Success Through Access
Mission Statement
The Emerging Venture Network (EVN) is a nonprofit education and research organization committed to educating investors and entrepreneurs about the potential of high-growth emerging companies and the impact these companies can have on U.S. economic growth and job creation. EVN promotes the growth of high-impact companies by providing training and access to resources.
EVN is tracking and mapping the impact of federal government programs, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, on increasing small and disadvantaged businesses' access to contracting and funding opportunities.
EVN is tracking and mapping the impact of federal government programs, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, on increasing small and disadvantaged businesses' access to contracting and funding opportunities.
Recovery.gov News
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House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
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Events
EVN Programs to Stimulate High-Growth Companies
In 2001, EVN’s management team created the first-of-its-kind, minority venture capital forum––the Southeast i-DealFlow Forum. Fifteen entrepreneurs, seeking in excess of $75 million in equity capital, participated in the forum––six have already received initial funding totaling $6.6 million. Building on this early success, EVN has created a venture capital forum and boot camp series with the following key components:
Entrepreneur Outreach
EVN reaches out on a national basis to identify and recruit thousands of emerging entrepreneur applicants. Through that process, firms having a high potential to receive equity funds are selected.
Screening and Business Plan Review
Each firm that applies to EVN is screened through a rigorous, three-part proprietary process: an online application, a review and evaluation of business plans and an in-person interview. Through this program, EVN is able to impact thousands of minority-owned firms and identify qualified firms to attend boot camp. In addition, any entrepreneur can solicit business plan review and feedback for a minimal fee.
Equity Funding Boot Camp/Coaching
Based upon the screening process, EVN selects entrepreneurs whose business plans demonstrate real opportunity for equity funding. They are thoroughly prepared for their pursuit of equity capital by attending an intensive, one-day training session called a boot camp. The boot camps are led by 15-20 outside experts representing the venture capital community, including investors, accountants, and attorneys. Participants learn about financing options and creating a venture capital presentation; work with presentation coaches who help them develop the style and theme of their presentation and address specific presentation skills; attend sessions with members of the venture capital community who discuss current trends and opportunities; and learn the technical aspects of closing the deal from accountants, attorneys and investors. EVN will hold 15 boot camps throughout the United States every year, providing training and education to more than 300 minority firms that are strong prospects for equity investment.
Investor Outreach
EVN must continually reach out to venture capitalists to increase the focus on minority-owned firms and to connect them with emerging entrepreneurs. Over the next three years, EVN will continue to aggressively reach out to venture capital investors to significantly increase the number of investors that are aware of and invest in minority-owned firms. Already in EVN’s first year, we have increased investor participation from 80 to 220. Equally important, EVN aims to develop “angel networks” of high net-worth people of color to stimulate early stage investment.
Venture Forums
The forums bring together entrepreneurs prepared in EVN boot camps with venture funders to present their company and seek equity investment. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to exhibit, present their company, and meet with venture capitalists to discuss their case for funding. EVN creates stand-alone forums and partners with existing forums to ensure the best opportunities for entrepreneurs in each region of the country and to deliver real connections to venture capital in the most effective manner.
Follow-up/Tracking
EVN remains in close communication with the entrepreneurs that go through our program and provides them with ongoing coaching, networking and business development assistance. We track the outcomes of our participants in terms of capital raised, business milestones and other key indicators. We also track and report on the resulting impact on communities, including jobs created, hiring mix of companies and supply chain diversity. This data and its dissemination will multiply our direct program impact by serving as a catalyst for the venture capitalist and business community and policy makers.
Entrepreneur Outreach
EVN reaches out on a national basis to identify and recruit thousands of emerging entrepreneur applicants. Through that process, firms having a high potential to receive equity funds are selected.
Screening and Business Plan Review
Each firm that applies to EVN is screened through a rigorous, three-part proprietary process: an online application, a review and evaluation of business plans and an in-person interview. Through this program, EVN is able to impact thousands of minority-owned firms and identify qualified firms to attend boot camp. In addition, any entrepreneur can solicit business plan review and feedback for a minimal fee.
Equity Funding Boot Camp/Coaching
Based upon the screening process, EVN selects entrepreneurs whose business plans demonstrate real opportunity for equity funding. They are thoroughly prepared for their pursuit of equity capital by attending an intensive, one-day training session called a boot camp. The boot camps are led by 15-20 outside experts representing the venture capital community, including investors, accountants, and attorneys. Participants learn about financing options and creating a venture capital presentation; work with presentation coaches who help them develop the style and theme of their presentation and address specific presentation skills; attend sessions with members of the venture capital community who discuss current trends and opportunities; and learn the technical aspects of closing the deal from accountants, attorneys and investors. EVN will hold 15 boot camps throughout the United States every year, providing training and education to more than 300 minority firms that are strong prospects for equity investment.
Investor Outreach
EVN must continually reach out to venture capitalists to increase the focus on minority-owned firms and to connect them with emerging entrepreneurs. Over the next three years, EVN will continue to aggressively reach out to venture capital investors to significantly increase the number of investors that are aware of and invest in minority-owned firms. Already in EVN’s first year, we have increased investor participation from 80 to 220. Equally important, EVN aims to develop “angel networks” of high net-worth people of color to stimulate early stage investment.
Venture Forums
The forums bring together entrepreneurs prepared in EVN boot camps with venture funders to present their company and seek equity investment. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to exhibit, present their company, and meet with venture capitalists to discuss their case for funding. EVN creates stand-alone forums and partners with existing forums to ensure the best opportunities for entrepreneurs in each region of the country and to deliver real connections to venture capital in the most effective manner.
Follow-up/Tracking
EVN remains in close communication with the entrepreneurs that go through our program and provides them with ongoing coaching, networking and business development assistance. We track the outcomes of our participants in terms of capital raised, business milestones and other key indicators. We also track and report on the resulting impact on communities, including jobs created, hiring mix of companies and supply chain diversity. This data and its dissemination will multiply our direct program impact by serving as a catalyst for the venture capitalist and business community and policy makers.
Tracking Change Wiki
Tracking Change provides a platform for entrepreneurs, advocacy groups and concerned citizens to get involved in the policymaking process. By working together, we can turn hope into policies and programs that address issues of importance to the African American community. The issues include racial disparities in federal contracting opportunities and access to capital, and broadband deployment and adoption.
By harnessing the power of social media and crowdsourcing transparency and accountability, we can more effectively push for change and make our voices heard.
Tracking Changeallows advocacy groups and concerned citizens to track and measure progress in reducing black unemployment and expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses. We share user-generated news, information and best practices to bring about the change we seek.
By harnessing the power of social media and crowdsourcing transparency and accountability, we can more effectively push for change and make our voices heard.
Tracking Changeallows advocacy groups and concerned citizens to track and measure progress in reducing black unemployment and expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses. We share user-generated news, information and best practices to bring about the change we seek.
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