Event offers opportunity for entrepreneurs

Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on January 18, 2016

I am very excited to share information about an amazing (and FREE!) opportunity for local business owners, inventors, entrepreneurs and anyone with an idea or a dream. We are teaming up with our friends at Accelerate UP, Invent@NMU, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Marquette Chamber of Commerce and Northern Initiatives to bring you Marquette Area’s Entrepreneur Eco-System Meet-Up and After-Hours Networking Event. You may be asking, what is that? I assure you, you won’t want to miss this extremely informative event that will showcase the many resources available to assist you with your business or idea. Where else can you get the collective expertise and resources of six organizations in one place?

This event will take place on Thursday, January 21 on NMU’s campus in the C.B. Hedgecock Building Atrium beginning at 5:30 p.m. The goal of this event is to provide an opportunity for small business owners, entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs of all types and at all stages to gain a better understanding of the business resources, connections and expertise available to them through the sponsoring organizations. This unique event allows community member’s to experience the ultimate in information gathering, brainstorming and business networking.

As part of this event, there will be a unique “Speed Networking Session” for registered attendees. Modeled after the popular speed-dating concept, participants will be able to sign-up for a 3-minute one-one-one idea brainstorming session with the sponsoring organization that best suits their needs. This is meant to be a high-impact, structured feature that’s also informative and fast paced. Following the speed networking session, participants are encouraged to continue to mingle, enjoy refreshments and network with peers and other business resources attending the event.

Are you wondering if this event is for you? This event is open to all dreamers, small-business owners, entrepreneurs at any level including “wanna-be” entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers and other business people with the goals and aspirations of bringing to life an idea, launching a new product or service or starting their own business. If you’re looking for guidance and support for your vision, the first step is to attend this event. If you are an entrepreneur looking for connections, know-how and inspiration this event is a must.

Registration and networking begins at 5:15 p.m. with opening remarks promptly at 6:15 p.m. Speed networking begins at 6:30 p.m. and the event concludes with networking from 7:30-8 p.m.  Pre-registration is not required, but it is encouraged. Click here to pre-register. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be available.

Are you a current business owner or entrepreneur? Do you have an idea or dream that just needs that little something to make it come true? Simply curious about the resources in our community? Then this is where you want to be on January 21. We are fortunate to live in a community with many organizations available to assist you in any stage of the process. By these organizations coming together in one place at one time, we hope to remove any confusion or apprehension you may have about where to go for development services! Start the New Year off right by joining us and together we can get your idea or business on the right track for 2016.

Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.