Build innovation networks with business plan competitions
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Regions and states are starting to figure out that business plan competitions are good ways to build entrepreneurial networks. Here's an example from Michigan.
The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest (GLEQ), a statewide business plan competition, is hosting the 3rd Annual Great Lakes Entrepreneurship Meeting. Its partners include the New Enterprise Forum, the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes, the Eastern Michigan University Center for Entrepreneurship, the Ann Arbor IT Zone and the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Entrepreneurs participating in this year's GLEC will also appear on radio. Read more.
This is a direct, relatively low cost way to build the entrepreneurial networks you need to keep smart people in your community. There's steps you need to take in setting one up, and your best bet is to talk to people who are already doing it.
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Build innovation networks with business plan competitions
