Developing successful software- and hardware-related businesses is the focus of the annual e2e Wyoming conference Tuesday, May 13, at the University of Wyoming Conference Center and the Laramie Hilton Garden Inn.

The conference, “Developing a Technology Business: Software & Hardware,” is part of the Wyoming Technology Business Center's (WTBC) e2e Wyoming networking program. e2e Wyoming is an educational networking program that brings together entrepreneurs with people interested in entrepreneurship to help them get to know each other and to talk about issues related to starting and growing a business. With chapters in Laramie, Casper, Gillette and Sheridan, e2e Wyoming is designed to improve the climate for the start-up and growth of entrepreneurial companies.

Conferences speakers will discuss opportunities and trends in technology and different strategies early-stage companies can follow in funding their company, developing a product, building a team and planning a successful exit, says WTBC CEO Jon Benson.

“While the emphasis is on developing a software or hardware business, the discussions will be equally relevant to all types of high-growth companies,” Benson says. “We are excited such an impressive group of speakers is joining us at this event. If you’re currently involved with a start-up or have an interest in launching a business, you don’t want to miss this conference.”

Jack Prim, CEO of Jack Henry and Associates, is the keynote speaker. He will begin the conference during a luncheon session Tuesday, May 13, at 11:30 a.m. Jack Henry and Associates is a publicly traded company -- with more than $1 billion in revenue -- that develops information processing solutions for financial institutions.

Following Prim’s presentation, Doug Robinson, co-founder and managing director of St. Charles Capital in Denver, will deliver “Lessons in Creating Value: Persistent Norms.” St. Charles Capital provides investment banking services in mergers and acquisitions, raising private capital, and financial advisory services for middle-market companies nationwide.

Scott Yates, CEO of BlogMutt in Boulder, Colo., is the third speaker. Blogmutt, an online marketplace for crowd-sourced blog content, is Scott’s third company. Scott will explain the strategies he used to develop his three companies.

Sandhi Bhide, senior strategist and technologist at Intel, will close the program. He will present “Innovations and Opportunities in Developing a Technology Business.” Bhide, a UW graduate, has more than 34 years of experience in high-tech and focuses on future mobile devices and applications at Intel.

The Small Business Administration also will honor a Wyoming technology business with the “Spirit of Wyoming Award.” Matt Varilek, region VIII administrator for the SBA, will present the SBA Wyoming District Office’s 2014 Small Business Spirit of Wyoming Award. The award is given to a small business that demonstrates potential for success in several areas, including steady growth of the company; innovation and imagination in products/services; and demonstration of the “Spirit of Wyoming” through volunteerism and community involvement.

The conference is open to the public, but registration is required. For more information about the conference or to RSVP, visit the website www.uwyo.edu/wtbc or call (307) 766-6395.

The WTBC, part of the UW Office of Research and Economic Development, is a business development program at UW that focuses on high-growth oriented companies with an emphasis on technology. The WTBC manages a 30,000-square-foot, technology-oriented business incubator and also a 42,000-square-foot facility in Casper.

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