My background of 20 years as project manager for a nationally recognized photographer equipped me with experience across multiple market sectors. As operations manager, I assembled/supervised the teams responsible for executing photographic assignments on location at the national/global facilities of our Fortune 500 clientele. My partner & husband was disabled several years ago; this prompted me to finish my MBA prior to starting a job search, and led to my appointment with Aflac as an independent agent and health benefits analyst.
We live in a time when US health care is driving the US market: in a recent Harvard study, over 65% of nearly 2M US consumer bankruptcies are directly linked to medical debt. Over 75% of these people had health insurance. Health risk is no respecter of persons: every 30 sec. in the US, someone goes bankrupt from medical debt. America remains the only major world economy where this happens.
Five Sources for Start-up Funding
Google Ventures
http://www.google.com/ventures/
A network of Googlers w/ expertise in technology, referred to by Schmidt as Google’s “competitive advantage”, may give Ventures an edge on its competition. Ventures investments often originate from referrals made by Google employees, w/ friends who launch startups… thus, the advantage, as many VCs are run by people w/ a business-only mindset. Google Ventures hopes to invest around $100 million in 2010.
SBA
The Small Business Administration reported in April that loans issued in OR & SW Washington increased 32% over the past 6 months. Approximately $12.5 million / 49 loans went to business in Clark County. A new extension allows the SBA to continue stimulus loans through May 2010, or until funds provided by the bill are exhausted. Recovery Act funding remains available for other Recovery Act programs: the America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) & Microloan programs are still available.
SBA PDX: Dennis Lloyd, Director, Lender Relations
503-326-5205
SBA + Google
Google and SBA Launch “Tools for Online Success” Partnership to Boost Small Businesses.
Google and the SBA unveiled the partnership during a forum held on May 5th at the SBA’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C., broadcast live online to press & small business owners.
Tools for Online Success
http://www.google.com/help/places/par...
Cleantech Open
Cleantech Open hosts two competitions to develop & fund clean technology startup companies & ideas to foster the environment. The Cleantech competition categories are: Air, Water and Waste; Energy Efficiency; Green Building; Renewable Energy; Smart Power, Green Grid and Energy Storage; & Transportation.
The Business Competition: is for Ecopreneurs with early stage clean technology companies.
https://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi...
Final Entry Deadline: May 22, 2010
Regional finalists: $30,000 (cash + services)
One Regional Winner: $20,000 extra (cash + services)
National Winner: $250,000 prize package (investment + services)
The Ideas Competition: Cleantech Open also hosts an Idea Competition for the best clean technology ideas in the world.
https://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi...
Final Entry Deadline: September 30, 2010
Freight Transportation Infrastructure
President Obama’s goal to double American exports within five years will require multimodal freight transportation to become a national priority, which is good news for the Port of Vancouver. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., announced on April 6th that she plans to push federal lawmakers to create a national freight strategy, with dedicated funding for port infrastructure projects, including the Port of Vancouverʼs Freight Access project.
simsboynton — May 7, 2010 at 9:02 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Thanks for your question on Innovate CC - it's a good one. Are you involved in a local startup? What are your funding needs?
Libby Clark — May 11, 2010 at 3:47 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )