Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation is Looking for 8 Great Women Entrepreneurs

Source: Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation

Nominations are now open for the third annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards, the most prestigious awards for women entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara County.

The winners will be announced at the gala Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards dinner on Friday, May 10, 2013. Outstanding women entrepreneurs will be recognized their success and contributions to the economy in eight categories. The categories are:

• Beauty/Fitness

• Communications/Media /Publishing

• Emerging Business (less than 2 yrs old)

• Hospitality/Tourism

• Medical/Science/Technology

• Professional Services*

• Retail /Wholesale/Manufacturing

• Rock Star: Life Achievement Award

*Open to any profession that requires a license like accounting, legal, real estate, etc.

The nominations are open to any woman entrepreneur in Santa Barbara County. "We have added a new category this year for Emerging Businesses to level the playing field for women who are just starting their businesses,” says Cathy Feldman, Board Chair/ CEO of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation. "Anyone can nominate herself or someone else just by going to our website, www.soefoundation.org and clicking Nominations and filling out the form. The deadline is February 22, so the sooner you do it, the better.”

Feldman points out that the selection of the winners will be done by "independent judges who are not connected with the Foundation to preserve the integrity of the Awards.” The top three nominees in each category will be recognized, but the winners will not be announced until the dinner at the Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort, just like the Oscars. Lynda Weinman, co-founder/executive chair of lynda.com, will be the MC for the event.

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards Event is held in conjunction with the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Santa Barbara City College. A week before the Awards event, the Scheinfeld Center will put on their New Venture Challenge, a two-tiered business pitch competition for SBCC students and area high school students to promote youth entrepreneurship. There will be three student prizes at both the college and high school level. The winners of both tiers of the New Venture Challenge Awards will be not only be the Foundation's guests and receive their prizes at the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards dinner, the proceeds from the Awards will also fund cash prizes for the student winners.

"The mission of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation is to support entrepreneurship at all levels in Santa Barbara County because entrepreneurs are the engine for growing our economy,” Feldman added. "By recognizing both women and student entrepreneurs with the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards, we believe we are making an important contribution.”

The winners of the 2012 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards are:

Health/Fitness/Beauty: Kathy Gruver, Healing Circle Massage

Hospitality/Tourism: Merryl Brown, Merryl Brown Events

Professional Services: Karen Mora, Accountability Plus

Publishing, Communications & Media: Rachael Steidl, ParentClick.com

Real Estate/Construction: Carol Ashley, Demo2Design

Science/Technology/Manufacturing: Darya Bronston, CoreFitnessRoller

Wholesale/Retail: Kelly Jensen, Jensen AudioVisual

Rock Star (Life Achievement): Mindy Bingham, Academic Innovations

For more information about the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards go to www.soefoundation.org or email info@soefoundation.org or call 805-682-8380

FALL RIVER — The Academic Center for Entrepreneurship at Bristol Community College wants nominees for its sixth annual entrepreneurship awards this spring.

Nominations are due by Feb. 15 and may go to individuals or groups in three categories: developing entrepreneur, for companies less than 10 years old; cornerstone entrepreneur, for well-established firms deemed important to the region, and benevolent entrepreneur, for businesses that have made positive contributions to the environment or region.

The panel of judges is comprised of the members of the ACE Advisory Board. The judging criteria will include a general assessment of the company's recent performance, strategic direction, product or service demand, company leadership characteristics including personal integrity and values and level of community involvement.

For more information, contact Jeanne Girard at 508-678-2811, ext. 2695, or jeanne.girard@bristolcc.edu.

STAFF REPORT

Event Presented by Gateway to Entrepreneurship at Westchester Community College and County Office of Economic Development

WHITE PLAINS, NY (November 2012) – More than 120 people interested in starting or growing a business learned what it takes to succeed in business from a distinguished panel of Westchester entrepreneurs at the Westchester Grow Conference for Entrepreneurs held November 13 at The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College.

The lively and informative panel discussion was the first part of two-part conference for small business owners co-presented by the Westchester County Office of Economic Development and the Gateway to Entrepreneurship (G2E) at Westchester Community College.

The distinguished panel of successful Westchester entrepreneurs gave advice to a lively and engaged audience about what it takes to survive and thrive. Panelists included: James Bernardo, Candela Systems Corp.; Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, Thompson & Bender; Renee Brown, C.W. Brown; Jon Dorf, Dorf & Nelson; Robert Glazer, ENT & Allergy Associates ; Wiley Harrison, Business of Your Business; Peter Herrero, New York Hospitality Group ; Tom Kallish, Tommie Copper ; Tara Meenan Lansen, Compufit ; Stewart Strauss, Strauss Paper; and Scott Vaccaro, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. The panel was moderated by Laurence Gottlieb, Director of the County Office of Economic Development, and Caryn McBride, Editor of The Journal News.

"We were extremely pleased with the program and the tremendous turnout. The panelists were outstanding and provided valuable insight in the lessons they've learned as successful entrepreneurs. The Grow Conference series is designed to connect people with the information, financial and human resources they need to start or expand a business. Hopefully, this first event in the series will help those already in business and inspire those who want to start a business,” said Mr. Gottlieb.

The Westchester Grow Conference for Entrepreneurs is the first part of a two-part conference co-presented by the Gateway to Entrepreneurship (G2E) at Westchester Community College and Westchester County Office of Economic Development. A two-day conference planned for May 2 and 3 will feature an all-day workshop and networking reception.

"Our partnership with the Office of Economic Development to present the Grow Conference Series is our commitment to connect entrepreneurs with available resources that will help them start or bring their business to the next level,” said Eridania Camacho, Assistant Director of the Gateway Center and Coordinator of the Gateway to Entrepreneurship. G2E at Westchester Community College is a resource hub for entrepreneurial development at all stages, facilitating programs that respond to entrepreneurs' needs and contribute to a vibrant local economy.

NEWS RELEASE

Office of the Mayor

November 6, 2012

City to Host First-Ever ‘Startup Weekend Binghamton’ (NY)

Entrepreneurs and their supporters encouraged to participate; limited scholarships available

BINGHAMTON, NY—Mayor Matt Ryan today announced that the City will host the first-ever "Startup Weekend Binghamton” this weekend, November 9^th—11^th, at the Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel and Conference Center. Participants will pitch business startup ideas and form teams to compete for awards and cash prizes. The Binghamton Local Development Corporation (BLDC) will be offering limited scholarships to aspiring local entrepreneurs to participate in the event, which is taking place in conjunction with National Entrepreneurship Month.

"Binghamton is committed to growing our own businesses, and supporting entrepreneurship is critical to meeting that goal,” said Mayor Matt Ryan. "This event will help to cultivate innovative ideas for business development, create new jobs and promote practices that will strengthen our local economy. Hosting Startup Weekend Binghamton also is a great way to commemorate National Entrepreneurship Month.”

Registration, Scholarships and Other Details

Registration is $99 for everyone except students, for whom the rate is $65. Registration is available online at binghamton.startupweekend.org. Anyone interested in receiving a scholarship to Startup Weekend Binghamton should send their resume and a brief paragraph describing why they want to participate in the event to binghamton@startupweekend.org. Whether paid or by scholarship, registration includes meals Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday night’s activities will include dinner, an open mic for participants to pitch their business ideas, a vote for the top 15 ideas and the formation of teams to transform each of the winning ideas into a marketable business model. On Saturday and Sunday, the teams will develop these ideas with the help of seasoned entrepreneurs and then present them to a panel of judges. The event will conclude with the judges awarding prizes to the best business model, including $3,500 in cash prizes and more than $6,000 in services such as advertising, accounting and legal fees.

"We’re always looking for ways to expand the Southern Tier’s network of entrepreneurs and their supporters, and Startup Weekend Binghamton is an excellent opportunity that we’re ready to seize,” said BLDC Executive Director Merry Harris. "We’re excited for what this event will bring, and we encourage those interested to register and attend.”

Sponsors

The City of Binghamton thanks the many participating businesses and sponsors, including Visions Federal Credit Union, the Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel & Conference Center, Binghamton University, Broome Community College, Newman Development Group, LLC, SUNY Research Foundation, NBT Bank, Broome County and the Broome County IDA, Upstate Venture Association of New York, Inc., Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology, Diamond Visionics, Davison Fox & Company, Press and Sun-Bulletin Media, RS Webworks, Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Price Chopper, Weis Markets, National Pipe & Plastic, Inc., Mirabito Energy Products, Binghamton Hots, Lupo’s Spieides, 3i Graphics & Design, Chobani Greek Yogurt, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition and Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity.

Contacts:

Andrew Block, Office of the Mayor

(607) 772-7001, awblock@cityofbinghamton.com

Global Entrepreneurship Week at ICC (KS)

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is November 12-18, 2012 and the Successful Entrepreneur Program at Independence Community College (KS) and the Innovative Business Resource Center (IBRC) are planning special events to observe GEW. Sponsored by the Kauffmann Foundation, Dell, and NYSE Euronext, GEW is designed to promote the idea of entrepreneurship among people and organizations. Jim Correll who heads the Successful Entrepreneur Program at ICC, along with current program participants will lead the following events:

• Nov. 12 – IBRC Entrepreneurs Brown Bag Lunch, iMall Innovation Room, 325 N Penn, Independence, 11:30 am
  
  
• Nov. 13 – Entrepreneurship Booth at the ICC Career Fair for grades 3-12 on the ICC campus
  
  
• Nov. 14 – Entrepreneurship Booth at Career Day at Field-Kindley HS in Coffeyville for grades 7 – 12
  
  
• Nov. 14 - Presentation at Kauffman Foundation, regarding experiences in using "Ice House” in ICC’s first semester "Entrepreneurial Mindset” class
  
  
• Nov. 15 – Creativity Workshop with artist Jackie Haltom
  
  
• Nov. 15 – Entrepreneur Showcase hosted at Kansas Celebrity Hall of Fame, 212 N Penn, Independence, 4:30-6 pm

"This is a great opportunity to recognize the value of entrepreneurship and the power of an entrepreneurial mindset in our communities,” says Correll. "We have seen such wonderful outcomes from our latest class ’Entrepreneurial Mindset’ that not only will we offer the class at ICC next semester, but also as an evening course on the Coffeyville Community College technical campus. Even those not wanting to go out on their own, can benefit from "the mindset”, becoming a more valuable employee to any organization.”

Many of the activities for this week are available to the general public. Those interested in any of these events, can contact Correll; jcorrell@indycc.edu or call 620-332-5470. More information about Global Entrepreneurship Week can be seen at www.gewusa.org.

Northern Montgomery County Named as a NetWork Kansas 2012 Entrepreneurship (E-) Community; Awarded $75,000 in Tax Credits to Create Local Loan Fund for Entrepreneurs

Independence, Kansas, October 29, 2012 --- NetWork Kansas announced today that Northern Montgomery County was selected as a 2012 Entrepreneurship (E-) Community and has been awarded $75,000 in tax credits, enabling the Northern Montgomery County E-Community to raise $100,000 to be loaned to local businesses. Northern Montgomery County joins a group of thirty-seven other E-Communities.

"In today's challenging economy, communities need to be vigilant in promoting small businesses in any way that is available to them. The E-Community program provides the tools that our small rural communities need to promote the growth and development of our small businesses. The future of Cherryvale and Independence is dependent on the development of small businesses, and we look forward to helping foster this commitment to small business development thanks to the E-Community Program, and ensuring a strong future for our communities,” said Trisha Palmer, Interim Director of the Montgomery County Action Council.

The E-Community partnership, now in its sixth year, has grown from six communities in 2007 to thirty-eight in 2012. The NetWork Kansas E-Community partnership allows a town, a cluster of towns, or an entire county to raise seed money for local entrepreneurs through donations from individuals or businesses within the community. During the first five years of the E-Community partnership, more than $6 million have been raised. These funds are estimated to generate more than $34.1 million of investment in rural businesses across Kansas.

"We are very pleased to become an E-Community for Northern Montgomery County not only because of the gap loan pool we'll create, but also to work together with our partners in Cherryvale to build a stronger entrepreneurial support community,” said Jim Correll, Executive Vice President, Innovative Business Resource Center.

Northern Montgomery County assembled a local leadership team of representatives from Independence, Cherryvale, and the county to apply for consideration during the 2012 E-Community Competitive Round. The E-Community leadership team includes: Jim Correll, John Bullard, Tina Cunningham, Trisha Palmer, Micky Webb, Lisa Wilson, and Liz Moore. The leadership team will determine the strategy and vision for the E-Community. A separate financial review board will evaluate prospective loan applications from local businesses.

"Creating the E-Community loan fund is a wonderful opportunity for Independence. Promoting small business development and encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs are great ways for our community to expand and prosper. The funds from this grant will provide financial opportunities to spur growth in Independence. Just watch us grow!" said Lisa Wilson, President/CEO, Independence Chamber of Commerce.

The leadership team submitted a detailed written application to NetWork Kansas in August before being chosen as a finalist. An in-person interview was held between NetWork Kansas and the leadership team this fall that led Director of E-Communities, Erik Pedersen, and Product Manager, Anne Dewvall, to recommend to the NetWork Kansas Board of Directors that Northern Montgomery County be approved as a 2012 E-Community.

"Many of our partner communities are doinginnovative things tohelp fostera flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem," said NetWork Kansas Director of E-Communities Erik Pedersen, "They have worked to define a process for connecting startup businesses with resources,and toprovide specialty assistance that canfacilitate business expansions as well as creating this important gap financing component."

Northern Montgomery County has until mid-December to raise donations in exchange for the tax credits it has been awarded. Interested donors should contact Jim Correll about tax credit availability. The tax credits are valued at 75% of donations and offset state income tax liabilities for individuals or businesses.

These funds will then be available beginning in January 2013 to be awarded to local businesses as matching loans. The establishment of the E-Community loan fund represents a significant accomplishment for Northern Montgomery County and is the result of ongoing collaboration between area banks and entrepreneurs. In addition to the establishment of the E-Community loan fund, Northern Montgomery County will also complete a series of strategic activities during 2013 designed to enhance the effectiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in order to drive long-term economic growth.

Seven other communities were also named as 2012 E-Communities in addition to Northern Montgomery County. The following communities were granted a collective total of $675,000 in tax credits, enabling them to raise $900,000 to be loaned to local businesses in their community. The 2012 E-Communities are: Ellis County, Humboldt, Liberal, Montgomery County, Reno County, Sherman County, Wabaunsee County, and Wichita County.

Since 2007, NetWork Kansas E-Communities have loaned or granted $2.1 million to businesses in their communities through this funding source and leveraged an additional $11.9 million dollars, for a total investment of $14 million dollars into businesses in E-Communities. This funding has spurred the creation or retention of nearly 551 jobs in these same communities and has immeasurable positive effects on the entrepreneurial ecosystems of these participating areas.

To learn more about the Northern Montgomery County E-Community,
Contact:
Jim Correll, Executive Vice-President, Innovative Business Research Center
620.332.5470
jcorrell@indycc.edu

To learn more about the E-Community Partnership, Contact:
Erik Pedersen, Director of E-Communities
316.978.7310
epedersen@networkkansas.com

About NetWork Kansas:
NetWork Kansas was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Backed by more than 500 partners statewide, the NetWork Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed. For more information about NetWork Kansas, visit www.networkkansas.com, or call 877.521.8600.

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Independence Community College and Coffeyville Community College
Presidents Announce Collaboration

In a partnership between Independence Community College (KS) and Coffeyville Community College (KS), a revolutionary new approach to entrepreneurship education will be offered on the Coffeyville Community College Technical Campus next semester as part of the Successful Entrepreneur Program at Independence Community College.

"I'm tremendously pleased that we've created a way to collaborate academically with CCC," said ICC President Daniel Barwick. "This program lets us approach entrepreneurship regionally, and will be a model for a sharing of human resources and facilities among the two community colleges." Linda Moley, President of CCC, agrees. "This is a real victory for efficiency and for the county-wide delivery of educational services," she said. "My hope is that this is just the beginning."

The "Entrepreneurial Mindset" course, featuring the new "Ice House Entrepreneurship" curriculum, inspires and engages participants in the fundamental aspects successful entrepreneurs use to recognize problems in the marketplace as business opportunities. The curriculum also demonstrates how entrepreneurs seize those opportunities, many times with limited resources.

"This approach emphasizes how entrepreneurs recognize problems and then provide solutions that people want or need," said Jim Correll, facilitator/business coach of the Successful Entrepreneur Program. Through video interviews and local entrepreneurial guests, participants are exposed to the tacit knowledge in the minds of entrepreneurs that makes them successful. The first class was initiated in August in Independence and continues through the first week of December.

Brian Hight, co-owner of Magnolia Health and Home in Independence and participant in this semester’s Entrepreneurial Mindset class says "Small business will be the engine that will help Montgomery County grow. It takes a certain entrepreneurial mindset to start and grow a business, so having this resource to help develop that mindset available at both colleges will be a big win for our area's economic development."

"Making this curriculum available in both Independence and Coffeyville will inspire more business start-ups and re-inventions than any initiative I've seen since coming to the area in 2000," says Correll.

There will be a section of the class offered next semester in both Independence and Coffeyville. For more information or to pre-enroll, contact Jim Correll at 620-332-5470 or email him at jcorrell@indycc.edu.

From Illinois Valley Community
College’s Community Relations Office
815.224.0465

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, announced today Illinois Valley Community College President Jerry Corcoran has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum.

Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Corcoran is one of three Illinois community college presidents to join.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 186 community colleges have joined, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"IVCC has a long history of supporting entrepreneurship in a number of ways and particularly through services offered from our Small Business Development Center and Business Training Center,” said Corcoran.

"Within the next year, we’ll be moving into our new Peter Miller Community Technology Center and one of the programs I’d love to see housed within the new building’s Center for Innovation and Opportunity is called Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities — ideal for high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about watching their business dreams become realities,” he added.

Other participating Illinois community college presidents are Curtis Oldfield of Spoon River in Canton and Michael Dreith of John A. Logan in Carterville.

The forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state-by-state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country. Participating presidents make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle.

"After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions. One of the major things that clearly make a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

The NACCE, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. For information, visit www.nacce.com.

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Bridgemont Community & Technical College
Contact: Jo Harris, President
jharris@bridgemont.edu
304-734-6601

Bridgemont President Participating in Entrepreneurship Forum

Montgomery, W.V.—Bridgemont’s President, Dr. Jo Harris, is one of over 100 community college presidents who have agreed to become part of the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum.

According to NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is part of NACCE’s response to President Obama’s call to action to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders, launched at the White House in January 2011 and working to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of America’s entrepreneurs.

The five commitments community college presidents who join the new Forum make are:
1) Develop transparency of community college and community assets, 2) create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship, 3) increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges, 4) engage in industry cluster development and 5) create buzz and broad exposure of the college’s commitment to entrepreneurship. "The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "The five commitments represent what we see the leading community colleges doing. One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship. So we want to put something in front of leadership that they can actually commit to. We want to create a national network of institutions sharing these commitments and see what impact that can have on communities.”

Bridgemont, cited as a College of Excellence by the Aspen Institute because of its ranking in the top 10 percent of community colleges nationwide for high retention and graduation rates, awards one-year certificates and two-year associate degrees in many fields including engineering technology, advanced manufacturing, diesel technology, blasting technology, and welding; business and health management; digital design and print communication; dental hygiene, business technology, medical assisting, information technology, and electro-mechanical instrumentation. Customized training on campus or at company sites is available through the workforce development unit. To learn more about Bridgemont, visit www.bridgemont.edu <http://www.bridgemont.edu> or call 304.734.6600 to arrange a campus visit.

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North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and Eight Surrounding County Economic Development Centers Announce 2012 "Dream Big Grow Here” Competition

North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has partnered with the counties of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth and Wright and the University of Northern Iowa to offer an online contest worth $15,000 to regional entrepreneurs and small business owners. The competition begins September 19, 2012.

Contestants can win cash and gain statewide publicity by competing in one of several online contests, followed by a statewide Pitch-Off event during the annual EntreFest! conference.

The Dream Big Grow Here grant contest is an opportunity for Iowans to fulfill their dreams of self-employment or expansion of their current firm. Entrants compete online at www.DreamBigGrowHere.com and encourage customers, friends, family, and community members to vote for them. The winner of each regional contest receives a $5,000 cash award and a chance to compete for $10,000 at the state level.

Ten regional contests are planned for 2012, including the NIACC Pappajohn Center which begins September 19.

To participate, entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the website to determine their eligibility, upload a video, PowerPoint slide show or photographs outlining their plans during the contestant entry phase, which is September 19 – October 17. The public may vote for them between October 18 and October 31. There will be a pitch-off on Monday, November 12 of the top five vote getters from 1:00– 4:00 p.m. in the NIACC Pappajohn Business Incubator.

Lead sponsor for Dream Big Grow Here 2012 is the Iowa Bankers Association. John Sorensen, president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association notes that, "Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the heart and soul of Iowa’s economy. They provide jobs for thousands of Iowans and economic growth for our local communities. The Dream Big Grow Here grants are a terrific way for Iowa banks to help recognize the hard work and commitment of Iowa’s entrepreneurs.”

Dream Big Grow Here is sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa MyEntreNet, the Iowa Bankers Association, Renew Rural Iowa, ISU Community Vitality Center, Iowa Economic Development Authority, VentureNet, Delta Dental of Iowa and the Technology Association of Iowa.

For more information on the Dream Big Grow Here competition and for complete rules, go to www.DreamBigGrowHere.com or contact Tim Putnam at putnatim@niacc.edu or 641-422-4192.

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"They're going to look at their own lives and say, 'Let's do this,'" she says.

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A center at Glendale Community College designed to help link Arizona small businesses with federal contracts is gaining traction across the Phoenix area.

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) began operating toward the end of February, but had its ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at Glendale Community College, where the program is headquartered. There are also satellite locations in Yuma, Tucson and Mesa.

The program was set in place to help small businesses find new avenues of revenue, especially from various government agencies.

The United States government is the single largest purchasing agency in the world, as it buys about $500 billion worth of contracts every year, but Arizona businesses haven’t had much of an opportunity to take advantage of those dollars, according to Daniel Ayala, director of the PTAC.

The program is designed to expose some of the opportunities for businesses to create contracts with both federal and state agencies, including school districts, Ayala said.

"It gives Arizona businesses another opportunity to grow their business in a non-traditional way,” he said.

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert announced a $15 million dollar partnership with Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses initiative in Utah. Goldman Sachs has pledged $10 million in lending capital to Utah businesses and another $5 million to mentoring programs for business owners and for classroom education taught at Salt Lake Community College.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) July 20, 2012

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert announced that Salt Lake Community College is the lead educational partner in a $15 million dollar partnership with Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) initiative in Utah. Goldman Sachs has pledged $10 million in lending capital to Utah businesses and another $5 million over five years toward mentoring programs for business owners and for classroom education taught at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).

"Core to the mission of SLCC is economic and workforce development. To be chosen by Goldman Sachs as Utah’s national training partner for building 10,000 Small Businesses is affirmation that we are who we say we are, and now in an even bigger way,” said SLCC President Cynthia Bioteau. "Goldman Sachs’ award of $15 million over the next five years will greatly support our state’s small businesses and corresponding economic outlook.”

Created in 2009 and funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation, 10KSB program will help give Utah small-business owners access to education, support services and capital needed to expand their companies and create new jobs. Salt Lake Community College’s School of Professional and Economic Development will deliver the education portion of the program.

Salt Lake Community College, like other community college partners in this program, will provide small business owners with a practical business education and business support services. Program curriculum was designed and co-delivered by Babson College—a national leader in entrepreneurship education.

"This program compliments the services SLCC currently offers small business owners,” said SLCC Dean of the School of Professional and Economic Development Karen Gunn. "As a result of this program, the College will be better able to meet our mission in providing small business owners with support, better able to leverage local partners, and will have an enhanced ability to engage with national partners to support small business growth—which accounts for more than 80% of the state’s economic growth—in Utah.”

NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy

The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (NIACC JPEC) conducted the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy June 17-21. Thirteen high school students representing seven school districts participated in the Academy. This is the fourteenth year for the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy.

Invitations were extended to all North Iowa juniors and seniors through area high school guidance counselors and teachers earlier this year. Applicants were asked to complete an application packet which included recommendations from teachers, counselors and parents followed by an interview with Pappajohn Center staff. Participants included:

o Charles City - Holly O’Connell

o Clear Lake - John Glynn

o Hampton-Dumont - Becky Wrolson and Mackenzie Benning

o Homeschool - Enoch Pedersen

o Mason City - Bailey O’Brien, Besim Pivic, Grant Johnson, Janikka Costorena, and Jessica Graham

o Newman - Alyssa Lau

o Osage - Starr Huebsch

o Riceville - Alyssa Schwarck.

The objectives of the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy were to introduce students to entrepreneurship, provide students with an opportunity to apply their skills and creativity, help students understand critical thinking skills and give students another career option of being a "job creator” instead of a "job taker.” Part of being a job creator requires development of a business idea and a plan to put that idea into action. During the week-long academy, student teams completed this challenge and developed business plans for their unique business ideas.

Brad and Angie Barber, owners of Cabin Coffee Company; Randy Smit, Dordt College Professor; and Tim Putnam, NIACC John Pappajohn Entreprenurial Center associate director, served as instructors. Tom Kirby, Mason City High School and Diana Wright and Abby Nolte, Iowa State University students served as overnight counselors during the academy. Two former YEA graduates also assisted the attendees during the week, they included: Spencer Stensrude, NIACC/Buena Vista and Katie Cash, Clear Lake High School/NIACC. The participants got first hand advice on financials for their businesses from representatives from accounting firms of Hogan-Hansen, Kevin Dolphin CPAs and RSM McGladrey.

Following the daily classroom activities, the students traveled to several area businesses to learn first-hand knowledge from area entrepreneurs. This year’s academy highlighted Charles City, Mason City and Clear Lake areas where the students listened to the entrepreneurial stories of how these businesses were formed. Sunday afternoon the participants heard from Tom & Annette Cruse at Pita Pit and then completed the Ropes Course at the YMCA directed by Chelsie Wood. Monday’s tours were to Charles City to Jendro Sanitation with owner Alan Powell, Rustic Corner with owner Tami Vetter and Three C’s Bistro with James Cavanaugh. The second day they toured Eternity Wireless with Steve Ross and Brian Hendrikson, TeamQuest with Cindy Chizek, Brad Kunst and Vernon Johnson and GeJo’s by The Lake with owners Gene and Pat Galasso. The final entrepreneur that talked and fed the students was Mike Owens from Owens Family Concessions ETC on Wednesday evening.

The final day on Thursday, group PowerPoint presentations were given to an audience of 50 including families, friends and four "investors.” Alan Powell, Jendro Sanitation; Veronica Litterer, Director of the Charles City Area Chamber; Brian Randall, All State Insurance; and Mark Olchefske, Director of the North Iowa Business Accelerator/Incubator at NIACC served on a panel of "investors” that provided a critique and encouragement for the students’ business plan presentations.

Funding for the 2012 Youth Entrepreneur Academy was provided by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation and Pappajohn Center. Students were able to earn two semester credit hours for attending the Academy or a $500 scholarship for classes taken at NIACC or online.

The national NACCE Innovation Award winning NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center provides college level courses and degree programs in entrepreneurship, as well as comprehensive consulting services for business start-ups, existing industries and owner transitions in the North Iowa region. Space is available for start-up businesses in the North Iowa Business Incubator. For more information, contact the NIACC JPEC at 641-422-4111.

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Goldman Sachs is committing $15 million to help Utah small-business owners gain practical education, find support services and locate capital to expand their companies and add workers.

The New York-based bank, which has its second-largest U.S. operation in Salt Lake City, is pledging $10 million in lending capital to area businesses and another $5 million over five years toward mentoring programs for business owners and for classroom education taught at Salt Lake Community College.

Goldman’s pledge is part of a wider effort known as "10,000 Small Businesses." The bank, which has been criticized for paying huge bonuses to employees after receiving a $10 billion federal bailout during the financial crisis and is widely known for aggressive trading, has assembled $500 million to help small businesses create jobs by knocking down barriers to growth.

"We believe that contributing to the growth of small businesses will positively benefit communities in Salt Lake City and the state of Utah," Esta Stecher, CEO of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, said in a statement Tuesday.

"By bringing the ... program to this area, we hope to positively impact local communities where our employees have lived and worked since our Salt Lake City office first opened in 2000," Stecher said.

Read more about the components of this program

"It’s a dream come true. It’s fantastic to be a part of this entire competition,” said Capito. "What I learned most about this was the fact that we are all entrepreneurs and at the end of the day we are here to help each other out. It’s just an honor to be able to accept this award tonight and it feels really, really good.”

Capito’s company, DeRossi, provides customers with handmade shirts and jackets customized to the exact specifications of the client. The next venture for the business, which was founded in 2011, will be growing a store within a store model. Visit derossico.com to learn more about DeRossi.

"Jon-Paul has a strong history of being an entrepreneur,” said Jim Tolbert, Business Administration faculty member. "I believe factors that added to his win included his low start-up cost and a high profit margin, and of course his drive to be successful.”

At the awards ceremony the three finalists made investor presentations to a panel of judges, who then selected the champion based on which business they determined was most likely to succeed. The two runners-up were Ivy Tech students Marc Accilien and Steve Miller.

Read more about this competition

Before too long, North Idaho College will be forming its first full class of job creators.

by Burt Stein, Business Editor
for The Post Publications

BLUE BELL PA – Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) "2012 Innovation of the Year” award was recently presented to its Blue Bell-based Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, in collaboration with the college’s Woman-Owned Business Program.

The center works to spur economic development by offering a full range of services for entrepreneurs at every stage of business growth. It grew as an early idea from the woman-owned business program as a way to support local development of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. That program now also includes an ongoing support group, the Montgomery County Woman-Owned Business Network.

Accepting the award were Suzanne Holloman, MCCC dean of workforce development and continuing education; Ayisha Sereni, real estate/management lecturer and the center’s interim director; Kimberle Levin, woman-owned business instructor, and Don Jefferson, business development specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The college annually recognizes one outstanding program or project as its Innovation of the Year award recipient. The projects are evaluated against criteria established by the League for Innovation in the Community College, headquartered in Phoenix AZ.

 
Find out more about this competition!

Media Contacts:
Rossana Weitekamp, 516-593-2413, rossana@weitekamp.com, Weitekamp Communications
Barb Schulte, 816-932-1103; bschulte@kauffman.org, Kauffman Foundation

'Innovation Fund America' program will replicate Lorain County Community College model to connect entrepreneurs to mentorship, education and capital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 31, 2012) – A model for entrepreneurship education and early-stage funding for startups, born in a community college in northeastern Ohio, will make its way to the national stage with the support of a $1 million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The partnership with Lorain County Community College Foundation (LCCC) aims to replicate nationally the Ohio community college's very successful model for mentoring and funding high-growth startups, educating new founders and, in turn, spurring regional economic growth. The project, named Innovation Fund America, will begin with a pilot in three communities around the country, to be selected in the coming months. Kauffman and LCCC aim to eventually scale the model to more schools around the country and build a national network to support them.

"Kauffman has a rich history of working with colleges and universities to build entrepreneurship education programs and curricula because entrepreneurship is a long-term strategy for job development and economic growth," said Thom Ruhe, Kauffman Foundation vice president of entrepreneurship. "With community colleges embedded in more than 1,200 communities across the United States, we see a tremendous opportunity to employ their resources to support, educate and inspire local residents to pursue entrepreneurial ventures."

The Innovation Fund was launched by the Lorain County Community College Foundation in 2007 to support high-growth technology entrepreneurs in the historically manufacturing-centered northeast Ohio. In its first five years, the Fund made nearly 100 awards totaling close to $6 million, leading to $62 million in follow-on funding.

"The Innovation Fund was founded by the Lorain County Community College Foundation to help rekindle entrepreneurship as part of a 'grow your own' strategy for economic advancement," said Dr. Roy Church, president of LCCC.

Kauffman Foundation leaders said the LCCC Innovation Fund, which is now self-sustaining, stood out because of the three critical provisions of its approach to supporting new and young firms: an emphasis on founder mentorship, experiential entrepreneurship education, and improving access to early stage funding.

"Despite being situated in one of the more economically depressed areas of the state, Lorain County Community College, through its Innovation Fund, has had a tremendous and positive impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem of northeast Ohio," Ruhe said. "We believe it's a model that LCCC and Kauffman should replicate in other regions, and we will show that community colleges can, with the right resources, be at the center of local entrepreneur-led growth."

Church concurred, emphasizing that the collaboration between LCCC and Kauffman will lead to a new class of entrepreneurial community colleges.

"This partnership with the Kauffman Foundation places community colleges at the forefront of supporting entrepreneurship," he said. "By showcasing how this model can be replicated, we can enhance community colleges' capacity to accelerate innovation in their communities."

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About the Lorain County Communication College Foundation
The Lorain County Community College Foundation, a separate 501c3 organization, serves as the direct support organization for Lorain County Community College (LCCC), a comprehensive community college serving over 17,000 students annually. The LCCC Foundation generates and manages resources to support LCCC's mission with a focus on entrepreneurship and regional economic development through the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE) – an incubator on campus that has advised more than 2,600 entrepreneurs and formally mentored over 100 companies and is a partnership between LCCC, the Lorain County Commissioners and the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce – and the Innovation Fund, a pre-seed fund that has awarded $5.6 million to 80 early-stage, technology-based companies.


Original Source: http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/1-million-dollar-grant-from-kauffman-foundation-aimed-at-making-community-colleges-a-front-door-for-entrepreneurship.aspx

LOWELL, Mass. – The Merrimack Valley Sandbox recently launched the Sandbox IdeaLaunch, a new initiative aimed to give entrepreneurs a greater chance at success through pitch contests, workshops and intensive programs. Throughout the next six months, the Sandbox IdeaLaunch will hold five pitch contests where people can pitch their ideas. In the fall of this year, a small number of entrepreneurs will be selected to enter a business-plan competition with a prize pool of nearly $50,000. Next year, the program will grow with more entrepreneurs selected and a prize pool of nearly $100,000.

"It takes courage to solicit feedback on an idea, and it takes determination, flexibility, and experimentation to turn an idea into an enterprise. Successful companies of all sizes from Sandbox IdeaLaunch will bring positive social and economic change to the cities and towns of the Merrimack Valley,” says Desh Deshpande , co-founder of the Deshpande Foundation and co-chairman of President Barack Obama’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

On May 30, the Sandbox IdeaLaunch will be holding the first pitch contest. This contest will be focused on technology, web, applications and software ideas. Future contests will revolve around arts, environment, education and other types of ideas. During these contests, entrepreneurs will receive feedback about their ideas, network with experienced entrepreneurs and can win thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

More than 30 organizations and institutions are participating in the Sandbox IdeaLaunch including the city of Lowell, the city of Lawrence, Enterprise Bank, Merrimack Valley YMCA and the University of Massachusetts Lowell (full list of partners: www.sandboxidealaunch.org).

Read more about IdeaLaunch!

CLEVELAND -- Tuesday morning, Mayor Frank Jackson announced a partnership between the city, Cuyahoga Community College and Goldman Sachs for a "10,000 Small Businesses" initiative to help Cleveland-area small businesses gain crucial education, business support services and access to capital.

Goldman Sachs and their foundations are committing $15 million to the Cleveland-area initiative.

Gwenay Coniglio co-owns a small construction management firm. She is interested in what the program may have to offer her business.

"There is a need for this type of program. We need education and money to grow our businesses," she said.

Four years ago, Mayor Jackson was suing Goldman Sachs and 20 other banks and investment firms alleging they were to blame for the devastating impact of foreclosures in Cleveland. The city lost that lawsuit.

The mayor said, "I see them separately. That was then. This is now. This is a business practice that is positive for Cleveland."

Cleveland Councilman Anthony Brancatelli represents Slavic Village, an epicenter of foreclosure . Brancatelli welcomed the investment, but said, " I feel like it's guilt money."

Asked about the perception by some that the program is also about refurbishing Goldman Sachs damaged reputation, Dina Habib Powell of the Goldman Sachs Foundation said, " Look at the results. talk to the mayors and other community college presidents to see how it's worked."


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Each year, Montgomery County Community College recognizes one outstanding program or project as its Innovation of the Year award recipient.The projects are evaluated against criteria established by the League for Innovation in the Community College. Criteria include quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness, replication, creativity and timeliness.

The College’s 2012 Innovation of the Year was awarded to the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, in collaboration with the Woman-Owned Business Program. Accepting the aware were Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education Suzanne Holloman; Real Estate / Management Lecturer and CES Interim Director Ayisha Sereni; Woman Owned Business Instructor Kimberle Levin; and Don Jefferson from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Officially opened in August 2010, the CES plays an active role in economic development by creating leadership, innovation, inspiration and enrichment for the greater community through a full range of business services for entrepreneurs at every stage of business growth.

 Read more about the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies!