May 2006 Archives
Creating Entrepreneurial Communities in Rural NC
The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center has released a study of ten community-based projects that have nurtured entrepreneurship in some of the state’s smaller towns.
The National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship has a good summary of the report in its weekly e-newsletter.
In the report, the Rural Center outlined four key steps to developing an entrepreneurial community:
Measuring Entrepreneurial Activity
eVenturing has several links on the latest Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity.
This detailed report (PDF) shows monthly startup rates among individual adults in America. Some of the key findings:
Rebecca Merrill of Merrill Leadership has some advice for founders of technology companies. Should technology founders lead their companies once they have gotten them up and running? #
State of the Region
The Research Triangle Regional Partnership hosted its 3rd annual "State of the Region" event this morning. A packed house of 800 people came out to the RTP Sheraton Imperial to hear the latest on the region's economic health and competitive position.
Among the highlights:
Biotech Takes Center Stage
Over 800 people attended CED's Biotech 2006 conference, held yesterday and today in Winston-Salem.
The Winston-Salem Journal had this front-page story in today's paper.
Serial entrepreneur and investor Guy Kawasaki has a great post on critical problems that many entrepreneurs face in building a successful, sustainable start-up company. #
Engaging the Angel Community
PricewaterhouseCoopers hosted its quarterly "Shaking the MoneyTree" breakfast this morning in Cary, NC.
After going over the Q1 2006 venture numbers, PWC's Jeff Barber moderated a panel discussion with two active venture capitalists: The Aurora Funds' Jeff Clark and H.I.G. Ventures' David Sung.
One interesting discussion topic was the status of seed and early-stage investing.
Kauffman eVenturing has an interesting post on unlocking "dormant innovations left lying around the hallways of large corporations."
On another topic, check out eVenturing's recent Q&A with UNC-Chapel Hill's Buck Goldstein. #
Listening to Kurzweil's Keynote
Did you miss Ray Kurzweil's memorable keynote address at Venture 2006 two weeks ago? Or do you want to hear it again?
If so, you can now listen to the audio (ZIP file) of his presentation, just posted online on the Venture 2006 site.
Betting on Biotech in Kannapolis
Community leaders and life science industry executives attended a special forum yesterday in Kannapolis to preview the $1 billion North Carolina Research Campus.
An estimated 200 people attended the event, which was co-sponsored by the City of Kannapolis, Ernst & Young, SEBIO, Cabarrus Regional Partnership and CED.
Venture Capital Goes Global
SSTI, a national organization focused on technology-based economies, cites a report from Ernst & Young that predicts a new phase in the evolution of the global venture capital industry.
Ernst & Young's report, called "Transition," points to numerous factors that are driving the globalization of venture funds and their portfolio companies. The most significant factors include:
Entrepreneurial Community Endorses Easley Budget Recommendations
CED today joined the North Carolina Entrepreneurial Association, North Carolina Technology Association and other partners to express strong support for proposals by Governor Mike Easley to increase funding for North Carolina’s new SBIR/STTR Matching Grants Program and to reduce sales taxes on R&D equipment purchases by research companies.
John Warner's Notes from Venture 2006
John Warner, a well-known entrepreneur, author and blogger from South Carolina, had several interesting posts from his experience in Pinehurst at CED's Venture 2006 conference.
Ray Kurzweil: Accelerating the Pace of Innovation
Renowned inventor, entrepreneur and author Ray Kurzweil delivered keynote comments at Venture 2006 last week.
Throughout his Powerpoint slides, Kurzweil discussed the "Acceleration of Innovation in the 21st Century: the Impact on Business and Society."
Some of Kurzweil's comments and predictions included:
Southern Capitol Ventures' Jason Caplain shares his thoughts on Venture 2006. #
Q1 2006 Venture Data
PWC, NVCA and Thomson Financial have released their Q1 2006 MoneyTree report. Seventeen NC-based companies have received $103 million in funding thus far in 2006.
Rick Smith of WRAL Local Tech Wire writes that enthusiasm is high at CED's annual Venture conference. #
"eVenturing" from Venture 2006
We're blogging from Pinehurst today at Venture 2006 -- CED's 23rd annual venture conference.
Joining us on the blogosphere is Ken Berlack from Kauffman eVenturing. Check out his ongoing posts on the conference highlights, including a great summary of the Angel Investor Retreat.
Check out this article from the News & Observer's Sabine Vollmer on North Carolina''s thriving, competitive life science economy. #
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Recent Entries
- Creating Entrepreneurial Communities in Rural NC
- Measuring Entrepreneurial Activity
- State of the Region
- Biotech Takes Center Stage
- Engaging the Angel Community
- Listening to Kurzweil's Keynote
- Betting on Biotech in Kannapolis
- Venture Capital Goes Global
- Entrepreneurial Community Endorses Easley Budget Recommendations
- John Warner's Notes from Venture 2006