High-Tech Exec Shares His Expertise on Getting Venture Funding, Creating a Strategic Growth Plan, and Positioning for Acquisition at Marin Business Networking Meeting.

LARKSPUR, Calif. (June 6, 2012) — Every company should have a growth strategy, whether it needs external funding to taker the business to the next level, or it wants to align internal resources to position the company for a merger or acquisition. To help companies struggling with positioning themselves for growth, the Marin Business Forum will asked Pete Daffern, CEO of Clairmail, to speak on “Strategizing for Growth” at its next meeting on Thursday, June 21. The networking event will take place at the Wood Island Office Complex, 80 East Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Larkspur at 5:00 p.m., and will give business owners and professionals an opportunity to hear Pete’s presentation and network with other local business professionals. The event is open to all Bay Area residents.

During his presentation, Daffern will discuss various growth strategies that he has used during his years as a chief executive with technology companies such as Purisma and AIM Technology. During his career, Daffern has been responsible for finding venture capital and funding for start-up companies, as well as positioning companies for mergers and acquisitions. He also has been responsible for managing companies through strategic growth events, and hiring the experts needed to guide these companies along the way. Earlier this year, for example, Daffern negotiated the acquisition of Clairmail by Monitize plc for $173 million.

“Every company leader needs to have a strategic growth plan, including specific goals and milestones,” said TJ Van Voorhees, co-founder and general partner for Pacific Crest Group, host and co-founder of the Marin Business Forum. “Whether your plan includes an influx of capital, strategic hires, or an acquisition, you have to lay the foundation to achieve those goals. Pete clearly has ‘been there, done that,’ having successfully guided a number of technology firms successfully through watershed growth events, such as IPOs and acquisitions. We are delighted that he is willing to share his experience and knowledge with the Marin Business Forum.”

Pete Daffern has more than 20 years of experience helping technology companies grow. Before his tenure as CEO of Clairmail, Daffern was CEO of Purisma, where he directed operations with a focus on strategic growth with the help of customer service and business development initiatives. For example, Purisma was successfully acquired by Dun & Bradstreet in 2007. Daffern also has served as president of AIM Technology, Vice President of Worldwide Business Development, Alliances, and Corporate Development for Vitria Technology, and was a member of the management team at Seagate Software for 10 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Sheffield University in England.

In addition to the information presentation, the Marin Business Forum meeting will include wine and appetizers, as well as time to mingle with other local Marin professionals and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and information.

Space is limited and an RSVP is required to attend. Interested parties can register at http://marinbusinessforum.com/event-registration or contact Franka Winchester at 415.461.2586, fwinchester@pcg-services.com.

About the Marin Business Forum
The Marin Business Forum was the brain child of Pacific Crest Group (http://www.pcg-services.com), Filice (http://www.filice.com), and Cypress Partners (http://www.cypresspart.com), who pooled their expertise to create a networking group to give local entrepreneurs and professionals a chance to meet one another and make new business connections. This event is to provide expert guidance, education and inspiration to take back to the office and concentrate on core business strategies for growth and expansion. For more information on the speaker and to keep abreast of future events, visit http://www.marinbusinessforum.com.

Contact:
Franka Winchester
Pacific Crest Group
(415) 461-2586
fwinchester@pcg-services.com

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com