Using the Web to Connect Entrepreneurs to Resources

Success Story

Creating and nurturing networks are a key strategy for communities that desire to foster an entrepreneur based economy. These networks are critical in fostering and promoting needed close relationships between emerging businesses and those who can provide critical resources such as financing and expertise. Entrepreneurers who are given the opportunity to access resources through personal introductions to providers of support services have a greater probability of successfully attracting this needed assistance. However, entrepreneurs in rural areas often lack these support service providers within their local communities which leads to the difficult task of trying to access unfamiliar, urban area providers. OSU Extension has partnered with the OSU Fisher College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship and a "serial" entrepreneur to establish a web based entrepreneur-resource provider network. This system electronically links together individuals and their networks with numerous other networks in order to connect entrepreneurs through personal introductions to investors, service providers, employees, partners and advisors. This presentation will explain the web based system, delineate the roles of each partner, demonstrate how networks are built and connected, and report accomplishments to date. A live demonstration of the system will be possible with the availability of an internet connection. Presentation participants will better understand how entrepreneur networks are built, how connections are made across a region and state, the value of personal introductions and how privacy is enhanced through tools available through software and the internet.