Investing in SaaS: Are the Financiers Buying?
September 14, 2005 11:30 am CT, 12:30 pm ET, 9:30 am PT
The investment and M&A environment within the software industry is again on the rise with the emergence of new VC funds and some high profile and high value acquisitions. While SaaS companies are attracting a lot of attention to the industry, how are they faring in this new environment? Are VCs recognizing and supporting the higher start-up costs that go with this new model? How are investors and potential acquirers evaluating subscription-based revenue streams? What are the key criteria being used to evaluate SaaS businesses and what exit opportunities can owners expect? What benchmarks are emerging for SaaS company valuations?
Panel Speakers:
Steve Wiehe, CEO - SciQuest
John Martinson, Managing Partner - Edison Venture Fund

SaaS Liability: The Data Dilemma
October 5, 2005 11:30 am CT, 12:30 pm ET, 9:30 am PT
While the SaaS model has a number of benefits that make it compelling, one of the more challenging hurdles facing customers considering the model has been data ownership and security. Customers have legitimate concerns about data access, integrity, theft and ownership. Moreover, what happens to the data should the SaaS vendor go out of business or be acquired? This webcast will address these and other customer demands and how SaaS vendors are responding from a best-practices point of view.
Panel Speakers:
John Koenig, President - Riseforth
David C. Thomas, Vice President and General Manager, Software Division - Software & Information Industry Association
Michael Topolovac, CEO - Arena Solutions

Developing the Channel for SaaS Vendors
October 26, 2005 11:30 am CT, 12:30 pm ET, 9:30 am PT
Many SaaS companies are eager to leverage the customer relationship and sales expertise with a direct sales channel and reinventing and defining effective ways to interact with prospective customers. This session focuses on how sales and marketing and channel development is adjusted for SaaS offerings, how SaaS vendors are engaging the sales and marketing process, and what is an effective approach for reaching end users and customers in a SaaS model.
Panel Speakers:
Greg Gianforte, President & CEO - RightNow Technologies
Jonathan Lewin, CEO - eMeta
David Spofford, CEO - Invoice Insight

Forming Strategic Alliances: A Partner Discussion
November 16, 2005 11:30 am CT, 12:30 pm ET, 9:30 am PT
Building off of the October 26th webcast program "Developing the Channel for SaaS Vendors," this one-hour webcast will explore how the Software as a Service (SaaS) model continues to force organizations to re-evaluate partnerships and alignments in go-to-market channels, technology platforms, and verticals. CEO panelists representing three Software as a Service firms will share perspectives on strategies for creating relevant partnerships and the accompanying benefits and challenges. This webcast will examine partnerships from multiple angles - considering best-in-class engineering/consulting firms, vertical industry approaches, and across technology platforms.
Panel Speakers:
John Girard, CEO - Clickability
Larry Goldenhersh, CEO - Enviance
Mark Organ, CEO - Eloqua

TripleTree, LLC is a research-based investment bank serving growth companies, investors and global acquirers.  TripleTree conducts proprietary research that guides our work in M&A, growth capital and financial advisory services.  Our value-based approach benefits technology-enabled businesses in sectors where delivery models are converging technology and services, and all sectors where CEO’s and investors are in search of creative ways to disrupt markets and unleash value.

TripleTree’s unique personality is shaped by the experience of our principals who as former business builders and transaction professionals create strategic outcomes that maximize value for our clients. The firm is located in Minneapolis.