ZINO Business Insights Luncheon at Harris myCFO

Greg Sefanov, BMO Capital Markets

Yesterday, ZINO Society sponsor, Harris myCFO, hosted a ZINO Business Insights luncheon in their conference room featuring guest speaker, Greg Sefanov, Managing Director of BMO Capital Markets Technology team in New York entitled "Technology Traction:  Beyond the A-Round".  The discussion included the general nature of the current funding environment and what investors, VC/PE firms and those seeking investments are finding across the tech spectrum.

Hosting the Harris myCFO event were Debra Doran, Managing Director, Mark Castelin, Director and Senior Investment Advisor, Kate Anderson, Director, and a welcome surprise visitor from the Harris

Harris myCFO Team l-r: Mark Castelin, Debra Doran,
Kate Anderson, Claudia Sangster

myCFO Los Angeles office, Claudia Sangster, Director, Philanthropy, Estate and Trust Services.

Around 18 ZINO Society members and guests attended the luncheon ranging from sophisticated investors to start-up entrepreneurs.  Greg shared many insights about his experiences in the business.  

One of the charts he shared included Gartner's Hype Cycle and I thought the Hype Cycle Stages were fascinating: Technology Trigger associated with Seed/Start Up companies, Peak of Inflated Expectations, and Trough of Disillusionment associated

with Early Stage companies, Slope of Enlightenment associated with Expansion Stage companies and Plateau of Productivity associated with Later Stage companies.  

Greg Sefanov in conversation with Peter Weiss

It seems we often see the struggles of early stage companies seeking funding in that Trough of Disillusionment as problems with performance, slower-than-expected adoption or failure to deliver timely financial results lead to missed expectations and disillusionment sets in.  But it is exciting to watch as they overcome some of the initial hurdles and begin to experience success and recommit their efforts to move forward.

From some of the questions asked by participants, Greg's presentation really struck a chord.  Thank you to Greg and the entire Harris mcCFO team!