Transcript Help for Entrepreneurs--eXtension Puts Assistance at Your Fingertips

Help for Entrepreneurs –
eXtension Puts Assistance at
Your Fingertips
2008 National Women in Agriculture
Educators Conference
April 1, 2008
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
What is the eXtension Initiative?
National web-based information and
education network
 Objective, science-based information
from universities and partners
nationwide
 24 / 7 / 365 access
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Why is Extension Pursuing This?
Entrepreneurs …
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Responsible for 60-80% net new jobs
Most small firms are start-ups, less than 2
years old
Small firms are driving innovation
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U.S. Small Business Administration (2002)
Communities That Embrace
Entrepreneurship
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More robust economic climate
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Greater civic engagement
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More effective government
Why Should Communities Be
Entrepreneurial?
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New era – industrial recruitment not the
answer
Allows communities and community
members to build on assets and talents
Important to local economies
Entrepreneurship Priorities
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Building and supporting business skills for
current and emerging entrepreneurs
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Expanding access to capital
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Building networks and collaborations
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Creating community support for entrepreneurs
(i.e., policies)
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Strengthening youth entrepreneurship efforts
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Developing virtual resource centers
The eXtension Entrepreneurship System
Regional Entrepreneurship
Resource Team in Each
Region
Community of
Practice
• Regional representation
• RRDC leadership
Community of Interests
(the eXtension customers)
Web-based
Products and
Resources
Major Thrusts
Entrepreneurs and Service Providers
Entrepreneur Ready Communities
Audiences: Entrepreneurship
Communities of Interest (CoI)
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Rural entrepreneurs
Participants in regional listening sessions
Community practitioners
Local governments
Traditional extension clientele
Extension faculty
Key Components
FAQs
Information
Briefs
Activities of
the National
eXtension
Entrepreneurship
Team
Research
Case
Studies
State/Local
Policies
Highlights
Learning
Modules
Ask the
Expert
Events/
Current
News
Data/
Tools
Feedback From You
How do we make this
site more valuable to
you?
What do we need to do
to make this site
more user-friendly?
Entrepreneurs and Their
Communities
Where the spirit of
entrepreneurship lives!
Presenter Contacts
Gae Broadwater
Cooperative Extension
Program
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-597-6325
[email protected]
Mary Peabody
University of Vermont
Extension and Women’s
Agricultural Network
617 Comstock Road, Ste 5
Berlin, VT 05602-9194
802-223-2389 x-13
[email protected]