Conduit to the Money: My Friend, Jerry Knotts

The question that people ask me, more often than any other, is “where can we find money for our deal?.” That’s a tough question to answer because it’s a moving target. Different investors like different deals and even if you have a deal that is interesting, it might not pass muster because it is structured badly – or the strategy to accomplish the goal just might be weak. In this game, some people figure it out while unfortunately, most do not.

The money people are very hard to find. It is a closed business, and most everything in this business happens by referral.

It is not by referral because we are trying to keep all the deals to ourselves; rather it is by referral because the money business is a tough business. It can be a dirty business and it can be a flaky business. Unfortunately, many times, investments are put into companies because investors are duped by con-artists who pretend to be entrepreneurs. Other times, the entrepreneurs just lack the skills to pull off a real success.

Do you see why it’s a business that is done by referral?

But, every once in a while, I’ve agreed to introduce you to some of my friends, and today my friend Jerry Knotts has agreed to allow me to introduce him to you. And if you would like to contact Jerry, he will consider it a referral from me.

Jerry is a long-time entrepreneur and entrepreneur advocate. Beginning his career in the Air Force, after earning an Electrical Engineering degree at Penn State, Jerry spent 24 years in the Air Force, first as a combat pilot, flying missions all over the world, and later building airplanes. He retired from the Air Force to go into a position where he oversaw all of the activity of private contractors who built transmissions for the Air Force. That put him right in the middle of the plants for companies such as General Motors, General Dynamics, Lockheed, and E-Systems.

Jerry continued moving up the government ladder until finally he became responsible for overseeing all military contracts in the Washington, D.C. area. A few years later, Jerry left Washington and came to California. He took a job as Senior Vice President and General Manager of an early stage company called California Micro, which he helped build from nothing into $15 million a year in just a few years. With start up experience under his belt, he agreed to run the California Manufacturing Technology Center, which is a group that is designed to help small businesses that are in the manufacturing sector. He served as a mentor and worked with entrepreneurs, helping them to avoid the pitfalls that entrepreneurship is sure to throw at them.

Jerry’s experience as an entrepreneur has helped him to understand the needs of entrepreneurs. And helping to address these needs has become Jerry’s focus.

Jerry has also become tremendously involved in a variety of Southern California venture capital organizations, such as the Southern California Biotech Council (www.socalbio.org), which for ten years has been putting on conferences to help entrepreneurs raise capital. The next of those conferences is September 19, 2008. Jerry’s continuing goal for entrepreneurs is to submit business plans and to facilitate introductions to venture capitalists and other qualified investors.

Presently, however, Jerry holds his most coveted job. He is the President and CEO of the California Coast Venture Forum (www.ccvf.org). Early in that organization’s development, the founders identified the need to facilitate introductions of qualified technology companies to qualified investors. And, with the focus of a combat pilot, Jerry is focused on that mission.

So far, in ten years, the California Coast Venture Forum has facilitated $110M in funding from banks, venture capitalists, and angel investors. Jerry’s job and the job of the volunteers who help at the California Coast Venture Forum is to help make sure that the companies are ready. If the companies are ready, they will introduce them to appropriate funding sources, and unlike the venture clubs of the past, this outfit is looking for deals nationwide. The directive that a deal has to be within driving distance to be a deal has evaporated. Services such as “Go-To Meeting” and the widespread use of telephone conference calls have made broader geographic access available to everyone.

The California Coast Venture Forum services a variety of sectors, but they mostly focus on clean technology and clean business initiatives. If you have a business that qualifies for the type of funding that the California Coast Venture Forum provides, Jerry would be interested in talking with you. It is a rare person that I allow access to my readership, but I believe this information will be of great value to several of the people who read this column. If your company could benefit from working with Jerry, contact my office and we will facilitate an introduction.

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Somalia Launches First Youth Football Development Center

Inaugurated by the president of Somali Football Federation, Mr. Ali Abdi Mohamed, the new youth football development center began its operation in the city of Baidoa on Thursday 13th of February 2025.

Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Meets with Indian PM Modi

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence The U.S. Senate confirmed...

Why Is Kendrick Lamar Dissing Drake Now?

Kendrick Lamar and Drake once shared a collaborative spirit, but tensions simmered in 2013 with Lamar's bold verse on "Control." What followed...

The History of Palestine: Ancient Civilizations to Today

From the ancient settlements of Jericho to the emergence of the Canaanites, the origins of Palestine reveal a rich tapestry of cultures. But what mysteries lie hidden in its sands, waiting to be unearthed?

DIY Garden Projects: Creative and Budget-Friendly Ideas

Transform your backyard with stunning DIY garden projects that elevate your outdoor space—yet one unexpected challenge remains...

Omri Hurwitz Media Adds New Clients BridgerPay, Marble Law, Canditech, Among Others

In a world where digital storytelling and media presence...

SFF President Names Election Rival as Referee Committee Chair

In a move described by many as a good...

This History of Hamas: Key Events Explored

As we explore the origins of this organization, a complex picture emerges, leading us to one question: what sparked...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img