VCTaskForce - Who has Their Head in the Clouds? June 24, 2010

Wikipedia says cloud computing is Internet-based computing, where shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand.

To some observers, cloud computing is a paradigm shift following the transition from mainframe to client-server that preceded it in the early 1980s. Customers no longer need expertise in the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them. Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption and delivery model for IT services based on the Internet, and it typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources as a service over the Internet. Companies such as Amazon are supplying public clouds that allow clients to launch and scale quickly.

Other experts, including Larry Ellison at Oracle, consider cloud computing "marketing hype", simply applying new labels to old technology. Does the term "timeshare" sound familiar to anyone?

The VC taskforce panel of experts will discuss their thoughts about cloud computing and highlight some of the challenges and opportunities for developers, entrepreneurs and VCs.

Moderator:
Stephane Berthier, Partner-Technology, Software and Internet, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Panelists:
John Balen, General Partner, Canaan Partners
John Occhipinti, Managing Director, Woodside Fund
Dave Zabrowski, CEO and Founder, Cloud Cruiser
Jeff Richards, Partner, GGV Capital
Evangelos Simoudis, Venture Partner, Trident Capital

Agenda:
Registration, Networking: 6:00 - 7:00
Panel Discussion: 7:00 - 8:00
Q&A: 8:00 - 8:30
Hors d'oeuvres, wine and soft drinks will be served.

Official Website: http://www.VCTaskForce.com