Hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, training, mentoring, contacts with venture capitalists, online resources ... it's all coming your way if you are an entrepreneur or small business owner. The Startup America Partnership, now in its own startup stage, will bring cross-sector and high-octane help to small businesses.

Competition Helps Women-Owned Businesses Plan for Success

by Geri Stengel on Oct 19, 2010 - 9:51am

business plan Commentary / Opinion competition Small Business Women Entrepreneurship women-owned business

As many of you know, I enjoy mentoring, coaching, and serving as a judge in business plan competitions. Competitions that guide entrepreneurs in their preparation for the competition provide enormous value to those seeking angel and venture capital as well as to nonprofits seeking grant money. By the end of the competition, the proposed enterprises have been tweaked and vetted so they are better able to attract the support they need, and are more likely to succeed.

Springboard Enterprises is the most comprehensive program I’ve been involved in.

Sorry guys, this is for women only.

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SIEX 10 Competition Teaches Nonprofit New Way of Thinking

by Geri Stengel on Jun 15, 2010 - 10:18am

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The Doe Fund is no newbie in the nonprofit world. For 25 years, the organization has run very successful programs in New York City and Philadelphia helping homeless people become self-sufficient.

Entrepreneur Takes Recycling to New Level

by Geri Stengel on Jun 8, 2010 - 8:00am

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If you think you've reduced your carbon footprint all you can, think again. By looking at the problem of landfills from two sides – not putting stuff in them and taking stuff out of them – a company founded in 2001 by then 19-year-old Tom Szaky has gone well beyond the blue recycling bins we all know and use (don't we?) to upcycling, the reuse of trash.

It all started with worms and a Princeton Business Plan contest.

Calling All Would-be Entrepreneurs: Do Your Homework If You Want to Pass the Test

by Geri Stengel on May 20, 2010 - 8:00am

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The economy is beginning to recover, the Obama administration has proposed $30 billion fund for loans to small businesses: Is this the time to start your own business?

Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Social Enterprises Will Benefit From Ventureneer's Free eBook

by Geri Stengel on Mar 2, 2010 - 11:45am

business plan entrepreneur entrepreneurship small business small business owner Tips tips

As a teacher, consultant, nonprofit board member, and entrepreneur, I've learned a lot about starting and growing a business. I'm distilling the key points into a series of free ebooks for small businesses – that includes commercial businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises.

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