Entrepreneurship Fair this Saturday

Van Wert independent/contributor content

The third annual Van Wert County Entrepreneurship Fair will be held this coming Saturday morning, November 12, in the Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Organizers, including representatives from the OSU Extension Economic Development Office, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Van Wert, the Van Wert Area Business Innovation Center and Wright State University Lake Campus Business Enterprise Center, encourage all who dream of starting a business attend this free event.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a panel of local entrepreneurs scheduled to share their journey at 9 a.m. This event will also serve as the kick-off to the first area Business Plan Challenge.

The agenda for the event includes the Local Entrepreneur Panel at 9 a.m.; Session 1: Starting a Business — What’s First? and Financing at 9:30 a.m.; Session 2: Marketing and Business Opportunities at 10:30 a.m.; Session 3: Ask the Experts, where participants will have a question-and-answer session with an attorney, a banker, a commercial insurance agent, an accountant, a realtor and a building inspector at 11:30 a.m.  Door prizes and the announcement of the challenge will close the event.

“The Business Plan Challenge is designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and create greater awareness of the resources available to grow entrepreneurs in Van Wert County,” said Gary Corcoran, event co-organizer.

Over the next 10 weeks, the challenge will offer group instruction sessions and materials to assist each applicant with the creation of a viable business model that they may choose to present to a panel of experienced judges in early February 2012.  The top business will receive $2,500 in business development funds and be eligible for additional counseling services, development resources, Chamber membership and benefits, and rent-free space at the Van Wert Area Business Innovation Center.

Those looking for a chance to start their own business should take advantage of this excellent opportunity on November 12 at the Performing Arts Center.

For more information or assistance in starting a business, call the OSU Extension Economic Development Office at 419.238.2999.