Launching
Charlotte’s
Entrepreneurial
Platform
Seven “C’s”
Connectivity
Corporations
Clusters
Capital
Champions
Culture/Climate
Competitive advantage
www.charlottechamber.com/about-the-chamber/2011-entrepreneurs-summit/
Charlotte Entrepreneurial
Alliance (CEA)
The CEA's focus is to support, coordinate, represent and inspire highgrowth business at all stages of development with an emphasis on
technology, energy, finance and social entrepreneurial ventures.
Charlotte Regional Foundation for
Entrepreneurship(CRFE)
• A non-profit foundation dedicated to building the
capacity for a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in
the Charlotte Region
• The CRFE will provided funding for high impact nonprofit organizations and initiatives dedicated to
supporting the long-term growth and capacity of
early stage, high growth entrepreneurs in the
Charlotte region
Cornerstone Fund
• Equity investment fund targeting high growth, early
stage entrepreneurial investment opportunities
• Partnership opportunity with Blackstone
Entrepreneurial Network; mentoring/coaching
• Leverage statewide assets and resources to invest
in and grow entrepreneurial ventures across North
Carolina, with a focus in the Charlotte, Triad and
Triangle regions
Charlotte Chamber
High Growth Entrepreneur
Roundtable Discussion
•
Cultivate connectivity between the corporate community and high
growth entrepreneurs…to leverage access to corporate intellectual
capital, and build local vending opportunities between Charlotte
corporations and Charlotte high growth entrepreneurs
•
Build a platform that establishes Charlotte as an entrepreneurial hub that
attracts venture capital funding, that continually grows over
time…proactively position Charlotte’s assets outside of Charlotte
•
Convene and facilitate conversations and awareness building in the
broader business community
•
Facilitate conversations in the public policy arena that could lead to
localized incentives to support/lower barriers to attracting and growing
Charlotte entrepreneurs
PowerUp Entrepreneurship Challenge
A mentor from the
Charlotte Chamber’s Board of Directors
Accounting Support provided:
Boatsman Gillmore
Marketing Support from:
Boone Oakley
Legal Support:
Wishart, Norris, Henninger and Pittman
$25,000 cash grant provided:
Duke Energy
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Charlotte Chamber
SAVE THE DATE
October 10th Summit
Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Harris Conference Center
Desired Outcomes:
o Updates on progress since October 2011 summit
o Showcase successful Charlotte corporate/local entrepreneur ventures
o Build connections between Charlotte corporate s and local entrepreneurs
www.charlottechamber.com/events
Charlotte Chamber
SAVE THE DATES
August 22nd – Financing for Micro Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Time: 11 am-2:00 pm
Location: Federal Reserve, Trade Street
Desired Outcome:
•
Gain insight on how micro financing, and SBA loans can provide working capital to
micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses
•
Opportunity to meet with lenders and resource providers
October 30th Equity Financing and Exit Strategy for Entrepreneurs
Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Location: TBD
Desired Outcome:
•
•
Showcase financing options for entrepreneurs
Continue to build connections between Charlotte corporate and local
entrepreneurs
www.charlottechamber.com/events
Economic Impact of Entrepreneurs
• A 25-30% average revenue growth rate over each of the
last three years
• A projected aggregate total of $650 million in revenue
for 2012 with a growth rate of 30% over 2011
• A 25% growth rate in employment with projected 622
new jobs in 2012 for the reporting companies
• An average of 30 employees per company over the last
three years, with an average salary of $55,000 annually
• Fifty percent (50%) of the companies reporting are less
than five years old; 80% are less than ten years old
Source: Business Innovation & Growth (B.I.G.); Survey of 94 high growth
companies led by entrepreneurs in the Charlotte, NC region
Jim Clifton
The Coming Jobs War
• Entrepreneurs are the game changers in a
challenged economy with demonstrated results
• When national, city entrepreneurial spirit is high, and
resident engagement is high, breakaway GDP and
job growth follow
• Cities (like)Charlotte are where the right mix of
elements convene to stimulate entrepreneurial
economic impact
• Talent migrates to cities that are most likely to
maximize innovation and entrepreneurial
ideas....leading to job creation
Vision
Charlotte, a hub with a
vibrant entrepreneurial
ecosystem that drives
economic expansion and
cutting edge business
development