Create a Business Plan for a Micro-Entrepreneur!

EN and TFA have teamed up to bring you exciting opportunities to create business plans for micro-entrepreneurs!

CREED, a non-profit organization, strives to help create awareness and consult strategies to promote self employment & sustainability among the poorer, Base-of-the-Pyramid people. As part of this initiative, it wants to post business plans for micro-businesses on its website. Micro-business Entrepreneurs can download the plans and start their business. In general, these will be entrepreneurs in poor areas of the world.

CREED would like business plans for the following three types of businesses:

• Egg/poultry business 
• Sewing/Tailoring business
• Craft jewelry business

These are very small businesses. As you can tell, this segment is very different from creating a business plan to be given to an investor. The plan will have to be created keeping in mind the low-income target customers. CREED is looking for basic business plans that would apply to these entrepreneurs in their situation. These plans will be guidelines to help the entrepreneurs manage and grow their businesses. Max, 4-5 pages per plan.

The teams will formed based on a selection procedure from the applications received. We intend to screen maximum 4 students per team. Once selected, the teams will be dealing directly with the Executive Director of CREED to take their projects forward. The expected timeline would be 4 weeks. The team will also be offered a small incentive upon successful completion of the business plan.

So, students who have a mind for entrepreneurship/CSR/micro-finance business, this is an excellent opportunity to hone your business skills! We encourage you to apply.

Please find the application form in the email you received this morning. Interested students must fill in this application and send it along with their resume to finance@global.t-bird.edu.

The deadline for sending in applications is Sunday, 31st October, 11:59PM.

P.S. This is great practice for the Spring Business Plan competition! 

Venture Philanthropy-- DIY Foreign-Aid Revolution

So cool I had to repost... Good find, Karl Palsgaard!

NYTimes:

Venture Philanthropy |
D.I.Y. Foreign-Aid Revolution

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: October 20, 2010

Like so many highly trained young women these days, Elizabeth Scharpf has choices. She could be working in a Manhattan office tower with her Harvard Business School classmates, soaring through the ranks as a banker or business executive and aspiring to become a senator or a C.E.O. someday.

After all, there’s no question that women around the world enjoy opportunities that simply didn’t exist a few decades ago. Yet the women exerting the greatest pressure for change often aren’t the presidents and tycoons but those toiling further down the pyramid, driven by a passion to create a better world. And in particular, a better world for women.

That’s Scharpf’s choice. Now 33, Scharpf was interning in the summer of 2005 for the World Bank in Mozambique, helping local entrepreneurs, when she encountered a business impediment that she had never heard of. It was unmentionable, and thus unmentioned. It was menstruation.

READ THE STORY HERE

Business Plan Competition Dates & Criteria Finalized--Start Moving!

The Thunderbird Entrepreneur Network (TEN) is excited to release the rules, policies, and dates that will govern the Spring 2011 Business Plan Competition presented by TEN and the Walker Center for Entrepreneurship! If you have any questions, etc., please feel free to email me (hegranes@global.t-bird.edu).

As the Business Plan Competition is TEN's flagship event in the Spring, we have put in place a series of events this fall to help better prepare Thunderbirds not only to grow their ventures but also win their share of the $10,000 prize! As such, TEN's main event this tri is Mentor-Fest (featuring a networking session followed by intimate round table discussions with awesome mentors across a wide range functions and industries). If you are interested in attending, please see the TEN page on MTB to sign up and reserve your spot (must apply by 10/23).

Go crush it!

-Jonathan

Now Here's Some Interesting Social Entrepreneurship!

Nanotech tea bag creates safe drinking water instantly, for less than a penny ...

BUZZ FROM THE HIVE

On Friday, October 8^th Thunderbird Entrepreneurial Network organized one of the most awaited entrepreneurship events this fall – THE HIVE. It was an intimate gathering of 15 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs who brought some great business ideas to the table. Jonathan Hegranes, winner of last year’s TEN Business Plan Competition, shared some extremely valuable information about how he launched his website Turbo140.com. He went over a lot of technical services he had to deal with on Turbo140, including how search engine optimization works, site design considerations, payment solution options, and use of social media (especially Twitter and Facebook). He also shared tips on writing a business plan, the journey from ideation to execution, finding the right employees, strategies to consider before launching the business.

“An aspiring entrepreneur shouldn't be afraid to get their ideas out there - whether by participating in business plan competitions or discussing with classmates. We need to stop being so secretive about our ‘big idea’, “ said Jonathan. “Instead we really need to put ourselves and our ideas out into the world -- it's the only way to get honest feedback, discover new opportunities, uncover gaps in your business model, and most importantly network with people who can help further your idea.”  

Other issues addressed were legal considerations, patent and trademark registration processes, company capitalization, vesting of stock, and the amount of equity to give out to various positions. Another important subject matter was angel investors and venture capital financing. Finally, true to the Thunderbird spirit, there were discussions about how investors’ expectations vary from state to state and nation to nation. “Arizona investors will want you to wear a suit while presenting a formal business plan whereas California investors care more about seeing you demo the product/service - preferably while wearing beat up jeans.”

Inspiring Entrepreneurship - Remember when you were a kid?

Loved this video, though I'd share and put in another plug for Lemonade Day - let's do all we can to inspire the kids in our community. Sign up to be a mentor today!

Your Chance to Give Back: Lemonade Day!

Hi Everyone, Naomi here...
If you're like me, you're always looking for opportunities to "give back." Lemonade Day is an opportunity right here in Glendale that allows us to use our Entrepreneurial skills AND "give back!"

We have a lot of prep work to do, so it's time to get serious about our commitment!

• What is Lemonade Day? Click here to find out...
• How does it "Give Back" to the whole community?? Watch this video.
• What would my job as a Mentor-Student be? See what other students did.
• Interested??? Click here and sign up to be a Mentor.

More updates coming soon. Stay tuned...

Social Entrepreneurship Mentor-- Dr. Amanda Bullough

Social entrepreneurship is an exciting way to combine your entrepreneurial energy with projects that help promote positive social change, and if there's anyone in this field you want to get to know, it's Thunderbird professor, Dr. Amanda Bullough. Join the Thunderbird Entrepreneurship Network's Mentorfest for a chance to talk with her throughout the evening and learn how to get started in this powerful entrepreneurial arena.

Dr. Amanda M. Bullough is the Academic Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurship Programs and is an Assistant Professor of Global Entrepreneurship at the Walker Center for Global Entrepreneurship at Thunderbird School for Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. She is currently running the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program through a partnership with the American University of Afghanistan. The program initiative is to educate Afghan women in business development in growth, and to promote the active involvement of women in business to boost economic development in Afghanistan.

Dr. Bullough has also delivered a new Social Entrepreneurship course at Thunderbird and has previously taught graduate and undergraduate level entrepreneurship, management, and international business courses at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Dr. Bullough has presented on Leadership and Entrepreneurship at numerous international business and management conferences including the ICSB World Conference, Gallup Leadership Institute Summit, the Annual Academy of Management Conference, and the Annual Academy of International Business Conference. She has written a number of papers on Entrepreneurship, Women in Entrepreneurship and Leadership, and Cross-Cultural Leadership, mostly for the purposes of the advancement of women in business and economic development.

Dr. Bullough received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Florida International University in Management & International Business. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida with a major in marketing. Prior to receiving her graduate degrees Dr. Bullough worked in marketing and advertising and engaged in extensive international travel in both developed and developing countries around the world.

Start-up Stategy and Operations Mentor-- Jim Ward

If there's anyone who understands the operations and strategy side of things for start-ups, it's Jim Ward.

In May 2004, Ward was named President of LucasArts, helping spark renewed growth in the company with such game hits as Star Wars: Battlefront, Knights of the Old Republic II and Mercenaries, along with the immensely popular massively multiplayer online game Star Wars: Galaxies. Under Ward’s leadership, LucasArts became one of the most critically acclaimed game publishers and saw several of its titles reach the top of best-seller lists.

A native of Rockford, Ill., Ward received his Bachelor of Science degree from Hanover College and a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).

Ward has been named one of Advertising Age’s Top 100 Marketers and was EPM’s 1999 Entertainment Marketer of the Year. He was Thunderbird’s Alumnus of the Year with Distinction in Marketing in 2000 and received Hanover College’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2003.  He is also frequently found on the speaking tour, having been invited to speak at numerous AMA, AAAA and AAF engagements, and at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and the Wharton School of Business, in addition to speaking internationally at ESADE/Berkeley Haas School of Business in Barcelona. Jim is also a Professor Emeritus of Wal-Mart University, an ongoing forum for employee learning whose guests have ranged from Gen. Colin Powell to top executives from the corporate world. 

Ward also served as Chairman of the Entertainment Software Association in 2007, was Chairman of the Creative Committee for the 2016 San Francisco Olympic Bid Committee and was nominated for an Emmy in 2007 as an Executive Producer for a Primetime Non-Fiction Special.

Currently, Ward and his family live in Scottsdale, Arizona where Jim serves on the Economic Development and Public Policy Advisory Boards of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and is a Legislative District 8 Precinct Captain of the Pinnacle South Precinct.  He also ran for Congress in Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District during the 2010 cycle.

Wow. Hang out with Jim for the evening at Mentorfest,
Monday November 1, 5:30-8:30pm.
Apply now so you don't miss this incredible opportunity!

SOCIAL MEDIA MENTOR-- Aaron Bare

Aaron Bare, CEO, BuzzMouth | Social Media Branding / Digital Strategy
Aaron Bare has had outstanding success in Social Media building many of his companies on these marketing principles. He has sold 5 businesses including a global job board, an online recruiting company, a CRM, a leading cultural assessment company, and a national sales association. He led his global job board to over 5 million page views a month in less than 2 years, and grew his sales association from 3,000 members to over 60,000 in 18 months. He has experience in Angel Investing, raising Venture Capital and working with Investment Banks. In 2008, Aaron was selected as 35 under 35 Entrepreneurs and nominated to 40 under 40. His companies and projects have won Addy’s, Webby’s, Telly’s, and Web Awards and they have been elected as the Kennedy 2007 Most Innovative Company of the Year, 2008 Comerica Business of the Year and 2008 Small Business Innovator of the Year.

Want a chance to talk with him at length over some wine and light fare? 
Come to Mentorfest on November 1.
Apply on the TEN MTB page ASAP--selection process is competitive!

VC/Fundraising Expert Jock Holliman to Join Us at Mentorfest!

Ever wondered what the inside of a VC's mind looks like? Come to the TEN Mentorfest November 1, and sit with fundraising expert, John "Jock Holliman, III, and he'll expose you to what VC's look for in an idea. Is your plan solid?

Jock Holliman holds undergraduate and Masters business degrees from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, as well as a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona. Following a career in commercial banking with Bank of America and Chemical Bank, Holliman has managed institutional venture capital funds for over 28 years, including Arizona Growth Partners, Valley Ventures II, L.P., Valley Ventures III, L.P. and Valley Ventures III Annex, L.P. with aggregate committed capital of $94.8 million. Holliman has served on the boards of over 60 private and public companies, principally in the life sciences industry.. He was a founding investor and currently serves as Executive Chairman of Capstone Therapeutics (formerly OrthoLogic), a Phoenix-based public biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics.

Meet Greg Head--Mentorfest Marketing & Technology Mentor

Greg Head is founder of New Avenue where he advises CEOs of growing technology companies to create successful marketing and growth strategies for their businesses. For the last 20 years, Greg has helped grow two software startups into successful businesses and global brands, the infamous ACT! and SalesLogix. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he advises and invests in promising technology companies.

Don't miss your chance to sit with Greg and pick his brain. Apply now to the TEN Mentorfest on November 1, 5:30-8:30pm. Space is limited, so visit the TEN MTB page to reserve your spot! 

MENTORFEST LEGAL & IP MENTOR: Brian Burt

Want to learn more about protecting your ideas? Brian Burt will be heading the Legal and Intellectual Property table at the TEN Mentorfest November 1^st. Read more about Brian below, and remember, participation is limited so visit the TEN MTB now to apply!

Brian J. Burt is a Partner with Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., and serves as Chair of the firm’s Emerging Business Group. Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm, with over 400 attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout the western United States and Mexico. Brian is a business lawyer advising entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies in all stages of development, from formation to liquidity. He also represents banks, financial services companies, private investors, and venture capital funds.

Brian has extensive experience in corporate formation, reorganization and governance; private equityand debt financing; shareholder/owner relations,  buyouts and disputes; employment and consulting agreements; employee incentive programs; general contract negotiation; supplier/manufacturing agreements; securities regulation; technology transfer and licensing; joint ventures and strategic alliances; corporate asset protection and succession planning; and mergers and acquisitions.

Brian represents clients in a wide variety of industries, including banking and financial services, biotechnology, capital investment, consumer products and services, education, entertainment/media, healthcare, high tech, Internet, manufacturing, marketing/public relations, medical devices, nutraceuticals, professional services, real estate development, renewable energy, and software and information technology.

Brian is the creator and host of the popular Emerging Business Seminar Series held monthly in Phoenix. Having previously founded, capitalized and run his own company, Brian brings a “real world” perspective to his practice.

Brian received his B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy, summa cum laude, from Allegheny College, where he was class valedictorian and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as Managing Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

Brian’s complete bio can be found at: http://www.swlaw.com/attorneys/brian_burt

MENTORFEST INNOVATION MENTOR: Julia Rosen

The Thunderbird Entrepreneurial Network is excited to welcome 7 successful entrepreneur-mentors to our MentorFest on November 1! Julia Rosen will be hosting the Innovation table, so if you’re interested in learning more about innovation—from idea generation to putting your ideas in motion—you’ll want to be here! Check out Julia’s bio:

Julia Rosen leads the development and visioning of ASU’s innovation and entrepreneurial strategies and activities. She directs SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, an international business portal that includes more than 60 companies from 11 countries. She also oversees a number of university-wide entrepreneurial initiatives including the SkySong Education Innovation Network (building a physical and intellectual hub of education innovation), SkySong Venture Catalyst (global and local technology entrepreneurship), the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative (student ventures) and the Sun Devil Entrepreneurship Network (student-community connections). Previously, Rosen managed the business development for ASU’s technology transfer office, where she launched several new technology transfer initiatives including a “proof-of-concept” investment fund, entrepreneurial education for faculty, investor relations, assistance to startup companies, and community outreach and alliance-building.

Before coming to ASU, Rosen led business development efforts for an Arizona based venture capital firm and directed the technology-based economic development practice of the City of Tempe, Arizona. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Rosen holds a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Master of Business Administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She is a member of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

Don’t forget to apply for Mentorfest today to ensure your spot! (Application can be found on the TEN MTB page. Participation is limited.

Mentorfest Registration Now Open!

Industry-leading entrepreneur mentors have been confirmed, and the application is now online! Don't miss this great experience! 

 

Visit the TEN page on MTB to apply to MentorFest now.

Mentorfest!

A unique opportunity for in-depth conversations with successful entrepreneurs across a variety of functions: consulting, marketing, finance, innovation, social media, corporate social responsibility, and supply chain, to name a few. This is your chance to come with questions, problems, and curiosity, to get feedback and learn from people who have “been there, done that.” Light finger foods and wine will be served at this evening event.

Attendance is restricted to 56 students, 7 at each table per mentor (you can specify your top three table/mentorship preferences). Because we intend to make this event as valuable as possible for attendees, participation will be based on the selection criteria of a 300 word essay, accepted October 10-20 via the drop box on the TEN website.

The HIVE -- Episode 1

Welcome to The Hive, the Thunderbird Entrepreneurship Network's platform to breed collaboration across the Thunderbird community in the exploration, ideation, and planning stages of the entrepreneurial process. Throughout the trimester, we host events full of food, drinks, and brainstorming where fellow students, alumni, entrepreneurs, and functional experts and advisers meet to develop their business ideas and/or share knowledge and expertise in certain fields and addressing certain problems. By the end of The Hive program, TEN’s goal is to have a plethora of killer business ideas that are ready to compete for the $10,000 up for grabs in the Spring 2011 Business Plan Competition. Below are dates and summary of events. Further details will be provided on the TEN websiteand email list as each date nears. Each event is an open forum for ideas and problems, though each event will begin with an initial focus on certain considerations. If there is a group of students who would like expert advice on a particular topic, please email hegranes@global.t-bird.edu and we will do our best to find relevant speakers, mentors, and gurus to share their knowledge to a specific problem or vertical. Also, private/confidential “office hours” can be scheduled following each event and/or throughout the trimester. •EPISODE 1: October 8th – Hosted by Jonathan Hegranes, CEO of Turbo140 and winner of 2010 business plan competition. Proposed topics include business models, legal considerations, company formation, funding sources, angel/VC, and social media. SIGN UP HERE: https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dHQ2OW9nQnI0SEl4aGgwaG5DazlRTGc6MQ

Discussions    Thunderbird Entrepreneurs