MyStateCALIFORNIA fresno

September 9, 1850

Why Some Start Up Tech Firms Survive and Why Some Don't

Fresno, California --PRNewswire/ -- With so much money and time riding on the success of start-up's -- how they manage their risks at an early life cycle continues to be heightened.

Julie K. Davis, Aon Corporation, presented their observations at the June 2008 monthly Women's Network Group in Sacramento, California.

Davis presented data that highlighted the concerns of emerging Tech firms in the U.S. "Based on our market observations, there was a lot on our clients' mind during the first quarter. Factors that were most critical to entrepreneurs included retention of key workers, developing new products and services, expanding to markets outside the U.S., cutting costs, increasing productivity and creating business alliances. The industry was also focused on growth barriers which included a softening U.S. economy, slowing revenue growth rate, and planning for future capital investments," Davis presented.

While insurance purchasing and risk management for emerging Tech firms might be viewed by some as a commodity, seeking assistance from your insurance agent or broker should not be overlooked as your firm grows. While insurance agents and brokers are not in a legal or finance advisory role, niche insurance agents and brokers can provide input and risk management guidance to emerging Tech firms on customer acquisitions, channel/alliances, product development and processes. "We now know that certain early stage Tech firms require more assistance than others as they grow," said Davis. "R&D focused firms require different type of risk management guidance than those that do not require start-up capital," said Davis.

Why the focus on start-up Tech firms? MarketStance and Travelers reports that in today's economy, seventy-seven percent of Tech firms have between
10-50 employees. "Since Aon serves risk management needs of all sizes of Tech firms, we believe that our unique platform helps customers see us as strategic partners to their business needs," said Davis.

Wired for Growth is a growing list of innovations created by Aon. Wired for Growth was designed to better address the unique challenges that emerging Tech firms have. Wired for Growth combines customized coverage's with flexible limits, strong client services and a unique approach to helping firms manage their "life cycle" risks.

About the Session Presenter:

Julie Davis has been with Aon Corporation (AOC) for fifteen years. She is the founder and executive vice president of their Wired for Growth program (http://www.wiredforgrowth.com), serving insurance and risk management needs for emerging technology, internet and life science firms. She participates and speaks frequently on career issues for professional women. She is the recipient of Chicago Innovation Awards, Insurance Innovators Award (Insurance and Tech Magazine), and finalist in Annual Stevie Awards for Innovation of Best New Product / Service, recognized by I-Street Magazine in their annual "Women in Black" Awards and recently named Who's Who for Entrepreneurial Work in Insurance and Risk Management Field. She attended University of Texas and Rice University. She can be reached by email at julie_k_davis@ars.aon.com or by phone at 408-439-2654.

About the Women's Network:

This event has approximately 120 participants. The group is a women's association designed for leaders of new or rapidly growing companies with less than 1,000 employees and leaders of autonomous business units in larger organizations.

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Women's Network Group

-0- 06/10/2008

/CONTACT: Julie Davis for Women's Network Group, +1-408-439-2654,
julie_k_davis@ars.aon.com/

/Web site: http://www.wiredforgrowth.com /