Hosted and moderated by Scott Kirsner at his recent "Think Big” get together involving 50 CEOs and founders from companies across New England. This forum focused on whether or not Boston’s lack of mentorship along with an established risk-adverse culture is creating an atmosphere where New England's most promising companies are being sold too soon.

The panel and discussion tackled the issues getting in the way of helping to build the next generation of “pillar” companies in New England. Unique factors discussed included: the negative impact non-competes place on developing and growing businesses; strengthening underperforming university networks to advance entrepreneurial initiatives and seed the talent pool; resetting the BOD focus from a 5-year exit strategy plan to longer-term thinking; and identifying opportunities to be buyer not a seller.

Panelists included Paul Maeder (Highland Capital Partners) and Michael Greeley (IDG Ventures). Audience participation included commentary and perspective from Tim Healy (CEO, EnerNOC), Wendy Caswell (CEO, ZINK Imaging) and Frank Moss (Director, MIT Media Lab), among others.

Thanks to Dan Bricklin for recording the session.