Who: Alan Mendelson, co-founder of Axiom Venture Partners, Hartford, CT

What: His firm has $200 million under management. Through his involvement with the Connecticut Venture Group and other state economic development agencies has helped grow the entrepreneurial culture in the state.

How: Played an important role in promoting the economic growth in his home state. His work on state business boards and commissions dates back to 1984 when the Governor named him to the state’s first high-tech task force. Also involved in the creation of Connecticut Seed Ventures, leading the fundraising efforts to launch the program. In addition, served as a member of the Creation of Centers of Excellence for Computational Neuropharmacology at Yale and Material Science at the University of Connecticut. Has had a leading hand in establishing R&D tax credits for all high-tech firms in the state and the state matching program for SBIR Phase I grants.

An expert in investment trends in high-tech and medicine, Mendelson has assumed a voluntary consulting leadership role in the state, helping to promote a culture of entrepreneurship in Connecticut. Served as a member of the state Biotech Cluster Task Force, conceiving the idea for $100 million Biotech Facilities Fund and co-promoter of a $10 million biotech seed fund for Connecticut Innovations. For his work with Connecticut Innovations, he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1994. For the last three years, he’s also been a member of the Connecticut Technology Council and was awarded the CVG 2005 Leadership Award.

Insight: A VC since 1982, Mendelson entered the field after cutting his teeth as an assistant analyst to the Vice President of Aetna Bond Investors, positioning the company as a major player in equity capital. His formula for success is a lot of hard work – “do the due diligence” – and a sixth sense for good deals. “You never have perfect information before doing a deal,” Mendelson said. “It either doesn’t exist or there’s not enough time to aggregate it all. You learn to rely on a combination of experience and intuition in making judgments.” For entrepreneurs, encourages them to think boldly. Capital equity is available for companies with a proven track record, strong management team and a solid business plan. Networking at Venture Forums helps draw the attention of VCs.

Personal: A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford and the University of Connecticut Law School