Upcoming Workshop: Connecting Entrepreneurs to Capital on Sept. 12, Lake Charles, LA

Join the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance for a free workshop in Lake Charles, LA. Connecting Entrepreneurs to Capital will open with a discussion of the key recommendations in IEDC’s technical assistance report, which was delivered in early 2013.

Connecting Entrepreneurs to Capital

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2013

Time: 08:00am – 12:00pm CST

Location: SEED Center, 4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605

Cost: Free

Designed for small business support organizations, funders, and entrepreneurs, this interactive four-hour workshop will provide practical strategies and best-practice case information for connecting entrepreneurs at all stages, from start-ups to long-established companies seeking opportunities for growth, to public and private sources of capital.

Attendees will learn how to:

Partner with regional stakeholders such as private firms, lending institutions, and economic development organizations to leverage and expand the region’s capital resources.
Develop local funding structures, such as community development finance institutions, revolving loan funds, and networks of private lenders and investors.
Attract additional outside capital to the region, such as venture funding, seed/angel funding, and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.
Match entrepreneurs with appropriate sources of capital.

Agenda

7:30 – 8:00am Registration

8:00 – 8:10am Introductions

8:10 – 8:20am Review IEDC Report Recommendations

8:20 – 8:30am Report Q&A

8:30 – 10:30am Connecting Entrepreneurs to Capital

10:30 – 10:45am Break

10:45 – 11:30am Connecting Entrepreneurs to Capital: Case Studies

11:30am – 12:00pm Q&A + Next Steps

Space is limited, so register today!

Instructor

Jon Gregory

Managing Director, Innovate North State

Jon Gregory is a Managing Director of Innovate North State, the leading regional innovation catalyst organization in California’s North State. Mr. Gregory is also a General Partner in the new Northern California Investment Fund, a regional angel investment fund making seed-stage equity investments in high-potential entrepreneurs.

Innovate North State culminates Mr. Gregory’s 28-year quest to bring about a new rural economic development paradigm where innovation and entrepreneurship are considered essential ingredients for sustained economic growth.

Mr. Gregory previously founded Golden Capital Network, where he served as President and CEO. Golden Capital Network has hosted over 50 start-up and early-stage venture forums across the State in rural and metropolitan areas. Since then, start-ups showcased at these events received over $1.5 billion in angel or venture capital investments and created thousands of jobs.

Mr. Gregory is a frequently speaks on the topic of building innovation and entrepreneur ecosystems in California as well as nationally.

With funding from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, this workshop is produced by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). IEDC would like to thank the Entergy Corporation and Louisiana Economic Development for their assistance on this project.

*This workshop is not eligible for CEcD re-certification credits.

Suggested Accommodations

L’Auberge Lake Charles
777 Avenue L’Auberge
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337.395.7777 or 866.580.7444