Recently,
The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network was awarded a $10,000
grant from the
Pacific Power
Foundation to support the OEN
Entrepreneurial Services
Outreach Volunteer Training Program.
This training is the next phase of a pilot
outreach program that was launched in 2006 and will benefit
entrepreneurs and investors alike in Hood River, Pendleton,
Joseph and Enterprise.
In 2006,
OEN received grant funds from the US Economic Development
Administration to extend its educational programs to a
broader geographic region in the state and to build the
infrastructure for a state-wide angel investor network. An
advisory committee, comprised of 3 Economic Development
District and Small Business Development Center Directors,
was convened to determine what business development
resources were lacking and needed in Hood River, Pendleton,
Joseph and Enterprise. The number one need was
“Networking”; the number two need was
“Business Plan Development” from concept, to
business plan development, mentoring, review and
funding.
To
address these needs, a popular OEN networking/educational
program, PubTalk™ was replicated and launched in the
communities listed above. This successful program allows
ample time for networking before the keynote presentation.
Typically, two early stage companies seeking advice or
capital investment present 10 minute “pitches”
to the audience directly after the keynote speaker. As
well-seasoned executives, keynote speakers provide advice
and guidance related to many of the issues, challenges and
opportunities less experienced entrepreneurs will face
along the path to success. To date, six events have been
launched, five companies have been profiled, and one of
these companies has connected with an investor.
The
Entrepreneurial Services
Outreach Volunteer Training Program
willbuild on the success of the PubTalk™
program by 1) Identifying and recruiting local volunteer
business experts 2) Establishing an Entrepreneurial
Services Committee in Hood River, Pendleton and
Joseph/Enterprise to plan for future PubTalk™
programs and Start Up Services Workshops, 3) Providing
local Volunteer Committee Member Training by experienced
OEN volunteer counterparts, 4) Providing on-going e-support
via OEN volunteer counterparts and OEN web portal.
This mutual-collaboration area of Second Life is assisted by
TechSoup.com, a technology provider for non-profit orgs. The
Nonprofit commons is not only a site for non-profit
collaboration, but for events as well. If you visit the area or
stop by the NPSL page (
secondlife.techsoup.org/),
you can check out the event calendar or subscribe to an RSS or
iCal feed for event info. Need more of a reason to visit the
Nonprofit commons? Then read
Penguin Kuhn's
blog post about the importance of the Nonprofit commons in
Second Life.
