KALAMAZOO ? FastTrac TechVenture kicked off the first of six West Michigan training program on Feb. 27 at Southwest Michigan First with 13 business teams, from companies as diverse as medical devices to developers to Web 2.0 designers.
The group heard from John McIntyre, CEO of Venomix, who presented an overview of technology entrepreneurship. McIntyre gave the group advice and suggestions from his experience as a serial entrepreneur to help them avoid some of the common pitfalls in developing and funding technology businesses. The next speaker was Kayo Ramirez, attorney and consultant with Michigan?s Small Business & Technology Development Center. He delivered a presentation on defining markets for new products and services.
John Balbach, also with MISBTDC, introduced the Fast Trac program and served as the program?s facilitator. Program partners include Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Qust, MISBTDC, Southwest Michigan First, Battle Creek Unlimited, Lakeshore Advantage, The Right Place and MichBio.
In upcoming sessions, the participants will be hearing presentations by industry experts, investors and successful entrepreneurs, including: Eli Thomssen, CEO of Axenic Dental; David Zimmerman, CEO, Kalexsyn, Inc.; Bob Forgey, COO, ProNAi; Brian Mullally, CEO, GlobeFunder Ventures, Inc.; Patrick Morand, Managing Director of SWMF Life Science Fund; Gerry Roston, Principal, Pair of Docs; and venture capitalist, Mike DeVries.
FastTrac is a nationally recognized curriculum for entrepreneurial education. It helps technology entrepreneurs maximize the potential of their technology businesses. Participants learn from the region?s most successful entrepreneurs, investors and business development experts. They meet industry peers launching and growing technology ventures and network to build a community of support and access to resources.
For more information on FastTrac, email [email protected]
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