder of Medicus Research, during his previously announced session on ways that beverage companies should think about forming scientific advisory boards and how they can conduct clinical trials to prove out product claims. Additionally, Rachel Doll, the marketing manager for beverage with Tetra Pak U.S. & Canada will conduct a session discussing how packaging can have important functional roles along with its ability to attract consumer attention, evaluating the implications of choosing various packaging types on the end product.