Resources | Moving Ideas to Market

Energizing Young Entrepreneurs in Rural Communities

IGNITE Educator Resources - April 1, 2011 - 1:52pm

This publication brings together significant work on youth entrepreneurship completed by the staff of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the staff of HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC), a partnership between the Nebraska Community Foundation, the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, the Center for Rural Affairs and the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. Any time we conduct a workshop or training, or visit with community practitioners, interest in youth entrepreneurship is always high. We have gained some valuable ideas from youth and their communities across rural America, and thought it was time to share those lessons along with some tools and strategies for engaging young people. We have done this by creating one online publication that can be easily accessed by community practitioners and policymakers alike. In this guide, we will particularly focus on the HTC model. You will also find some snapshots and stories of young entrepreneurs and the communities that support them so you can experience the passion and creativity that we see in rural places all across the country. We hope you are inspired to invite a young person in your community to lunch and really listen to his or her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur!

IGNITE

Categories: Resources

Energizing Young Entrepreneurs in Rural Communities

IGNITE Student Resources - April 1, 2011 - 1:52pm

This publication brings together significant work on youth entrepreneurship completed by the staff of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the staff of HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC), a partnership between the Nebraska Community Foundation, the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, the Center for Rural Affairs and the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. Any time we conduct a workshop or training, or visit with community practitioners, interest in youth entrepreneurship is always high. We have gained some valuable ideas from youth and their communities across rural America, and thought it was time to share those lessons along with some tools and strategies for engaging young people. We have done this by creating one online publication that can be easily accessed by community practitioners and policymakers alike. In this guide, we will particularly focus on the HTC model. You will also find some snapshots and stories of young entrepreneurs and the communities that support them so you can experience the passion and creativity that we see in rural places all across the country. We hope you are inspired to invite a young person in your community to lunch and really listen to his or her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur!

IGNITE

Categories: Resources

Tool for Finding Grants or Loans for Your Startup

Jumpstart Resources - October 28, 2010 - 9:00am

For more entrepreneurs, pursuing grants and loans can be a very intimidating process. In the business world, this is called finding "access to capital."

Try this new tool to see if your business qualifies for any federal, state, or local grants or loans!

http://search.business.gov/startLoans.html

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Categories: Resources

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Jumpstart Resources - July 14, 2010 - 7:39am

This is an excellent resource for any service providers, educational institutions, and other organizations. looking for funding to support entrepreneurial development.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

https://cfda.symplicity.com/index?s=main&mode=list&tab=list

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Categories: Resources

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

IGNITE Educator Resources - July 14, 2010 - 7:39am

This is an excellent resource for any service providers, educational institutions, and other organizations. looking for funding to support entrepreneurial development.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

https://cfda.symplicity.com/index?s=main&mode=list&tab=list

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Categories: Resources

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

EnGen Educator Resources - July 14, 2010 - 7:39am

This is an excellent resource for any service providers, educational institutions, and other organizations. looking for funding to support entrepreneurial development.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

https://cfda.symplicity.com/index?s=main&mode=list&tab=list

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Categories: Resources

Resources for Starting a Business in Michigan - Choosing and Reserving a Name/Filing Forms

Jumpstart Resources - May 13, 2010 - 1:59pm

Do you have THE perfect name for your business? Once you have that name, how do you make sure no one else is using it? Then where do you go to file the forms to start your business?

Choosing a business name

Need some inspiration for choosing a business name?
http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/startupbasics/namingyourbu...

It is a good idea to Google search your business name. Tip: make sure there are not a lot of listings or listings that you might not want a client to associate with your business.
www.Google.com

Department of Labor and Economic Growth: Search for business names by key word, name, or identification numbers.
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp

Reserving a Name/Filing Forms
The process of reserving a business name and filing the necessary forms may seem daunting.

Fortunately, Michigan has set up a One-Stop website that can help guide you through the process. Set up a profile and let the website guide you through all the necessary forms and filings.
http://www.michigan.gov/business

The type of business structure you have chosen for your business will often determine where you must file the necessary documents. If you feel comfortable with filing the necessary forms on your own, here is some information you will need!

*Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietor who wishes to conduct business under a name other than the real name of the person must file a "Certificate of Persons Conducting Business Under an Assumed Name" (DBA) in each county where the business is located.

*General Partnership: A general partnership, like a sole proprietorship, must file a "Certificate of Co-Partnership" or a "Certificate of Persons Conducting Business Under Assumed Name" with the county clerk's office in the counties in which the business is located.

*Corporation: In order to form a corporation, whether profit, nonprofit, or ecclesiastical, Articles of Incorporation must be prepared and filed with the Bureau of Commercial Services.
http://onestophelp.state.mi.us/wiki/Corporation

*Limited Liability Company: The Corporation Division promotes economic development and growth by facilitating the formation of business entities in Michigan. The Division provides services that enable corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships to be formed, and for foreign entities to obtain a certificate of authority to transact business.
http://onestophelp.state.mi.us/wiki/Limited_Liability_Company

*Limited Liability Partnership:
http://onestophelp.state.mi.us/wiki/Limited_Liability_Partnership

* Limited Partnership:
http://onestophelp.state.mi.us/wiki/Limited_Partnership

For more information on choosing business structures:
http://mi2m.wetoo.org/node/6139

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Resources for Starting a Business in Michigan - Choosing a Business Structure

Jumpstart Resources - May 13, 2010 - 1:17pm

Sole proprietorship or a limited partnership? LLC or an LLP? Nonprofit or for profit? For liability and/or tax reasons, choosing the correct business structure for your business is critical, but how do you decide which structure to use? We've collected some great resources to help you find the structure that is best for your business!

Business Structure Informational Resources

Websites
U.S. Small Business Association
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/chooseastructure/START_FOR...

Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth (MI-DELEG)
http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35413-170094--,00.html

Michigan One-Stop
http://onestophelp.state.mi.us/wiki/DLEGBCSCD-1

Books

*Form Your Own Limited Liability Company ~ Anthony Mancuso

*LLC or Corporation?: How to Choose the Right Form for Your Business ~ Anthony Mancuso

*How to Form a Non-Profit Corporation ~ Anthony Mancuso

*How to Start a Business in Michigan ~ Entrepreneur Press

*Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business ~ Fred S. Steingold

*Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business ~ Fred S. Steingold

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Categories: Resources

Business Incubators in MI

Jumpstart Resources - May 6, 2010 - 2:57pm

Looking for local support in getting your business of the ground? Check out our list of business incubators in MI.

BioBusiness Accelerator (Holland)
www.BioBusinessAccelerator.com

Central Michigan University Research Corp
http://www.cmurc.com/

East Lansing Technology Innovation Center:
http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/tic

Kettering University TechWorks:
http://www.ku-tw.com/

M-TEC Smart Zone (Houghton/Hancock)
http://www.mtecsz.com/default.aspx

Mid Michigan Innovation Center
http://midmichiganinnovationcenter.org/

MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources:
http://productcenter.msu.edu/

SPARK Regional Incubator Network (Ann Arbor and Surrounding:)
http://www.annarborusa.org/start-ups/

Starting Block Kitchen Incubator
http://www.startingblock.biz/

Tech Town (Metro Detroit):
http://techtownwsu.org/

West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative
http://www.wmsti.org/

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Categories: Resources

Kauffman Panel on Entrepreneurship Curriculum in Higher Education

EnGen Educator Resources - May 6, 2010 - 1:16pm

The Kauffman Panel on Entrepreneurship Curriculum in Higher Education – a multidisciplinary panel of distinguished scholars - provide recommendations for a comprehensive approach to teaching entrepreneurship to college students. The report is online and available for download.

In January 2006, the Foundation formed the Kauffman Panel on Entrepreneurship Curriculum in Higher Education – a multidisciplinary panel of distinguished scholars who will provide recommendations for a comprehensive approach to teaching entrepreneurship to college students.

Through the Panel, the Foundation seeks to create a framework that becomes the gold standard for an exemplary university-level educational program in entrepreneurship. Though entrepreneurial activity has played a dominant role in the U.S. economy for decades, the study of entrepreneurship is relatively new to higher education – and what is taught is not consistent from institution to institution.

The Kauffman Panel’s charter will be to review best-practices and develop a well-articulated common set of principles and skills for entrepreneurship that can be taught. Such a canon will significantly accelerate the rate at which students become aware of entrepreneurial activity, its importance to our economy and society, and the extraordinary future opportunities it offers.

To assist in developing the new curriculum guidelines, panel members will evaluate relevant research about the process of successful business formation and will review what has been learned in the many existing programs on entrepreneurship under way throughout the United States.

The Panel's report on Entrepreneurship Curriculum in Higher Education is available online:

http://www.kauffman.org/entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship-curriculum-in-...

EnGen

Categories: Resources

Proof of Concept Centers: Accelerating the Commercialization of University Innovation

EnGen Educator Resources - May 6, 2010 - 1:11pm

The Kauffman Foundation, based out of Kansas City, MO, published a report, Proof of Concept Centers: Accelerating the Commercialization of University Innovation. The report addresses two case studies in which "Concept Centers" filled funding gaps and accelerated the commercialization of university innovations.

Introduction:

Proof of Concept Centers

Innovation drives economic growth. Economic growth leads to longer, healthier lives by transforming yesterday’s luxuries into better, cheaper, and more efficient goods and services. University research is a key component of our nation’s innovative capacity. In an increasingly dynamic and global economy, the institutional infrastructure is inefficient at moving university innovations to the marketplace. University researchers often face convoluted procedures with insufficient guidance to commercialize their innovations. As angel investors and venture capitalists increasingly invest in later-stage enterprises, researchers face difficulty finding early stage funding to develop and test prototypes and conduct market research. In order to fill this funding gap and accelerate the commercialization of university innovations, a new type of organization has emerged—the proof of concept center.

View the full report here:
http://www.kauffman.org/advancing-innovation/accelerating-commercializat...

This report was funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

EnGen

Categories: Resources

Resources By Young Entrepreneurs, For Young Entrepreneurs!

IGNITE Student Resources - May 5, 2010 - 7:06pm

Looking for some real-life young entrepreneurs to motivate and inspire Michigan youth? Check out a few of these resources!

My Start Up Life – Ben Casnocha
0-7879-9613-0 $24.95
For a review copy, visit www.josseybass.com
For more information, visit www.mystartuplife.com
Ben Casnocha started his first company at age 12. By the time he was 16, he was nominated for Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year” and was chairman of his second company, Comcate. While playing high school basketball and editing the school paper, Casnocha was also sneaking away to early morning flights for sales calls with customers. With the support and advice of some of Silicon Valley’s brightest minds, Casnocha crammed a lifetime of business experience into just a few years, all of which he shares in this unique book.

Jason Dorsey
www.jasondorsey.com
Jason R. Dorsey is a young person who believes in youth. He wrote the first edition of “Graduate to Your Perfect Job" at age 18. This book is now used along with its Integrated Teacher’s Curriculum in over 1,500 schools. Dorsey is one of the most highly sought-after youth and education speakers in America. Through his inspirational insightful programs, Jason directly helps over 100,000 people a year achieve their dreams.

IGNITE

Categories: Resources

Resources By Young Entrepreneurs, For Young Entrepreneurs!

IGNITE Educator Resources - May 5, 2010 - 7:06pm

Looking for some real-life young entrepreneurs to motivate and inspire Michigan youth? Check out a few of these resources!

My Start Up Life – Ben Casnocha
0-7879-9613-0 $24.95
For a review copy, visit www.josseybass.com
For more information, visit www.mystartuplife.com
Ben Casnocha started his first company at age 12. By the time he was 16, he was nominated for Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year” and was chairman of his second company, Comcate. While playing high school basketball and editing the school paper, Casnocha was also sneaking away to early morning flights for sales calls with customers. With the support and advice of some of Silicon Valley’s brightest minds, Casnocha crammed a lifetime of business experience into just a few years, all of which he shares in this unique book.

Jason Dorsey
www.jasondorsey.com
Jason R. Dorsey is a young person who believes in youth. He wrote the first edition of “Graduate to Your Perfect Job" at age 18. This book is now used along with its Integrated Teacher’s Curriculum in over 1,500 schools. Dorsey is one of the most highly sought-after youth and education speakers in America. Through his inspirational insightful programs, Jason directly helps over 100,000 people a year achieve their dreams.

IGNITE

Categories: Resources

Resources for Starting a Business in Michigan - Writing a Business Plan

Jumpstart Resources - May 5, 2010 - 3:17pm

What goes in a business plan? Where can you go for more information on structure, format, and examples?

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC)
The MI-SBTDC has been established to provide consulting, training, research and other services to small businesses, including evaluating business plans. MI-SBTDCs are located throughout the state and offer their services for free.

Follow this link to find the MI-SBTDC near you!
http://www.gvsu.edu/misbtdc/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.regionalcenters

Small Business Association
The Small Business Association has excellent resources and information available for free online!

Follow this link to SBA's website more information:
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/SERV_WRR...

Libraries
Many Michigan libraries have free resources and reference materials to assist entrepreneurs throughout all phases business development!

For more information, please visit the Michigan eLibrary's Business and Jobs Gateway at:
http://mel.org/bizandjobs

Examples of Business Plans
Want to know what a business plan looks like? These links will direct you to examples of business plans:

http://www.gvsu.edu/misbtdc/index.cfm?id=7C14D071-0515-5F9C-EB7C26E2ECA7...

http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm

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Categories: Resources

Resources for Starting a Business in Michigan - Where to begin (Terminology and Processes)

Jumpstart Resources - May 5, 2010 - 1:47pm

You have an idea or product. You think you may be able to start a business or make money off of your idea. But how do you begin the daunting process of starting your business?

The State of Michigan has a great website to learn the basics on terminology and process for starting a business. We recommend clicking through this website to familiarize yourself with entrepreneurship terminology and links to other resources.

Follow the link below to begin!
http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Start-a-Business/Default.aspx

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Categories: Resources

BTP President Josh Aaron Speaks About Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan

EnGen Student Resources - April 28, 2010 - 9:35am

April 14, 2010 – Josh Aaron, Founder and President of Business Technology
Partners (www.btp.net), recently spoke about entrepreneurship and leadership at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering for the University’s prestigious Distinguished Innovator Speaker Series (http://cfe.engin.umich.edu/seminar ). He discussed the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship and how he built his company into a well‐respected technology consulting firm.
To view the presentation, please visit http://inst-tech.engin.umich.edu/media/index.php?sk=engr407-w10-a6s1623&... .

At the age of 25, Mr. Aaron founded BTP, a technology consulting firm and IT support provider. Since its founding in 1997, BTP has grown into a leading consulting practice with rich history of successful major client engagements. His vision and expertise in areas such as large‐scale change management and IT project management have made BTP an industry leader in structured cable design, cable management, voice systems, data networking, security and audiovisual communications consulting. As the head of BTP, Josh has overseen projects for clients such as, , ABN AMRO, Bard Graduate Center, Deutsche Bank, Estée Lauder, JPMorgan Chase, Kramer Levin, MF Global, Morgan Stanley, MTV Networks, The New York Board of Trade, Reuters, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, State Street Brokerage and Trump Soho Hotel.

BTP President Josh Aaron Speaks About Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan
Mr. Aaron is a member of the Entrepreneurship Organization and university liaison to U‐of‐M for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). Entrepreneurship Organization is a dynamic, global network of more than 7,300 business owners in 42 countries. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life.

EnGen

Categories: Resources

Evolve: Talent in the New Economy - Spotlight Michigan

EnGen Student Resources - April 22, 2010 - 1:10pm

A report from Spotlight Michigan about cultivating and spotlighting young, talented, and entrepreneurial communities for the new economy.

Categories: Resources

Information on Student Entrepreneur Groups in Michigan Colleges and Universities

EnGen Student Resources - April 13, 2010 - 12:19pm

Want to know about other entrepreneurship clubs at various Michigan colleges? Click here to connect!

Eastern Michigan University CEO Club:
http://www.cob.emich.edu/include/templatesubpage.cfm?id=1116&preview=1

Kettering Entrepreneur Society
http://www.kesociety.com/#

Michigan State University's Mid-Michigan Innovation Club for Entrepreneurs (ICE):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Michigan-Innovation-Club-for-Entrepren...

University of Michigan - Flint Entrepreneurs Society
http://som.umflint.edu/ESofUMF/

University of Michigan MPowered:
http://www.mpowered.umich.edu

EnGen

Categories: Resources

A Funding Fix For New Businesses - Walter Buckley

Jumpstart Resources - April 7, 2010 - 8:32am

I have spent the majority of my adult life investing my own and other people's money in entrepreneurs. That's why I know the U.S. has a serious problem on its hands.

Although the stock market has tentatively rebounded, funding for the one area in which America has a distinct competitive advantage--that is, new company formation--is in scary decline. That may be a familiar refrain by now, but that doesn't make the ramifications any less real. Or less dangerous.

Full Article:
http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/25/small-business-stimulus-entrepreneurs-f...

Credit is still stuck in the mud. Here are some smart incentives to get investors writing more checks.

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Categories: Resources