Healdsburg EPP -- Serving all Healdsburg Growth Companies

The Healdsburg Entrepreneurial Pathways Program will have one significant difference compared to the Santa Rosa EPP. That difference is the wider range of businesses that will be eligible for the Healdsburg program. In Santa Rosa's EPP, only technology-based businesses in five identified clusters were served. Healdsburg's EPP will be open to all businesses that are capable of growth, job creation and wealth generation for the Healdsburg area.

8th North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum

The 8th North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum is scheduled for April 28, 2010 at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in downtown Santa Rosa. Don't miss the event, mark your calendars now. Better yet, get ready to present to the investor panel or show your new business in a poster session. The 7th NBGIF was our best ever event and the 8th will surely be even better. Watch for more information in January.

Healdsburg Initiates the Entrepreneurial Pathways Program

The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the initiation of the successful Entrepreneurial Pathways Program (EPP). The EPP, started in 2006 by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, will be functioning as a virtual business incubator supporting first or second stage entrepreneurial companies that are either currently operating or initiating operations in Healdsburg.

The services to be provided will include mentoring, coaching, technical advising, education, financial planning and introductions to potential investors, partners, customers and service providers. What distinguishes the EPP from other business mentoring programs is that the EPP can call on a vast array of business professionals, in all aspects of business, from among the 750 Healdsburg Chamber members to provide the necessary expertise. Many EPP companies in the Santa Rosa area have also gone on to make presentations at the award winning North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum as well as other investor venues, resulting in investment funding. The Healdsburg EPP participants will have the opportunity to participate in the forum.

The mission of the Healdsburg EPP is to:

• Create high-wage jobs through assistance to entrepreneurial companies in Healdsburg.
• Provide management assistance, mentoring, coaching, technical assistance, education and support networks that enable entrepreneurial companies to succeed and prosper.
• Provide additional sales tax revenue for the City.

The Healdsburg EPP will collaborate with the Santa Rosa in producing events of common interest, building community awareness of the programs, seeking regional grants and sharing best practices. As an added value for your Healdsburg Chamber membership there will be no charge to participating businesses in the EPP. Herb Liberman, Economic Development Coordinator for the Chamber will be managing this important program.

Complementing the EPP will be an aggressive business attraction program. We will utilize a new web site exclusively for business attraction and also use the brochure and video that has already been developed. The EPP program will be used as a marketing tool to encourage start ups to consider establishing its business in Healdsburg.

Within the next two months, the program will be rolled out with a formal process for companies to apply for participation in the EPP and the identification of business leaders in Healdsburg to serve as mentors and coaches.

For additional information regarding the EPP program or if you would like to volunteer as a mentor or coach, please contact Herb Liberman at herb@healdsburg.com or (707) 318-3101.

Follow the Healdsburg EPP on Twitter

The Healdsburg Entrepreneurial Pathways Program is on Twitter. Follow us at: http://twitter.com/EPPHealdsburg

Would Your Company Benefit from EPP Participation?

Which companies would benefit most from EPP participation? Most businesses located in the Healdsburg area that could generate new jobs are the intended beneficiaries of the EPP. Local companies engaged in businesses suited to the Healdsburg economic environment would be well-served by our roster of experienced local experts. The EPP works with companies ranging from pre-embryonic (still in the concept phase), through the various stages of startup, to second-stage entrepreneurial companies (small to medium size existing companies embarking upon a growth initiative.)

If you are planning for growth or just starting to conceive your new venture, the EPP is a great resource. Business incubation is a proven technique for accelerating growth and launching successful new entrepreneurial businesses.

Healdsburg EPP: More Than an Incubator, More Than a Virtual Incubator

The Healdsburg Entrepreneurial Pathways Program (EPP) is the 21st Century version of the powerful incubator-based business development strategy. EPP extends the incubator concept on both ends of the spectrum to include embryonic companies still in the concept phase, 2nd stage small to mid-size companies embarking on a growth initiative, as well as traditional startups. Though EPP is an incubator without walls, it is far more than just a virtual existence in cyberspace. EPP provides most of its services in face-to-face settings augmented by internet communications and tools. Participating companies do not need to relocate to grow – they may remain in their current space, we provide the training, coaching and support services.

The EPP draws its mentors, coaches, instructors and service providers from among the 750 members of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce. These experienced and expert business people provide practical and street-smart advice on making businesses profitable, succeed and grow.