Class 5 - Finance

Instructor: Steven Hooper Jr., M/C Venture Partners

Mr. Hooper graduated cum laude from Colby College, where he received a BA in Economics with distinction, completed a minor in Computer Science, and was a Baker Scholar. At M/C, he is responsible for sourcing and executing investments across the wireless and telecom landscape, as well as managing portfolio investments in the space. He joined M/C from 3i, a global leader in venture capital and private equity, where he worked in the Venture Capital team souring and executing new investment opportunities and assisting in portfolio management across a variety of sectors. Prior to 3i, Mr. Hooper was with Cascadia Capital, a Seattle-based boutique investment bank providing private placement and M&A services to emerging growth technology companies. As a member of the Communications and Wireless team, he was ultimately responsible for Cascadia's business development and client relationship efforts in that segment. He successfully led transactions ranging from $10 million private equity financings to $170 million buy-side mandates.


Speaker: Julian E. Orbanes, Founder and CEO of GeoPhoenix, Inc


Julian E. Orbanes is the Founder and CEO of GeoPhoenix, Inc., which produces the 'User Interface Supercharger' - software powering the next-generation of devices like cell phones and electronic TV guides. Self-taught at age 5 with Atari BASIC, Mr. Orbanes has 27 years programming experience. For 13 years, Mr. Orbanes has asked the question -- Why doesn't practical software play like video games and movies?

Since Age 15 Mr. Orbanes has been releasing technology products - his first was the Macintosh video game, Copter™. His second product, net.Form for net.Genesis, was brought to market when he was 20, and his third product, giFX for Interdimensions, was released when he was 22. His research in improving human-computer interfaces began in 1994 and has been praised by both academics and professionals in the field. He has published two works on his research at MIT’s Media Lab, which included the design and creation of Ping Pong Plus, an interactive ping pong table, and a wired cross country bike trip monitored through wireless technology. In 1998, he was a semifinalist at MIT’s 50K competition.

Recently Mr. Orbanes has been developing a 'Moore's Law' for User Interfaces(UI) which states that UI will develop exponentially like the computer chip. This so-called 'Orbanes Law' is based on being able to scientifically measure User Interface performance, and the application of genetics and natural selection to the modern user experience.