Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship
FRESNO, CA – Best practices and trends impacting the business incubation industry will be discussed at a meeting of the National Business Incubation Association’s Pacific Incubation Network, a regional network of business incubators from the Western United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Central Valley Business Incubator has partnered with the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau to serve as host for the meetings on Friday, Nov. 30, in Fresno.
The meeting sessions are scheduled to be held at both of CVBI’s new facilities – the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator and the mixed-use Launching Pad – and will be attended by leaders of business incubators located in the Pacific region.
“This meeting offers NBIA members in the Pacific area a great opportunity to discuss topics of importance in a great setting,” said Randy Morris, the membership director of NBIA. “We’re looking forward to CVBI hosting this event which may serve as a model for similar events in other regions in the future.”
With 50 people expected to attend, meeting topics will cover specific industry issues submitted and later voted upon by attendees. A tour of the WET Incubator will also be included.
“Along with CVBI’s two business incubators, Fresno is driving home-grown businesses, new technologies, and the people who can lead and manage those businesses,” said Oran Cogdill, the president and CEO of the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The collaboration between our university, businesses, nonprofits and governmental agencies is setting a new standard of excellence.”
“There are several efforts within the San Joaquin Valley to create more business incubators,” said Craig Scharton, CEO of CVBI. “The PIN meeting will allow these startup incubators to rub elbows with experienced professionals. The Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber and communities from Porterville to Merced have incubators in progress. This is a great indication that the San Joaquin Valley is focusing its economic development efforts on innovation and locally-owned business startups.”
An evening wine tasting and barbecue at the WET Incubator is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29, and Friday sessions begin at 9:30 a.m.
About the Central Valley Business Incubator
The Central Valley Business Incubator is a public/private partnership fueled by community resources. CVBI helps startup companies launch successfully by creating an entrepreneurial community where people learn how to balance their passion and ideas with the structure of running a successful business. CVBI offers business development classes and houses five on-site members at each of its two facilities – the Launching Pad for mixed-use incubation and the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator.
Founded in 1996, CVBI is a nonprofit organization that fosters economic development through entrepreneurship and job creation. It has worked with more than 3,400 entrepreneurs who have obtained more than $14.5 million in capital and created 2,030 direct, verifiable new jobs for Central Californians.
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