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Houston Angel Network members:
HTC is pleased to present Verliant to the Houston Angel Network. For additional information, please contact Pamela Harris, Founder, of Verliant. Best regards, and as always, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Michelle Weisblatt Development Manager Houston Technology Center www.houstontech.org Verliant, Inc. <<...<< Corporations today are confronted with a myriad of laws and regulations from Federal, State and Local governments. Complying with these regulations costs companies billions of dollars annually, in direct compliance costs alone. Furthermore, the risk of non-compliance is significant and costs companies both directly, in terms of fines and litigation, and indirectly in terms of increased insurance premiums. OSHA, which is only one of several compliance categories, estimates that companies spend over $67 million annually--in fines alone. Litigation and settlement can cost multiples of the government fines. Verliant has developed a web-based, artificial intelligence tool that helps companies maintain regulatory compliance and successfully manage operational risks. The initial product focuses on compliance in environmental, health, safety and training. The technology is developed and has completed a successful beta test with its first client, Allied Waste Corporation. Contracts have been signed with initial revenues to occur in January 2001. Technology & Product * U.S. employers face a multitude of onerous record keeping and compliance responsibilities. The administrative burden of maintaining up to date knowledge of, and complying with, regulatory requirements is significant. * Verliant automates key management compliance processes that were previously ignored or handled manually by employers' HR, Safety or Legal departments. Employers recognize significant cost savings in compliance and substantial decreases in non-compliance. Likewise, productivity and the effectiveness of safety programs are enhanced. * Applications modules include: Human Resources (Employee Record Management); Healthcare Compliance Auditing; Medical Surveillance; Substance Abuse Program Tracking; Training, Evaluation and Endorsement Tracking; DOT Driver Qualification File Maintenance; Event Management; Accident and Injury Reporting, Tracking and Analysis; and Industrial Hygiene. Market * There are over 6.5 million American firms that must comply with regulatory standards. * OSHA estimates annual compliance costs at $33 billion. Marketing Strategy * Initial focus will be through direct sales to Fortune 2000 companies. * Pricing is based on a monthly fee of about $2 per employee. * Verliant has signed contracts with Allied Waste and San-i-Pak. * The company plans to implement multi-tiered, direct sales, distribution model supplemented by resellers with substantial existing presence within niche target markets. The company is negotiating agreements with several resellers in both the medical and waste management industries. Competition * Verliant has identified two direct competitors. The first is Medgate, a privately held Canadian company that offers several competing modules, but is not yet internet-based. The second is Complient, which is in development of an internet-based compliance solution, supplemented by training and safety product sales. * Other companies such as J.J. Keller, a privately held company focused on the Department of Transportation (DOT) solution only, is not internet-based. * A more distant competitor is PureSafety.com, which focuses only on OSHA Training Tools. * Verliant is developing strategic relationships and marketing alliances with several companies in the medical, waste management, and PEO industries. Competitive Advantages * Management Team - The Company's executive management skills, domain expertise, market knowledge, distribution channels, intellectual property, and price versus performance are one of its greatest strengths. * Superior Functionality - No competitors offer Verliant's comprehensive suite of compliance rule-based solutions, on-line document imaging, or full-service data entry and date loading. * ASP Delivery Model - The advantages of the ASP include easy to use Internet based solutions, proprietary compliance rules algorithms, and flexible reporting functions. * Brand Leadership - The Company's competitive strategy will be based upon building brand awareness by virtue of its expertise and the founder's reputation in the occupational health and safety industry. Organizational Information Management Team * Pamela E. Harris, PhD, President and CEO - Founder of Verliant. Ph.D. in Environmental Science and a Masters in Public Health, 20 years experience in the safety and health field including VP, Safety and Health Services at BFI. 3 years on the BOD, National Safety Council. Recognized as one of the nation's top 50 women executives by the New York Times. * Martin Scheid, VP Business Development (Forte Group Partner) - MSEE, MBA with 24 years experience in senior management in the high tech sector, including 15 years with Compaq in business development, mergers and acquisitions. * Jeff Collins, COO (Forte Group Partner) - BSE, MBA with 16 years of commercial, operational and technology development with such firms as BP Amoco, where he was VP of Business Development. * Ms. Joan Eckerman Jones, MPH - VP Marketing with over 10 years experience in strategic marketing. * Natalie Williams - 15 years experience managing data quality, interface and input mechanisms, report design and vendor performance. * Deborah Vint - Healthcare Sales - 23 years experience in the healthcare field, managing clinical practices, as well as, administrative, technical, and professional staffs. * Roger Clayton - IT Manager - 19 years experience designing and managing database applications. He has created many Microsoft based business applications Advisory Board * Mr. Patrick R. Tyson, JD - Partner, Constangy, Brooks and Smith; Chairman of the Board of the National Safety Council, Former Acting Head of OSHA (Reagan Administration). * Ms. Susan J. Piller, JD - Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Waste Management, Inc. * Mr. Robert Broun - Principal for 15 years with Wellington Associates, Inc., a Dallas investment banking firm. Financial Projections Revenue Model * Verliant's revenue model will include sales in both direct and reseller channels of distribution. * Verliant will achieve over $300 million in cumulative revenues and will attain market penetration goals of up to 20% during year 5 of operations. <<...<< Capital * The founder has contributed over $600,000 in seed stage funding. The company is now seeking $2,000,000 through the issuance of Series A preferred shares. * Funds will be used to support ongoing operating expenses, technology and web site development, the purchase of business and computer equipment, and the deployment of sales and marketing plans. * Break-even profitability is projected by year-end 2001. Contact Information * Dr. Pamela Harris, President, Verliant, Inc. 5715 Whitemills, Houston, Texas 77041-5503 Ph:(713)466-0829 Fax:(713)896-4571 pharris@verliant.com <<...<< Please note: Investments resulting from introductions by HTC may involve a high degree of risk. HTC has neither evaluated nor endorsed the merits of any investment opportunity presented through its services and makes no recommendations regarding the appropriateness of particular investment opportunities for particular investors. Each potential investor must rely on his or her own judgment regarding the merits of a particular investment opportunity.
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