Panel 1 – Current Investment Climate in Mexico and Necessary Changes to Achieve 8% Growth

Wednesday, April 21, 10:00 – 11:00 am

Session Overview:

The global economy is still suffering from the effects of the financial crisis, and Mexico, because of its proximity to the U.S., has been strongly affected. Mexico’s economic growth is intimately linked with the North American market and internal domestic market development. Are we diversified enough to lower our dependence on a market? Would you enter a NAFTA 2.0? How will we achieve growth rates above 5% per year? The country and over 50% of our population cannot wait. Given this scenario, what is happening with investment in the country to generate much needed employment?

What has been the impact in the last 15 years since Mexico decided to open to the world and compete globally? How many investment funds and how much capital are actively investing in Mexico? What is causing Mexico to direct more investment to the productive sector development? To answer these questions and many more, we have assembled an interesting panel of economists, investors, investment promoters, entrepreneurs and market regulators who will recommend actions to be implemented in Mexico to reach a higher level of development and competitiveness.


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Panel 2 – Freeing Up Internal Sources of Capital Targeted to PYMES

Wednesday, April 21, 4:50 – 6:30 pm

Session Overview:

Listen to a panel of national experts as they discuss the availability of capital for venture funds in Mexico. Recent regulatory changes for Mexican public pension funds, the new entrants of private pension funds, insurance companies, and the formation of “Fund of Funds” could dramatically increase the availability of capital to Mexico’s venture  industry and forever change Mexico’s entrepreneurial landscape.

How much are Mexico’s institutional fund managers allocating to the asset class of venture capital as opposed to later-stage private equity? Which other Mexican institutional investors are participating in the asset class? What does a venture capital fund have to look like in order raise money? What are the current rules and restrictions for investing in the venture capital asset class? To answer these questions and more, we have assembled a world-class panel of institutional investors who will provide their unique insight on methods and strategies for selecting portfolio funds, and will offer their guidance amidst these exciting times in the industry.


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Panel 3 – Mexican Venture Capital Lift-Off: Voices from the cockpit

Thursday, April 22, 9:30 – 10:45 am

Session Overview:

The theme of the 2010 Monterrey Venture Capital conference is “The Dawn of Mexico’s Venture Capital Industry”. During the first panel of the conference we will hear from some of the pioneers of Mexico’s venture capital industry as they discuss such topics as: What led them to establish a Venture Capital fund in Mexico? What characteristics do they look for in entrepreneurs and what kind of investment opportunities are they looking for? What are the unique opportunities and challenges of early-stage investing in Mexico?


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Panel 4 – Next Steps for Unlocking Mexico’s Potential: the International Investors’ Perspective

Thursday, April 22, 11:00 – 12:15 pm

Session Overview:

Kearney, a global management consulting firm, recently released its 2010 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, with Mexico jumping into the #8 position from its previous #19 ranking in 2007. At the same time, however, Mexico’s actual foreign direct investment dropped 50% in 2009. As world economies emerge from the global financial crisis, new strategies and investment targets have caught increasing attention of international investors.

What makes Mexico’s private equity and venture capital industries attractive investment destinations for international investors? What does Mexico have to do to increase its attractiveness to global capital sources that are interested in investing in the country? What is the role of venture capital in unlocking Mexico’s potential? What are the top three barriers to foreign investments? To answer these questions and many more, we have assembled an outstanding panel of international investors.


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Panel 5 – Building a Successful Entrepreneurial Environment in Mexico

Thursday, April 22, 12:30 – 1:45 pm

Session Overview:

Many regions have attempted to understand and copy the success of Silicon Valley in producing innovative, high-growth companies. Should Mexico try to recreate the Silicon Valley Model, or is that model an anomaly that doesn’t apply to the rest of the world? The most compelling explanations of successful investment environments point to a critical mass of key elements in the venture ecosystem including: entrepreneurial activity and education, investment capacity, innovation capacity, research facilities, established industry, expert service providers and supportive government.

Where does Mexico already have these elements and where are the gaps? Come listen to a panel of industry experts as they discuss the key drivers and challenges to developing a successful venture ecosystem in Mexico.

  • Moderator: Nathan Furr Phd, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Brigham Young University
  • Jose Antonio Aguilar, Chairman Fund of Funds (Mexico-CMIC) & Deputy
    Director Mexican Development Bank, NAFIN
  • Paul Ahlstrom, Managing Director, Alta Ventures Mexico
  • Roberto Charvel, CEO & GP, Vander Capital Partners
  • Brian Cummings, Executive Director of the Technology Commercialization Office at the University of Utah and Assistant Vice President of Technology Ventures
  • Andres Ochoa Bünsow, National Managing Partner, Baker & McKenzie


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Panel 6 – Accelerating Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment Opportunities in Mexico

Thursday, April 22, 4:00 – 5:15 pm

Session Overview:

While previous panel discussions in this conference establish the big picture of venture capital in Mexico, this panel focuses on specific efforts and policies that support Mexico’s entrepreneurial culture and the creation of innovative new companies. Panelists will discuss the changing attitudes toward entrepreneurship in Mexico, and the nuts and bolts of specific policies and programs that will positively impact innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The discussion topics will include:

How will Mexico increase the number of IPOs, M&A and other exit opportunities? How is Mexico educating the next generation of entrepreneurs? What is the impact of Mexico’s incubators, business accelerators and technology parks? What is the government doing to increase the innovation capacity in Mexico? How are Mentor Networks elevating the business culture in Mexico and providing entrepreneurs the scarcest resources of time?


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