NCN thanks the following companies for their support of NCN Investor Meetings and educational event for members of NCN. Enjoy the benefits of being an NCN supporting company by joining us either as a Sponsor or as a Cornerstone Investor. Contact Grant Ferrier (619) 295-7685 x15 or Tom Aarts (619) 295-7685 x18 to learn about opportunities for NCN supporting companies.

Law Firm Partner: Venable LLP

Trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights are all Venable LLP strong suits. We structure and negotiate licenses, research contracts and technology transfer agreements. And we know how to protect your product and preserve your ability to market. When it comes to marketing and promoting your products, the competition is stiff. That’s why we’ll work to help you avoid or minimize both regulatory and competitive hurdles related to advertising and promoting your products. You face hurdles from both the FDA, concerning product formulation and development, and the FTC, concerning advertising and dissemination. And product claims face hurdles from both agencies. With nearly 600 attorneys in offices across the country practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and regulatory and government affairs, Venable is one of America’s top 100 law firms.

Investment Banking Partner: Partnership Capital Growth Advisors

At Partnership Capital Growth Advisors (PCGA) we are committed to advising and preparing entrepreneurial companies exclusively within the healthy, active and sustainable living marketplace for successful capital and strategic relationships that provide immediate value while supporting their long-term strategic goals. With comprehensive expertise in transaction structuring, deal process, diligence, and capital structure, PCGA is the most experienced investment advisor in the country focused on the healthy, active and sustainable living marketplace.

Executive Search Partner: Sanford Rose Associates

Sanford Rose Associates–Beachwood is a retained executive search firm focused on conducting assignments for clients in the Natural Product, Nutritional Supplement and Ingredient, and Health & Wellness industries. We work closely with the leadership of our client organizations to define, recruit, and fill critical openings for CEO, COO, CFO, Vice President, and Director roles, as well as other key functional positions in Operations/ Manufacturing, Sales/ Business Development, Marketing, Research & Development, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources.

Brand Strategy Partner: Sterling-Rice Group

The Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) is a brand strategy, innovation, creativity firm that for 27 years has been building brand value in the food, beverage, nutrition, and health and wellness space. Working with many of the world’s greatest brands—as well as with start-up and venture-backed brands—SRG brings a blend of entrepreneurial know-how and go-to-market expertise. Our core competencies range from qualitative and quantitative insights to brand and enterprise strategy, innovation, new product development, and communications. With 135 professionals in its offices in Boulder, Colo., the Sterling-Rice Group delivers measurable results that grow market share and brand value. The  leaders of SRG bring unique, collective, applied experience from having worked in major global agencies and corporate strategy consulting firms, operating  businesses, and  managing world-class brands.

Life Science Partner: SPRIM

Sprim is a global consulting firm focused on innovation in human health, dedicated to leveraging its global expertise and networks to deliver effective and timely solutions for its clients. Through hundreds of projects globally, Sprim has proven its ability to seamlessly and cost effectively integrate its scientific, commercial, clinical testing and regulatory expertise to deliver well designed and well executed solutions, propelling client innovations to market. Sprim clients include market leaders and technology innovators in the life sciences, including: consumer health products, food & ingredients, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Sprim's four primary practice areas are Research & Clinical Services, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, Health Marketing & Communication and Strategy & Intelligent Innovation.

Digital Marketing Partner: Colby Direct

Colby Direct, with offices in Los Angeles, and Baltimore, is a full-service digital marketing firm with strong expertise in the natural products space. In business since 2004, Colby Direct helps a wide range of prestigious clients incorporate cutting-edge direct-response oriented marketing strategies and tactics into their online marketing efforts, as well as bridge the gap between offline and online practices through trans-media integrative approaches. With a wealth of resources across the disciplines of direct-response copy, design, video, web-development and strategy, Colby architects and develops digital platforms aimed at maximizing new customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value through email, digital video, social media, SEO, SEM, mail-to-web, and retail-to-web.

Government Partner: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the New Zealand Government’s national economic development agency. Investment New Zealand is the government’s national investment promotion agency and a division of NZTE. Investment New Zealand (http://www.investmentnz.govt.nz) connects international investors with investment opportunities in New Zealand. The site provides detailed information about New Zealand investment opportunities, including suitable prospects recommended by sector specialists, commercial advice and introductions to decision makers, and incentives and help offered by the New Zealand government.