Building an Entrepreneur Friendly Community Building Supportive Networks for Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs can be disconnected Talent Entrepreneurs Services Advisors Investors

Each group needs the other to be successful Talent Entrepreneurs Services Advisors Find a job Find new deals Find Customers Find Advisory Roles Find funding Hire talent Acquire services Find advisors Investors

Networks bring people together Talent Investors Entrepreneurs Services Advisors Find a job Find new deals Find Customers Find Advisory Roles

A entrepreneurial network is: An interconnected chain of entrepreneurs, individuals and organizations who exchange, share and provide information, services, advice, support and ideas that add value and vitality to business

Discussion Question What are the current networks that currently support entrepreneurs in (name of community)?

A successful network is built on three key factors: Organizations that provide guidance and facilitation The continued leadership and direction of local entrepreneurs Continued benefits to entrepreneurs

Organizational guidance Guide/manage network activities Provide connections to people and information Help to form linkages and strategic alliances

Project Discussion In (name of community), are there existing formal business organizations? (list) What are the services that these networks provide? What communication methods do these organizations currently use to connect each other and their membership?

Entrepreneurship leadership and direction Entrepreneur Champions with vision Create and nurture the “buzz”

Project Discussion Which entrepreneurs are the current champions? What are the champion’s overall vision for the (name of community) entrepreneur community? How do these champions currently create “the buzz”? Who are some additional potential champions?

Continued Benefits to Entrepreneurs Access to markets Access to assistance and ideas Access to latest information Access to resources Successful collaboration activities (i.e. promotional activities)

Project Discussion What resources are entrepreneurs currently accessing from existing networks? What are some examples of current sharing of ideas and information among entrepreneurs? What are some examples of successful entrepreneurial collaboration activities?

Building a network What are the needs for networking? Should we build on existing networks, or seed a new network? Who will lead the network? Who will provide support?

What is the Go Big Network? Internet-based, interactive “virtual network” for entrepreneurs and the resource providers who want to serve them “Virtual network” for communities of interest Created by a “serial entrepreneur,” Wil Schroter, because of a recognized need

Solution Go BIG Network brings parties together Talent Investors Startups Services Advisors Find a job Find new deals Find Customers Find Advisory Boards

How Go Big Works 1.Search the Network for other members 2.Message each other through the system 3.Build a network of colleagues 4.Broadcast and receive requests through their network 5.Access resources, information and people

What you can do Create a member profile Search other member’s profiles Send and receive messages Form networks Post public ads & requests Post private network requests Establish private groups

Next Step: Building a Network 1.Map the territory 2.Sketch the plan 3.Launch pilot efforts 4.Reach out to entrepreneurs 5.Seed and replicate 6.Build strategic alliances 7.Let the pot boil 8.Let go 9.Tell the story Source: The National Commission on Entrepreneurship “Building Entrepreneurial Networks”

Additional Resources The Role of Clusters & Bridges in Networks for Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Summit Executive Summary: Kauffman Foundation & IEDC Building Entrepreneurial Networks Additional Research on value of networks

Contact Information Put your name and affiliation on this slide. Please also give credit to author and Ohio State University Extension Adapted from an original presentation created by: Myra Moss, Assistant Professor Ohio State University Extension October 2008

Step 1: Log onto Go BIG Network

Step 2: Create Member Profile

Step 3: Explore Features of GoBIG a. Profile Search

b. Mess- aging

c. Networking through GoBIG

d. Posting a Public Request

e. Posting a Network Request

f. Creating Private Groups