5 Reasons Why Every Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner Needs to be at the 2nd Annual Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit
If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner in the tri-state area, you should attend the 2nd Annual Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit presented by the Emerging Enterprise Center and Small Business Development Center on April 10.
This full day event is packed with quality content, information and resources for those looking to build, connect, and grow as entrepreneurs and business owners.
Whether you are thinking of starting a business, a start-up, or an established small business that is looking to grow, the Entrepreneurial Summit has got you covered. But if that’s not enough, here are 5 more reasons why you should be there:
1. Workshops and Panel Discussions – Whether you’re looking to sell your product, win over customers, or partner with new businesses, the Entrepreneurial Summit has you covered with workshops in two tracks. The technical/science track is geared specifically for those start-ups or small businesses that are in high tech fields while the alternative track is geared towards the more traditional entrepreneur.
2. Networking – Network with over 100 entrepreneurs, small business owners, venture capitalists, resources and professionals in the tri-state area about developing your business.
3. Awards Luncheon – The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the Emerging Enterprise Center are always looking to recognize those achievers and at this event we look forward to announcing the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Entrepreneurial Advocate of the Year.
4. Keynote Speaker – Come and hear from our keynote speaker and learn about his/her route to entrepreneurial success.
5. Delaware and tri-state area Resources Tabletop Expo – Meet and have one-on-one conversations with resources that are available to entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses.
NCC Innovates: Entrepreneurial Sponsorship Award Finalists Announced
When New Castle County Department of Economic Development launched NCC Innovates, it was with a specific goal in mind: to support economic development through entrepreneurship. Through NCC Innovates, New Castle County chose to sponsor a one-year membership to the Resident Incubator Program at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Enterprise Center. The sponsorship includes office space and amenities, 24/7 access to the Emerging Enterprise Center, one-on-one business mentoring, business growth workshops and a one-year membership in the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.
A call for applications was issued in April and two finalists were selected on Friday, June 8, 2018.
D150 Fueling, LLC is an on-site fueling and fuel marketing company for commercial fleets that offers Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel, Biodiesel and Off-Road Diesel. Coupled with FuelCloud software, D150 Fueling offers a fueling program tailored to an individual fleet’s needs that saves time, money and emissions. With contracts in hand, D150 Fueling is in full launch mode and ready to expand its market.
SAS Nanotechnologies, LLC has developed a proprietary, patent pending anticorrosive coating technology that not only prevents corrosion but also heals and protects metals from corrosion in the case of surface scratch/damage. Growing out of PhD research, the technology was recently awarded an NSF SBIR grant to further develop the technology and is already in conversations with potential strategic partners for technology testing and licensing.
NCC Innovates is a program developed by the New Castle County Department of Economic Development that identifies opportunities to specifically support economic development through entrepreneurship, attract new companies to New Castle County and develop a strong innovation ecosystem.
The finalists were selected after submitting a 5 page business canvas which included information on the business, market and industry landscape, go-to-market strategy and financial estimates. Each application was judged on several criteria, including business feasibility, understanding of market need and opportunity, clear articulation of value proposition, go-to-market strategy and realistic financial projections.
The jury consisted of five members of the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Advisory Board and represented a broad background of interests and expertise. The winner will be announced by County Executive Matt Meyer on July 12, 2018 at the 2018 Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit organized by the Emerging Enterprise Center and the Small Business Development Center and held at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Concord Pike.
Green Grazer Goats wins this year’s Swim with the Sharks Video Pitch Competition.
Written by Dora Cheatham, Program Manager, Emerging Enterprise Center.
Beating out ten other startup companies, and despite tough competition, Green Grazer Goats grazed into the no. 1 position to win the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Swim with the Sharks Video Pitch Competition—now in its 5th year and with a Grand Prize totaling over $22,000 in cash and services.
Green Grazer Goats is an eco-friendly farming operation that works hard to turn problem areas into manageable property, efficiently clearing areas of noxious weeds and brush without the need for human labor, heavy equipment, dangerous chemicals – and all at about half the cost. With their clear vision and plan, Kalyn Butt and Kevin Connor convinced the judges that they had a viable business.
For the first time this year, the Emerging Enterprise Center, Delaware’s first small business incubator partnered with New Castle County Government, as well as multiple sponsors, to offer its largest ever prize package which included:
- Cash prize of $14,500
- $3,125 in legal services from Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor, LLP
- $2,500 in professional services from William Humphreys & Co
- $2,500 in professional services from Placers
- 6 month membership in the Emerging Enterprise Center Virtual Incubation Program (valued at $1,800)
- New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Package (valued at $1,400)
- One year membership in New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (valued at $350)
The competition required participants to submit a 3-minute video pitch showcasing their company and describing how their prize package will be used to grow their business. The three finalists pitched live before a jury composed of judges from the entrepreneurial and business community. Judging was based on multiple criteria, including clarity of message and vision, value proposition and feasibility of business concept.
The two other finalists: DEact Medical Solutions and Drone Workforce Solutions, both of which also impressed the judges with their forward thinking innovations. All three finalists received prize packages. Videos of all the submissions can be seen on Emerging Enterprise Center Website.