Going international can be a daunting task for any organization. For small businesses and startups it can be even more intimidating as time and resources are more stretched and uncertain. However, going international can be a huge opportunity, especially in today's environment, and local entrepreneurial organizations such as Chemtex, Flow Sciences, Glide Bikes, DryPro, and DigiEffects have proven that startups can grow and succeed through international sales and exporting. As any of those and other entrepreneurs will say, going international is not easy and is rife with challenges and risks. That is where the Entrepreneurship Center can help by providing resources and information to enable companies to better understand and feel more confident about exploring international opportunities. We start with our Going Global event on March 31st where the aforementioned companies founders will be present to share their international experiences. Also on hand will be international lawyers, accountants, logistics experts, counselors and marketing professionals will also be on hand to provide advice and answer specific questions from entrepreneurs in short one-on-one advising sessions. In addition the EC is providing an incredible learning opportunity around entrepreneurship and International business with the Certified Global Business Professional program starting on April 5th. Information on both are below. It's a big world out there, let's make it smaller and take advantage of its opportunities and bring the results and success back to Wilmington and our entrepreneurial community.
Sincerely, Jonathan Rowe |
Entrepreneurship Center Goes International with Event and Training
|  The Entrepreneurship Center is placing increasing emphasis on the importance of International entrepreneurship by helping companies grow through International sales and creating a global mindset amongst our region's entrepreneurs and small business owners with two upcoming international opportunities.
March 31st @5:30pm - Going Global Event: The EC is proud to partner with the NC World Trade Association and NC Department of Commerce for this event to help small businesses and entrepreneurs expand their sales, marketing, and growth opportunities overseas. Over ten booths will be set up where you can meet with international lawyers, accountants, import/export advisers, port representatives, bankers, etc. to confidentially discuss your international business opportunities and questions.
April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th 6-9pm - Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Training Program: This twelve-hour training program is designed to provide the practical knowledge and skills required within the four key domains of International business; supply-chain management, trade finance and taxation, global marketing and sales, and International law. Completion of this program meets the requirements and preparation to sit the CGBP exam, which is offered through the National Association of Small Business and International Trade and serves as a tool for U.S citizens doing International business. This training program is free for EC members and is limited to 30 participants on a first come first served basis. Register Online
|
The Rocket Pitch is Coming April 20th
| 
The Rocket Pitch Series returns on April 20th @5:30pm. This popular event features five hi-growth companies and entrepreneurs who deliver 5-min presentations ('pitches') on their business and growth strategy as well as product demonstrations. The purpose of the series is to highlight hi-growth startups in the Cape Fear Region. The event routinely attracts well over 100 people who come from throughout the State including Charlotte and Greensboro as well as from Atlanta and Florida. So register early for this event as seating is limited.
|
UNCW Student Jared Randhawa Puts Entrepreneurship to the Test
|  Having grown up in Boston and been greatly influenced by both city life and his parents' home country of India, Jared Randhawa always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur. Those influences led him to UNCW, where the senior is majoring in Entrepreneur and Business Development. Since his junior year Jared has been working on his business idea, Keyhole Gardens, an innovative product that combines composting and gardening that led him to a first place finish and $800 in seed capital at the UNCW Student Rocket Pitch in November. Jared is also getting first hand experience working at a startup company through the EC's internship program as an operations assistant at DryCorp. |
|
Entrepreneurial Statistic: According to the Kauffman Foundation the percent of Americans starting businesses in 2010 was at the highest level in 15 years. On average 340 out of every 100,000 adults launched a new business in 2010 which averages out to 565,000 new startups each month.
|
|
|
Member Profile
Sallie Smyth
|  | |
Like many UNCW graduates Sallie Smyth fell in love with the Cape Fear Region and after graduating from UNCW with her Master's degree in Public Administration in 2010 she wanted to stay and make a difference in the community. That led her to become the program coordinator for the Cape Fear Future (CFF) project through the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. As a result of the Entrepreneurship Center's partnership with CFF Sallie has become actively involved in the EC and sees entrepreneurship and small business as a key to the region's future.
|
Apply or Nominate an Entrepreneur for the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
|  |
The winners will be profiled in a special Coastal Entrepreneur Awards section in the April 29 Greater Wilmington Business Journal and honored at a large awards breakfast May 20 at UNCW's Burney Center. Any company in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender county is eligible for the Awards. The company can be a start-up or a more established business, but must be actively engaged in entrepreneurial activity - creating new products or services for people in the Wilmington region or beyond. Companies can fill out the applications themselves or be nominated by others. There will be two rounds of judging. Ten category winners will appear before a panel of the region's top business and community leaders. APPLY HERE
|
|
|
