VCIR 2008 Conference – Mountain Biking, Fly-fishing and Abundant Industry Discussion

Thirteen promising and innovative startup technology companies based in the Rocky Mountains headed to Sun Valley Resort last week to attend the first annual Venture Capital in the Rockies (VCIR) conference. 

While there were abundant golfing, mountain biking and fly-fishing opportunities (after all it was in Sun Valley, Idaho) – attendees were there for something else – they were there to learn firsthand about venture funding and the entrepreneurial opportunities that are flourishing throughout the region. (Okay, so some were there for both golf and business).

Ranging from seed stage to expansion capital and encompassing a spectrum of industries that spans software, information technology and telecommunications, the conference was full of incredible discussion that was fueled by the excitement and drive of its qualified and innovative speakers.

Pete, our CEO, in classic Balihoo form, got up and discussed a topic that is near and dear to his heart: Balihoo and why the industry currently needs such solutions.

Paul Ahlstrom, managing director and co-founder of Salt Lake City, Utah-based vSpring Capital was quoted by Techrockies has having commented “I felt like those [Balihoo] guys nailed [their pitch] for a couple of reasons. They’ve hit the market pretty hard and, in the first couple of quarters, they’ve shown significant market penetration. That’s one of the plays we haven’t invested in that we would take a serious look at.”

It was great to hear from other ground-breaking Rocky Mountain startups and of course, being in Sun Valley was an additional perk! Exciting times in west.