LEWISBURG, W. Va (PRESS RELEASE)-- Greenbrier
Valley's first Entrepreneur Café will be held on Tuesday, February
26 at 5:30 pm at the Greenbrier Public Library.
The Entrepreneur
Café is based on the concept of "Crowd funding" – a phenomenon
that has swept the internet and the nation by storm by giving
everyday people the opportunity to invest in an idea or concept for a
small amount.
The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce says West Virginia is ranked last in entrepreneurial
activity in the nation. This can change by encouraging our
greatest resource- our creative and innovative people to bring
their ideas and dreams to reality.
A
$10 ticket to the Entrepreneur Café includes supper and a vote for what you think is the most deserving
business. Proceeds from the dinner will be "seed money" to help a
new or existing entrepreneur pursue a new endeavor and grow our local
economy.
The available seed money is already at $650, including the
initial investment of $500 from Vision Shared, the organization
launching this concept throughout the state, and $150 from First
Energy. More crowd investment increases the amount that a desiring
entrepreneur will receive.
This is the first of quarterly cafes'
sponsored by the Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce, New River
Community and Technical College, Greenbrier Valley Economic
Development Corporation and the Small Business Administration.
Five entrepreneurs will be vying for the "seed
money". These finalists include Jeremy O' Sullivan of Frobot, a
frozen yogurt vending company; Jeff Bray of I-Treks, which is a GPS
based tour guide system for smart phones; Pam West of Greenbrier
Valley Farmers Market, a 33 member collective who are looking to
jump start a local foods dinner as an educational benefit;
Troy Nanney of Lewisburg Diamond and Gold,
who is looking to begin an historic artifacts dig
project; and Lewis Leaseburge, of
Leaseburge Chiropractic, who would like to expand his business by
offering muscle stimulated face-lifts and body contouring.
Presentations will detail the specifics of
how the funding will be used to benefit the business or project.
Come enjoy a delicious dinner provided by
Sam's Club of Beckley and make your vote count for the most
deserving entrepreneur. If you plan to attend, you are asked to register with the Chamber by calling 304-645-2818 or visiting
www.greenbrierwvchamber.org
and clicking on the upcoming event. The ticket cost can be paid
by credit card online, or you may pay with cash or check at the door.
The Chamber says the event will support the local economy.
