Purdue University, Purdue Research Foundation to host entrepreneurial event in Kokomo
November 21, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., and KOKOMO, Ind. - Kokomo-area entrepreneurs are invited to join experts in the entrepreneurship process from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 during the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at Inventrek Technology Park, 700 E. Firmin St.
Sponsored in part by Purdue University's College of Technology and Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), the one-day workshop will cover business planning, sales and marketing, intellectual property, fundraising, and financing. Two panel discussions will focus on the lessons learned by successful entrepreneurs and those who reevaluated their entrepreneurial plans.
"We're taking the model that has been successfully used on campus for faculty and students and bringing it to Kokomo," said Matt McKillip, executive director of Purdue Tech Ventures. "We also added the panel discussion from entrepreneurs whose ideas didn't pan out. These lessons are informative. In fact, some venture capitalists won't hire a CEO or fund an entrepreneur until they have a failure or two under their belt."
Elizabeth Hart-Wells, assistant vice president and director of the Office of Technology Commercialization, said turning ideas into products and services for the public can be a lengthy process.
"OTC project managers work with Purdue faculty, staff and students to help explain the process of evaluating, protecting and commercializing intellectual property, including partnering with an existing company or creating a new business altogether," she said. "Attendees at the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp will understand this process better, which could lead to economic development and job growth throughout Greater Kokomo and the surrounding area."
Other event sponsors are the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) and Inventrek Technology Park, which is managed by the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.
Jeb Conrad, president and CEO of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, said the event may benefit a wide range of business owners and entrepreneurs.
"New ideas for processes and products benefit every economic sector, not just those considered high-tech," he said. "Our presenters understand this, and their information is tailored to benefit entrepreneurs across all industries, including agriculture, life sciences, manufacturing, engineering, retail, information technology and others."
Monty Henderson, business advisor at the Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center, said the event is important because entrepreneurism drives the American economy.
"Small businesses generated 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years. These businesses often are started by entrepreneurs who have nothing more than an idea and need assistance in moving forward," he said. "With new opportunities across multiple industries, the economy becomes even more diversified and strong, which benefits workers and consumers alike."
Scheduled presenters at the event include Andy Baker, AndyMark; Ed Brown, Peoplebase; Susan Davis, ISBDC; John Hanak, Purdue Research Foundation; Jim Harter, Zuna Info Tech; Dave Heilman, Tau Labs/DuPont Photo Masks; Monty Henderson, ISBDC; Lisa Pflueger, Market Vibes; Brent Seaman, FrontLine Logic; Mike Stegall, Community First Bank; and Hilton Turner, Purdue Research Foundation.
The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp ends with networking time so participants can interact with attending representatives from funding agencies and venture firms.
For more information about the event, visit http://blog.tech.purdue.edu/techpurdue/?p=1244. To register by the Dec. 2 deadline, call 765-457-2000.
About Purdue University's College of Technology
The College of Technology educates future managers and leaders of technologies; accelerates technology transfer to business, industry, government, and education; and develops innovations in the application of emerging technology through learning, discovery, and engagement.
About Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization
Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the United States. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities.
About Indiana Small Business Development Center
The mission of the Indiana Small Business Development Center is to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth and sustainability of small businesses in Indiana and to develop a strong entrepreneurial community.
About Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance
In 2006, an effort to identify the most efficient and effective way to approach economic development activities for Kokomo and Howard County began. Through studies and open dialog, the community made the decision that it would be in our best interest to merge the current development corporation and its business incubator with the chamber and the urban enterprise association, as all play some role in economic development. This new organization, the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance (http://www.greaterkokomo.com), was formed through that merger in 2009.
Contacts:
Steven Lincoln, College of Technology, 765-494-9201, slincoln@purdue.edu
Steve Martin, Purdue Research Foundation, 765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org
Sources:
Jeb Conrad, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, 765-457-2000, jconrad@greaterkokomo.com
Monty Henderson, Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center, 765-454-7922, mhenderson@isbdc.org
Matt McKillip, Purdue Tech Ventures, 765-494-2554, mmckillip@purdue.edu
Hilton Turner, Purdue Research Foundation, 765-588-3479, haturner@prf.org
