Were it not for the fact that the venture capital-list behind the lectern is petite and blond, the Network of Indian Professionals might just as well have been drawn from Bangalore as San Francisco. Hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs listen raptly as Ann Winblad, a partner at one of the city's premier firms, offers survival tips for Internet companies. When she's finished, Winblad is mobbed by young men—and a few women —eager to pitch their start-up ideas. She smoothly pronounces the names on their badges—Sanjay, Rajiv and Sharma—as she stacks their business cards. "This," says Winblad, "is where you find the up-and-comers.
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