Newswise — The University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the Emerging Venture Network (EVN) have announced an "Open Call" for companies interested in participating in the EVN-Darden Equity Capital Access boot camp. EVN, a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C., received a grant from the Citigroup Foundation to expand its successful boot camp curriculum. This will be the inaugural program.
"According to 1997 economic census data, the economic contribution of minority-owned businesses compares favorably with the contribution of a number of leading world economies like the Philippines, Colombia and Belgium," says Darden Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Gregory Fairchild. "Historically, minority-owned businesses have grown at rates that are multiples of the U.S. economy as a whole, suggesting that the contemporary contribution of these firms may be even greater than past studies have shown."
Darden Dean Robert S. Harris, adds, "Darden recognizes this untapped potential and we are happy to partner with EVN to help this group of entrepreneurs contribute to domestic economic growth."
"Real, enduring prosperity happens when communities have access to the tools of capitalism and opportunity," says James Moore, founder and President of EVN. "We are proud of EVN's results to date and happy that the Citigroup Foundation recognized the work we do. EVN is equally proud that Darden Executive Education has agreed to partner with us to establish our program as an institution that stimulates the entrepreneurial spirit of the minority community."
EVN's mission is to stimulate the growth of high-impact companies led by emerging entrepreneurs. For 2005, EVN and Darden Executive Education, with the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies, the National Venture Capital Association, and members of the National Association of Investment Companies, have collaborated to expand EVN's boot camp by focusing on more intensive one-on-one coaching, and bi-weekly follow-up, advocacy and support services.
The EVN program is one of the first to offer minority entrepreneurs intensive equity capital training at a national level. The program's primary goal is to identify minority entrepreneurs who are leading ventures with sufficient growth potential to attract equity investors. The 10-week program includes a management assessment-business plan evaluation, a three-day workshop, and six weeks of one-on-one coaching. The workshop will take place June 27-29 on The Darden School campus. Applications can be submitted online until 5 p.m. on May 16 at the EVN website: http://www.evn.org.
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