Media Contact:
Alison Moore
Blue Point Venture Marketing
781-861-7800
alison@bluepointmktg.com

DEMO Conference, in 20th year, Gets Straight A’s from Participating Technology Start-Ups
Survey respondents report 93% overall company success rate

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., January 13, 2010 - In observance of its 20th year as the industry’s premier forum for launching IT-enabled products, DEMO Conference organizers commissioned a survey by BluePoint Venture Marketing of all previous demonstrators to determine the conference’s impact on early-stage companies and gauge company success rates. Over 100 senior executives participated in the survey, and the results revealed that DEMO presenters achieved above-average success rates overall and nearly a quarter were able to obtain funding within one year of presenting. Additionally, the survey revealed high approval scores for the DEMO conference.

According to the survey results, fielded in October 2009:

• Of the companies that secured funding as a direct result of DEMO, 92% did so within 9 months of presenting at the conference
  • 39% received up to $1 million
  • 62% received over $1 million
    • 31% received between $1 - $5 million
    • 31% obtained over $5 million
• Of all respondents obtaining funding, 46 % tapped angel investors and 54% secured capital from venture firms

The DEMO Experience
When asked about key objectives for presenting at DEMO, respondents cited the following:

• Garnering press coverage (88%)
• Validating product (60%)
• Networking (30%)
• Funding (26%)

The survey results show a clear correlation between presenters’ objectives and conference benefits. Ninety-two percent of participants rated DEMO’s press coverage as “excellent” or “good” and 98% rated their overall experience as being “excellent” or “good”. Not surprisingly, nearly one-fifth of respondents have chosen to present more than one company at the DEMO forum.

DEMO participants had the following to say:

• “DEMO is an acknowledged achievement… DEMO is a lasting reference.”
• “Great platform for launching our company. Almost ideal.”
• “Fabulous opportunity for any CEO/founder/entrepreneur. It’s both the most intense/scary time, and the most exciting/uplifting time...in your startup career.”

“It’s thrilling to see how well our DEMO alumni are doing,” said Neal Silverman, Senior Vice President of DEMO, organized and owned by IDG. “So many companies attribute strong press coverage and funding – whether angel or venture capital – to their DEMO experience. The survey data validates what we’ve suspected all along – that winning companies are selected to present at DEMO.”

The application deadline for companies to be considered for the next DEMO conference is January 18, 2010. DEMO Spring 2010 will be held on March 21-23, 2010 in Palm Desert, CA. For more information, find DEMO on facebook, follow DEMO on twitter, or visit www.demo.com.

About DEMO
DEMO is the premier forum for launching new companies and technologies. Offering a unique opportunity for early-stage technology companies to connect with industry influencers, peers, and sources of capital, DEMO conferences are held twice annually in the U.S. and annually in China. Business leaders, IT decision makers, entrepreneurs, and investors come to DEMO to discover trends, validate new technologies, gain better industry exposure and form valuable business relationships. DEMO will celebrate its 20th year at the upcoming conference March 21-23rd in Palm Desert, California. To register for the event or get more information, visit www.demo.com.

For more information on the DEMO Alumni Survey, please contact Alison Moore, Managing Director at BluePoint Venture Marketing, at 781-861-7800 or amoore@bluepointmktg.com.

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