Senator Daniel Lang, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Minister of CanNor made the announcement today.

CanNor will provide $50,000 over two years through its Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) Program to assist with the creation of a Virtual Tradeshow that will showcase Yukon business and investment opportunities on DVD.

“National and international business communities are beginning to discover the promising investment and lifestyle opportunities that our Northern communities have to offer,” said Senator Lang. “Innovative marketing activities such as this translate into real dollars on the ground and have a direct effect on the local and regional economy.”

“This initiative is an excellent example of coordinated economic development planning and marketing”, said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. “It involves the cooperation of federal departments, municipal government and private business to achieve results that will benefit the whole community.”

The City of Whitehorse will use the funds to create a new promotional segment to be added to an existing DVD that markets the city as an excellent place to live, work and invest. The Virtual Tradeshow segment will highlight reasons to do business in Whitehorse and provide in-depth profiles of successful local companies. The updated DVD will be translated into multiple languages and sent to potential investors in countries such as China, Japan, France and Germany.

“Whitehorse has always been a really great place to live and work but the rest of the world simply didn’t know about us,” said Mayor Bev Buckway, Mayor of Whitehorse. “We created “Whitehorse the Right climate for business” to show the World the competitive advantages of doing business here. Our objective is to grow and expand our business community and with that always in mind we asked businesses that were ready to export or looking for investment to come on board in a virtual tradeshow format”

This federal investment was made possible through CanNor’s SINED program. With a focus on long-term economic development, SINED funds projects that enhance economic infrastructure, build the knowledge base in key economic sectors, develop capacity, and promote economic diversification.

SINED falls under the mandate of CanNor in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the three territories and for policy, research, and advocacy.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit and for more information on Canada’s Northern Strategy, visit www.northernstrategy.ca/index-eng.asp.

With the growing changes in technology revolutionizing the lifestyle of the rural masses in India, the PKSCB in its endeavor to promote bioenergy is harnessing the potential of young minds and encouraging entrepreneurship in this direction. While the urban success story of India is still being penned down, the young IITians are working toward the development and betterment of the rural masses. Known for their technological prowess, IIT KGP has the unique advantage of deploying this skill to enhance the life of these rural masses along with promoting entrepreneurship. PKSCB is currently exploring ways to adopt a few villages around the campus in order to help make them self-sufficient and sustainable, energywise.

The center brought together an eminent panel of distinguished members, who encouraged students to emulate their success stories through a knowledge-sharing session that was filled with enthusiasm and excitement from both students and panelists. The panel consisted of Dr. SP Gon Chowdhury, MD, West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Limited, Gyanesh Pandey, CEO, Husk Power Systems – the company that has recently created waves for their innovative technology of producing electricity from rice husk, Anish Thakkar, Co-Founder and Director, Greenlight Planet Inc. – who has successfully combined cutting-edge technology with innovative distribution networks to commercialize low-power LED solar lanterns for rural India and Dr. Prabha Kant Sinha, Founder & Co-Chairman, ZS Associates.
According to Dr. SP Gon Chowdhury, MD, West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Limited, “Energy is the key input for socio-economic development of a nation. The fast industrialization and rapid urbanization besides mechanized farming have generated a high demand for energy in all forms, be it thermal, mechanized or electrical. With fossil fuels having been exploited in an unsustainable manner the need of the hour is to develop alternate sources of energy that are not only sustainable but also eco-friendly”. He also welcomed the initiative IIT KGP is taking to develop alternate energy sources and sensitize young minds to the need of the hour.

With both Gynesh Pandey and Anish Thakkar sharing their experiences and answering questions for an invigorated student body, the session was exciting and educating for students opting for entrepreneurship. Said Gyanesh Pandey, CEO, Husk Power Systems, “The power to empower lies in the simplicity of the solution to complex problems while creating socio-economic value for the rural masses and at the same time creating entrepreneurship with focus on sustainable solutions.”

Dr. Prabhakant Sinha, Founder & Co-Chairman, ZS Associates, who joined the seminar through a video conferencing from Chicago, added, “While the center is focused on creating India specific bioenergy solutions it is also keen on using its knowledge base and putting it into action through products, services and business solutions. With the aim of becoming a hub for researchers and industry to gather and share knowledge and information, the PKSCB is excited to facilitate the symposium and looks forward to other initiative of the kind in the future”. Dr. Sinha encouraged youngsters towards entrepreneurship while pointing out the need for inclusive growth and creating value for the bottom of the pyramid.

The symposium ended with young IITians like Sourav Das (winner of Eureka – Business Plan competition of Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Bombay) and Manoj Mandelia (honoured at MIT’s EmTech 2010 where he was the youngest innovator on the list) sharing their plans for entrepreneurship and their dreams to make rural India self-sufficient and sustainable.

About PK Sinha Center for BioEnergy, IIT KGP:
‘PK Sinha Center for BioEnergy’ at IIT KGP, India’s first integrated bioenergy center, is envisioned to accelerate research, education and innovation in the important field of bioenergy. It brings interdisciplinary expertise of IIT Kharagpur faculty to bear, and establish collaborations in India and around the world. This center provides a unique opportunity to apply an integrated and collaborative approach to solve energy, climate change and economic challenges.

About Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur: started in 2005, is a student body which promotes entrepreneurship and innovation among students of IIT and other engineering college, nourishing student ideas to profitable business ventures. It facilitates enterprise formation through various bplan competition, VC and Angel investors forum and strategy consulting. With wide array of industry stalwarts E-Cell provides round the year inspiration through guest lectures, summit and workshops. In short our motto is THINK BIG START SMALL. The cell has helped setup about 20 successful startup companies in the last five years.

The program, which will be administered by the HOPE Center located in Harlem, will help future entrepreneurs navigate through the often time confusing steps that lead to creating a new business. The funds will help HOPE bolster the already existing Entrepreneurship Program and focus on creating a small business technical support aspect to their curriculum. Operation HOPE has been active in the New York area for the last two years operating a full service center at 2511 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem.

“We are excited to join forces with the EDA in helping advance American small business and recover from this economic slowdown with sound fundamentals,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant. “America is at its best when we invest in human capital and embrace innovation and change.”

The U.S. Economic Development Administration recognized the value of HOPE in 1999, providing $200,000 to help fund the flagship Inner City Cyber Café, in Los Angeles. In 2002, the agency provided funding to support HOPE’s Small Business Initiative.

The EDA’s investment priorities are designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is the key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.

“Operation HOPE is a strong partner in the effort to rebuild economically distressed communities around the country to foster growth and job creation. The U.S. Economic Development Administration looks forward to collaborating with the organization to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in New York City,” said John Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development who heads EDA.

The HOPE Center, New York has served over 30,000 individuals in the Harlem and surrounding areas since opening its doors in October, 2007. To date, the Center has educated and counseled over 2500 adults in financial literacy, provided small business technical assistance counseling to 308 small businesses and helped individuals obtain over 11 million dollars in mortgage and business loans.

About Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, regional collaboration and innovation.

About Operation HOPE, Inc. (HOPE)

Operation HOPE is America’s leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners in 69 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, HOPE has raised more than $500 million in its pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three principal programs, Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 1-888-388-HOPE, financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles), Operation HOPE has delivered services to more than one million low-wealth individuals and assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities. To learn more about HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org, or read our blog at www.operationhope.org/blog.

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/operation-hope-receives-500k-commitment-from-us-department-of-commerce,1195109.shtml#ixzz0hhutNZtA

NEN represents India’s largest and most dynamic community of new and future high-growth entrepreneurs, with over 70,000 members in 30 cities. It provides critical support to start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs through high-impact entrepreneurship education; access to mentors and experts; fast-track access to incubation and funding; and learning tools and materials. It partners with over 470 top-tier academic institutes in India to help them develop vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems on campus, which develop and support new and future entrepreneurs. In addition, it runs Entrepreneurship Week India, the country’s largest entrepreneurship-awareness campaign. In 2009, E Week India featured over 3500 events with more than 350,000 participants.

NEN was co-founded by IIT Bombay; IIM Ahmedabad; BITS, Pilani; SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai; Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore.

It is primarily supported by the Wadhwani Foundation, a philanthropic initiative of Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, Chairman of the Symphony Technology Group, and has offices in Bangalore and Mumbai.

NEN’s model for advancing entrepreneurship rests firmly on its partnership approach, making it both scalable and effective. Rather than deliver support directly, NEN partners with academic institutes to help them build an effective and a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem on campus to develop and support entrepreneurs. Institutes that NEN partners with are those that are already motivated to provide entrepreneurship programmes to their students, and appreciate the investment NEN makes to enhance their ability to do so.

In addition, NEN uses a group-purchasing model to aggregate support for institutes, members and entrepreneurs. Support includes a bank of volunteers for speaking and mentoring opportunities; corporations eager to support innovation; fast-track access to funding and incubation; learning tools and materials.

Our Mission
To help individuals achieve their full potential, regardless of background.

We believe entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for individuals to realize their potential. Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business; it is a way of thinking, and a critical driver of growth in any economy. Entrepreneurs bring to market new products and services, and devise better and more efficient ways to operate. In doing so, they create valuable, productive new jobs. Successful entrepreneurs create wealth for themselves, their families, their communities and society.

Our Strategy
We employ a two-pronged strategy to fulfill our mission:

To inspire, educate and nurture new entrepreneurs, we develop and fund not-for-profit programs and organizations that create entrepreneurial education, build networks, raise awareness, perform research and help develop a supportive policy environment.

In addition, certain sections of the population need extra support – individuals who due to physical and economic constraints often do not have the opportunity to explore, let alone reach, their full potential. We therefore fund not-for-profit efforts to empower the disadvantaged, with a focus on helping the disabled gain productive employment.

“At CYBF we know that youth entrepreneurship is fundamental to Canada’s economic recovery and long-term competitiveness,” explained Vivian Prokop, chief executive officer of CYBF. “The government’s continued investment in CYBF is recognition of our role as an important partner in job creation, economic development and building a culture of entrepreneurship in Canada. This federal funding, coupled with effective public and private partnerships, demonstrates an understanding that young entrepreneurs have great potential to generate ideas and drive innovation in Canada’s communities from coast to coast.”

With the $10 million, CYBF will continue to provide economic stimulus by enabling the launch of an estimated 500 new businesses over the next year. These businesses will generate an estimated 2,500 new jobs, $63 million in revenues within three years. Beyond the financial benefits of new businesses, CYBF entrepreneurs will also be valuable to Canadians on a social level, providing role models for young people and inspiring them to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.

There has never been a more important time to invest in young entrepreneurs. Not only has the recent recession negatively impacted small business in Canada, but more than 70% of small business owners are set to retire by 2020. Today’s federal funding acknowledged the need for Canada to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and encourage entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

About The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business.

Founded in 1996, to date, CYBF has invested in more than 3,500 young entrepreneurs in communities across Canada. These businesses have generated over $92 million in tax and export revenues, and have created more than 16,900 new jobs. Through CYBF’s national network of community partners, we are able to deliver our program coast to coast with more than 3,100 volunteers across Canada.

For more information on CYBF, please visit www.cybf.ca

Intuit Inc., the nation’s leading small business payroll provider, based its report on data from businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which comprise 87 percent of the total U.S. private employer base. While the Intuit Small Business Employment Index offers macroeconomic insight about the economy generally, it does not indicate or represent changes in Intuit’s business results for any period.

“Employment for these small businesses began trending upward in mid-2009, a good sign for the overall economy,” said Dr. Susan Woodward, the nationally-recognized economist who worked with Intuit to create the index.

“This index is an indicator that the small business employment situation may be getting better,” added Woodward, who was chief economist of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and later of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “Small businesses generally recover faster than larger businesses because they begin hiring sooner than big businesses. To see these figures showing a rise in employment at small businesses is very heartening at a time when good news is scarce.”

Nearly 150,000 New Jobs Since June 2009

Although overall employment has declined since December 2007, the most recent monthly change in the Intuit Small Business Employment Index is positive. While this month-over-month change is small, up 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, it continues an upward trend that began around the middle of 2009. Employment grew nearly 0.8 percent over the past eight months, which is 1.1 percent at an annual rate. This translates into nearly 40,000 new jobs for February 2010 and nearly 150,000 new jobs since June 2009.

Compensation and Hours Worked

In addition to analyzing small business employment, the Intuit Index also measures compensation and hours worked. Monthly average compensation per employee has been flat since September 2008. It remained flat in February at $2,559, down by 0.1 percent compared to the prior month. Due to volatility in compensation, this is still considered flat and does not represent a downward trend. Hourly employees worked an average of 101.4 hours in February.

About the Index

The Intuit Small Business Employment Index is based on online data from approximately 50,000 small business employers with fewer than 20 employees who use Intuit Online Payroll. Intuit reports data for three categories: small business employment, compensation and hours worked. Intuit will analyze and publish the data at the beginning of each month.

“Small businesses offer a unique view into the American economy,” said Cameron Schmidt, vice president of Intuit’s Employee Management Solutions division. “Because Intuit provides payroll for more than 1 million of them, we understand the ebb and flow of business. This index provides the first real insight into employment and compensation trends at the smallest of these businesses.”

Dr. Woodward highlighted the significance of Intuit’s data: “The Intuit Online Payroll data offers interesting macroeconomic insight to what is happening nationally to small businesses in close to real time.”

The Index data reflects monthly employment activity in small businesses, and is adjusted to account for changes in Intuit’s Online Payroll customer base. The percent change is measured monthly using the change in employment for existing Intuit Online Payroll customers from one month to the next. The set of customers changes each month so the measurement is the change, for each pair of months, for customers who are present in both the earlier and the later month.

Further information about the Intuit Small Business Employment Index is available at:www.intuitinc.com/payrollindex.

About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks(R), Quicken(R) and TurboTax(R), simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries(R) and Lacerte(R) are Intuit’s leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. The company’s financial institutions division, anchored by Digital Insight, provides on-demand banking services to help banks and credit unions serve businesses and consumers with innovative solutions.

The Minnesota Marketplace for Entrepreneurs will include educational sessions, which will cover business topics for entrepreneurs and inventors. Entrepreneurs may also participate in a competition in which they describe their business in three minutes. The event is free and open to the public.

The marketplace will include booths where businesses and service providers showcase their products and services for entrepreneurs. Those wishing to exhibit can visit mnmarketplace.org to register and get details on an early bird discount for exhibitors registering by Friday. Entrepreneurs also will have the opportunity to exhibit at the event at no charge and sell their products through a consignment store operated by the Minnesota State University Entrepreneurship Club. The registration deadline for all exhibitors is March 23.

The event is presented by Bethany Lutheran College, Greater Mankato Business Accelerator, Minnesota Inventors Congress, MSU, Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation, South Central College, South Central Small Business Development Center and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

It is interesting to note that the Finance Minister referred to development of eco-friendly (and world-class infrastructure) around six industrial investment nodes. This points to a focus on sustainability in future development projects. It will also mean the use of more locally developed materials, adherence to international environmental standards and better all – climate infrastructure.

In the implementation of the budgetary vision, a lot of new projects will be rolled out. Apart from the construction players, it also means more business for companies dealing in concrete, steel, paints, fabrication, rehabilitation and design software.

Implementation of safety standards and effective project management to deliver projects on time will be the key for all future projects in the country.

For this reasons, International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), the global provider of tailored, industry-driven conferences, will explore successful strategies to maximize opportunities in India’s infrastructure growth in both roads and railways.

Bridges India is an exclusive two-day conference and two-day interactive workshops, taking place at the Taj Mahal hotel, New Delhi, from 24-27 May 2010. it is where regional and international experts will showcase their latest projects and discuss future plans across the full array of flyovers, elevated roads, sea-links, elevated metro structures and railway bridges.

Bridges India, hosting valuable contributions from 18 industry experts, provides an excellent platform to explore business opportunities, find solutions to construction challenges, benchmark your current practices, and build industry partnerships that will result in mutual business growth. Speakers include S.K. Malik, Additional Member (Civil Engineering), Railway Board, S.K. Nirmal, Chief General Manager (Technical), NHAI, S.M. Sabnis, Joint Managing Director (Additional Charge), MRDC and G.R. Madan, Director – MRTS, MMRDA

International projects featured include the Hong Kong-Macau Bridge and Abu Dhabi’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The technological advancements used in construction of elevated structures from theHong Kong, Dubai and Mecca metro will also be presented.

Since this event will be attended by delegates from different companies working in the region, attendees will get the chance to be exposed to best practices and establish a networking community for the benefit of the business.

The summit is supported by Mageba Switzerland, Sofistix and Tensacciai India Pvt Ltd as Associate Sponsors and by Afcons, Encardio Rite, Pranav Construction and VSL as exhibitors.

Topics that will be addressed at the forum include: ensuring deliverability of projects on time, optimizing design to minimize materials and cost, adherence to safety standards, finding a balance between aesthetics and functionality, examining the uniqueness of railway bridges, correct selection of material and, overcoming structural engineering challenges.

For more information visit http://www.bridges-india.com

WSI, the global leader in Internet marketing solutions operating in over 80 countries worldwide, is organizing a 3-city seminar series in the Baltics to educate aspiring entrepreneurs on how to run a profitable franchise business. The business opportunity seminar series will kick off in Tallinn, Estonia on March 1, move to Riga, Latvia on March 3 and end in Vilnius, Lithuania on March 5. With two sessions taking place in each city, local entrepreneurs will learn the ins and outs of operating a successful business and the revenue opportunities available through the WSI franchise.

Ron McArthur, president of WSI, says, “Over the past year, the word ‘recession’ resounded among various markets all over the world, impacting the decisions of business people everywhere. Many people were laid off from their long-time corporate positions where they earned a comfortable salary, and were forced to look at other career options. As a result, WSI has seen a considerably increase in the number of Internet marketing franchise offices opening around the world. Through our business opportunity seminar series, WSI aims to educate entrepreneurs on the freedom and advantages of owning a business and the benefits associated with the WSI Internet marketing franchise opportunity.”

The seminar series will be facilitated by Armin Tull, the WSI Master Franchisee in the Baltics. Joining the seminars as a special guest speaker will be Ray MacNeil, International Franchise Director at WSI Head Office. Ray will give attendees a 360-degree overview of a typical franchise system and the opportunities of WSI’s Internet marketing franchise. There will be two sessions for each seminar:

· March 1 at 12 PM or 6 PM – City Hotel Portus, Tallinn, Estonia
· March 3 at 12 PM or 6 PM – Elefant Hotel, Riga, Latvia,
· March 5 at 12 PM or 6 PM – Reval Hotel Lietuva, Vilnius, Lithuania

Registrations cost 19 Euros, and more information can be found at: http://www.wsibaltics.com/wsi-seminar-english-2

Ray MacNeil, International Franchise Director at WSI Corporate, says, “According to ZenithOptimedia, this year, Internet advertising is expected to reach $13 million USD in Estonia, $12.9 million in Latvia and $18.9 million in Lithuania. As marketers begin shifting more of their advertising budgets from traditional channels to the Internet, our WSI franchisees are experiencing substantial increase in business. Our franchisees are specially trained and certified to offer advanced Internet marketing strategies that include pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, lead generation, Web analytics and more. Attendees will learn about these revenue opportunities at these seminars.”

The WSI franchise opportunity includes one of the most complete and comprehensive training and certification programs available, along with a dynamic business coaching and support program custom-tailored to meet the unique needs of each new franchisee. WSI is committed to the profitability of its franchise network and the SMB market. Its ongoing corporate initiatives toward this goal contribute to the company’s long-standing and continuing excellence in the industry’s most well recognized franchise listing.

About WSI
WSI is the world’s #1 franchise offering Internet marketing services to suit the needs of multiple industries. The company has the world’s largest Internet Consultants’ network operating in over 80 countries and a 100-person strong head office in Toronto, Canada. WSI Internet Marketing Consultants have helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses realize their online marketing potential. By using innovative Internet technologies and advanced Internet marketing strategies, businesses can have a WSI Internet Marketing System tailored to their individual needs to elevate their Internet presence and profitability to new levels. In 2009, WSI was the proud recipient of 5 Standard of Excellence Awards at the Annual WebAwards Competition organized by the Web Marketing Association (WMA). WSI has been ranked the #1 Internet Services Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 listing for 10 years in a row. Entrepreneur Magazine also ranks WSI at #13 among the Top Home Based Franchises and #49 in America’s Top Global Franchises. With the support and cooperation of its customers, franchise network, employees, suppliers and charitable organizations, WSI aims to help make child poverty history through its global outreach program. For more information about WSI’s offerings and business opportunities, please visit our website at www.wsicorporate.com.

GBF has built a private sector driven non-profit to promote a sustainable homegrown model for building viable partnerships that enable development at the community level. Through various intermediations between the private sector and the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), we are able to support local cooperative enterprises facilitating meaningful development in several communities across 34 states in Nigeria. Using micro lending as a platform, GBF has been facilitating direct contact with BOP entrepreneurs and farmers over the last 10 years.

GBF acts as intermediary and consultant to the private sector in the design of services that cater to the underserved communities and marginalized peoples. GBF acts on the principle that the best help is self-help and our objectives include empowering micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in a socially, ecologically, economically and culturally sustainable manner.

With operations across 34 States of the Federation, GBF has been able to directly or indirectly impact the lives of over 2 million Nigerians.  To attain this goal, GBF has invested in and promoted partners that include, but are not limited to 22 Micro Finance institutions, 576 Cooperatives/CBOs, 4 Micro Finance Banks, and many thousands of entrepreneurs.

GBF has 44 permanent staff, 39 contract staff and over 100 temporary staff in 6 offices, operating in 34 states across all 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Kittelson & Carpo was founded by a Filipino corporate tax lawyer and an American Outsourcing Consultant in Makati, Metro-Manila to provide dynamic assistance to foreign BPO and outsourcing companies starting and doing business in the Philippines. Our main areas of expertise are business registration with government agencies, taxation, employment, payroll, accounting and HR recruitment.

In the last three years K&C has registered more than 100 foreign companies setting up businesses in the Philippines.

K&C provides assistance to:

1. determine the appropriate business vehicle for your company
2. understand and manage the risks and cost of doing business in the Philippines
3. determine your eligibility for tax incentives available under Philippine law
4. implement your business strategy which includes SEC registration and availment of certain tax incentives with PEZA or BOI.

Once the business registration and tax incentives are addressed K&C then assists with working Visas and Permits for foreign employees, office space, HR staffing, payroll and accounting services.  We will open doors to various industries in the Philippine business environment.  Kittelson & Carpo Consulting is essentially a “One-Stop-Shop” for companies starting their business in the Philippines.

K&C can advise on the most suitable business enterprise for you considering the company’s intentions, foreign ownership restrictions , tax , income and corporate concerns when doing business in the Philippines.

“In our increasingly threatened and fragile world, to know and not to act in the best interests of people, communities and the environment is totally unacceptable. If the world is to survive and thrive, a business must look beyond the bottom line and place equal importance on humanity and sustainability,” said Kent Redding, AAC co-founder and president.

True to Redding’s beliefs, AAC is green and getting greener at home and abroad. New this year, AAC will now offset 100% of each trip through the purchase of carbon credits.

“Based on the success of past years where we offset 50% of each trip, we decided to go all the way and now offer 100% carbon-neutral safaris across the board,” says Redding.

In the field, AAC’s African partners are selected on the basis of sound environmental records and policies. With these partners AAC helps to implement solar and wind power projects, reduce wood burning, protect land to create carbon sinks, and more.

At home in their Denver office AAC has reduced its use of printed materials by 75% by going nearly paperless, is committed to the reuse-recycle of all office paper, disabled the majority of unneeded office lights and installed long life/low energy use bulbs wherever feasible.

Redding explains that ACC ground partners are expected to follow these guidelines:
• Employ local people and offer solid training and education programs for these employees.
• Institute and maintain business practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote healthy and responsible use of resources.
• Provide environmentally friendly accommodations that utilize conservation methods such as solar-powered lights and local, low-impact construction materials.
• Procure supplies from local sources thereby supporting the local economy.

“We’re always on the lookout for ways that ACC and our partners can positively impact the communities and individuals we encounter,” said Redding. ACC makes a $25 donation on behalf of each guest to support a variety of African conservation and humanitarian organizations.

AAC recently donated $3,700 to the non-profit organization Mwangaza (www.mwangaza.org). Formed in 2000, it spearheads an effort to improve the quality of life for individuals in underserved communities in Tanzania supporting health-related projects, particularly those impacting the physically disabled. Donations are used to fund responsible development through the support of grassroots, community-based projects that foster long-term self-sufficiency.

Another effort supported by company donations is the Serengeti Cheetah Project, the only continually running long-term study of wild cheetahs in the world. The Serengeti Cheetah Project is dedicated to furthering knowledge about this endangered species. Funds go to support basic research and conservation. For more information please download: www.serengeti.org/deutsch_neu/download/Cheetah_Project.pdf

New for 2010 will be a series of carefully designed, low-impact luxury safaris utilizing small-footprint camps and lodges that have innovative eco-friendly programs and social projects. The first to launch this year is the Tanzania Green Safari, a 10-day eco/socially responsible safari to Tanzania’s best parks (http://www.adventuresinafrica.com/adventures.trips.aspx?trip_id=204). The trip will also benefit the Tanzania Land Conservation Trust with a $100 per guest donation.

About Africa Adventure Consultants
“We have an edge doing business in Africa as an American company because we serve as a bridge between these two distinct cultures. Our staff knows what North American travelers expect and can deliver on target. We know the travel obstacles and best practices as well as those very special places off the tourist track.” —Kent Redding, Africa Adventure Consultants

Denver-based Africa Adventure Consultants, Inc. (AAC) organizes exclusive, customized, 100% carbon-neutral safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa. The company conducts business only in destinations they know intimately and offers Africa’s best local camps, lodges and guides. They are definitive experts with years of relationship building and travel in the countries where they orchestrate safaris. This in-country expertise and depth of knowledge differentiates ACC from other safari providers. AAC offers full service trip planning, from flights and safaris, to travel insurance and safari gear.

AAC organizes luxury safari adventures in 13 countries across East and Southern Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and The Seychelles.

Recent company accolades include:
• National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth 2009/2008
• National Geographic Adventure Best 25 New Trips for 2009
• Conde Nast Traveler Top African Travel Specialist 2007/2006
• Tanzania Tourist Board Tour Operator Humanitarian Award 2004

For more information please go to: http://www.adventuresinafrica.com/ or call 303-778-1089, toll-free at 866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.

For media inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:
Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / sara@widnesspr.com
Dave Wiggins: 303.554.8821 / dave@travelnewssource.com

Contact: Kent Redding, President
Africa Adventure Consultants, Inc.
Phone: 866-778-1089 / 303-778-1089
Email: kent@adventuresinafrica.com
Website: http://www.adventuresinafrica.com

Since 1985, the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame has recognized innovators and leaders in the Chicago area. Each year distinguished entrepreneurs who have demonstrated entrepreneurial talent by founding and/or growing a local business are inducted. By highlighting outstanding entrepreneurs, the Hall of Fame recognizes excellence and encourages business leaders, students and government officials to honor the entrepreneurial spirit.

About the UIC Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies

The University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies was founded in 1982 by Professor Gerry Hills, Coleman Chairholder in Entrepreneurship. The institute is one of the leading entrepreneurial research and professional organizations in the United States.

About Valence Health

Valence Health was founded in March 1996 with a vision of providing management support to providers and provider initiatives such as IPAS, PHOs and integrated delivery systems. Today, Valence provides outsourced administrative management services to health plans and clinical integration solutions through data analytics and other custom tools to support provider organizations in their desire to manage care as effectively and efficiently as possible. For more information about Valence Health’s capabilities and solutions, contact Greg Foster, director of sales and marketing, at 312.277.6377 or visit www.valencehealth.com.

The State Department’s Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce the signing of two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the governments of Bahrain and Oman to promote entrepreneurship in the Middle East and expand trade opportunities for America’s small businesses.

The MOUs are the result of a shared vision between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and MEPI to support economic development, with a special focus on the unique needs of women small business owners, and to provide technical assistance in the Middle East and North Africa. Both agreements lay out broad frameworks of mutual engagement and support between the SBA and the governments of Oman and Bahrain, and will be followed by detailed plans of action that will result in direct and impactful change for small and medium-sized enterprises in these countries.

MEPI creates vibrant partnerships between the U.S. and the citizens of the Middle East and North Africa to foster development of pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies throughout the region. MEPI works with local and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academic institutions and governments to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic growth. To learn more, please visit www.mepi.state.gov.

EntreDot mentors establish long term relationships with entrepreneurs to help them develop their business ideas, find the resources they need and advise them on how to successfully manage their businesses. The beauty of their mentoring services is that they perform them all online, eliminating the need for long distance travel. By using state-of-the art community collaboration technologies they are able to reach out to mentors, other business professionals, partners, and a broad array of business resources.

“EntreDot fills a gap between the more academic aspects to entrepreneurship and the real life “rubber meets the road” experience, advice, guidance and contacts that only a true veteran of the business world can offer,” says Tim Will, executive director, Foothills Connect Business and Technology Center (www.foothillsconnect.com) in Rutherfordton, N.C. “Two of our local entrepreneurs are already working with EntreDot with many more in the months to come.”

“We are pleased that EntreDot™ will assist businesses in Martin County. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. As EntreDot helps individual businesses find opportunities, the Martin County economy becomes stronger,” says Marvin Davis, executive director, Martin County Economic Development (www.martincountyedc.com).

EntreDot is financed by a generous grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (www.zsr.org), and their ongoing operation will be funded by further grants and contributions.

The entrepreneurs recognized were Rajendran who started 2 years back with 4 lakhs and is in the process of reaching a turnover of 2 crores, Sarala, a finalist in the Global International woman entrepreneur of the year award 2009 & highest employment provider of 40 people and Muthulingam winner of the National Citi Group Awards 2009.

The Mentors of these entrepreneurs, Mr Kailash, Ms Parul Bhatt and Mr Haribhaskar & Indian Bank Branches which supported them with assistance from Old Washermanpet, Ambattur & Vadapalani were also commended for providing the high quality support. The Branch managers of Otteri and Porur were commended for completing highest loan disbursements. The DGM of both Chennai and Kancheepuram, Mr Ulagan & Mr S Sadagopan and the BYST Selection panel member representatives, Mr T L Viswanathan, Chairman, Mr T Victor & Mr Ramamurthy were recognized for their contribution in ensuring success of this scheme.

The over 200 senior participants from Business, financial Institutions, Government, Civil Society Organizations and youth leaders took an oath that they would help to support a youngster to take up entrepreneurship.

BYST, a non-profit at the forefront of entrepreneurship development working with business leaders across India. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), its strategic partner has been a pillar of support from its inception bringing in active participation from the SME sector. A valuable partnership forged with the Guru Nanak College today was formalized with a letter of cooperation given to the Secretary & Correspondent Mr Sardar Manjeet Singh Sethi. Mr Sethi announced that the college would coordinate and cooperate in entrepreneurial development and business guidance.

Welcoming the gathering, Ms Lakshmi V Venkatesan, Founding Trustee and Executive Vice-President, BYST, said that “Funding and the desire to succeed alone is not enough if the start up businesses are to survive & grow, especially when they are set up by underprivileged young people”,. “Guidance through mentors along with a whole range of innovative business development services is essential to nurturing and sustaining small business start ups. Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust has created a unique role model for youth entrepreneurship all over India, many of whom has also become millionaires and has won national, international awards.

The support extended by financial institutions such as Indian Bank for its southern regional operations and Bank of Baroda for its Northern Regional operations and the support from International Finance Corporation for the BYST growth Fund is considered as a corner stone for scaling up. Banks have a critical role to play as government of India reports still show the gap between supply and demand for credit. BYST is thankful to Indian Bank and Mr Sundera Rajan for his vision in pioneering this joint scheme. He has kindly accepted our request to make BYST’s youth targets as part of his business plan.

Mr T L Viswanathan, Chairman, Strategic Committee, BYST, briefed the gathering on the background to initiate this kind of a scheme and role of each stakeholder underscoring the importance of each partner in making this scheme succeed.

Indian Bank Chairman, Mr M S Sundera Rajan said that IB is very happy to have done this partnership Mr. Sundera Rajan reiterated that it is successes of entrepreneurs like Rajendran, Sarala and Muthulingam, made possible through BYST’s extensive mentoring program in partnership with the business community that has encouraged IB to give it special focus. He added that IB is looking to ensure that credit flow for entrepreneurs remains healthy particularly in these financially challenging times. He further said that he was looking forward to extending this partnership to other regions in course of time & was keen to in build the targets of loans under this scheme in his annual business plan from 2010 to ensure reaching more numbers.

The guests were attracted to the exposition of BYST entrepreneurs produce. Products on display ranged from attractive colorful handicrafts, intricately designed garments, heavy engineering and industrial products produced by young entrepreneurs from BYST, they along with their Mentors proudly displayed their handiworks and keenly explained to the guests.

Register now for the entire day ($125) and plan to attend breakout sessions that cover topics relevant to young professionals. Or, register for the keynote luncheon only ($75) and hear from the very successful Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver, TOMS Shoes.

Begin your day at the opening session featuring Patricia Martin, CEO and founder, LitLamp Communications and author of “Renaissance Generation.”

Then choose a breakout session. Topics include engaging in politics, building your résumé through social media, eliminating poverty and homelessness in Omaha, and designing and launching an audience-specific program.

Time to eat. Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver at TOMS Shoes will be the keynote speaker. Also during lunch, the annual Young Professionals Choice Award will be presented to the Omaha Public Power District in recognition of their efforts to attract, retain and develop young professionals. Koley Jessen Attorneys is the sponsor of this award.

Time to choose your first afternoon breakout session. Topics include addressing multiple faiths in the workplace, creating a competitive advantage by incorporating sustainability, using service to foster career advancement and exploring race relations.

Grow and succeed. Choose your final afternoon breakout session! Choices include positioning yourself for success, sparking innovation through brainstorming and bringing traditional business skills to the next generation entrepreneur.

Complete your day with closing speaker, William Taylor, founding editor of Fast Company, author and entrepreneur.

View the day’s agenda for additional details >>

New this year is the Small Business Strategy Award, which will honor one small business that has thrived and achieved milestones despite the economic downturn. “We are looking to recognize entrepreneurial and strategic excellence that has led to significant increased profits, expanded market, and/or improved market position. If yours is one such company, and you are registered to attend, we invite you to apply,” said Marian Banker, MBA, Summit Co-Producer, Business Leadership Coach, and President of Prime Strategies. In addition to receiving the award and prize, the winner will have the opportunity to introduce their business and tell their story. The deadline for award
applications is March 1, 2010.
The Summit aims to provide businesses with a strategic edge and empower entrepreneurs to transform uncertainty into opportunity. Speakers and panelists will present effective ways to grow a small business as well as how to apply “big business strategies” on a small business budget.
Speakers include several of America’s recognized small business experts, along with keynote address by best-selling author Seth Godin, who will share his Insights on Being Indispensable to Your Customers.
Sponsors include Dell®, Campaigner, Infusionsoft, Intuit, Microsoft® Office Live Small Business, Wasp Barcode Technologies, NYS Small Business Development Center, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, commented “This Summit has a loyal following of attendees and sponsors. We’re proud to be a partner once again.”
Early Bird (before March 1st) registrants will pay $149 for the all-day event. More information on the Summit and the award can be found at www.smallbiztechsummit.com.

Come March 6th and India will witness coming together of 200 Entrepreneurs – from different industries, from different stages in their business lifecycle for UnPluggd Event.

If you are an entrepreneur, you must have heard of these statements (from startups/VCs/media/bloggers etc)

• Consumer Internet is just not happening in India (i.e. one cannot build a profitable Internet company from India)
• You cannot build a global technology company from India without spending a fortune [read: cash strapped startups cannot build one]
• Global Brand from India? We don’t have many! [i.e. startups cannot even think of this!]
• You always need funding to make it big.

If you have started believing in these stories, it’s time to give yourself a hug.

And come over for the event.

UnPluGGD, a startup event, scheduled for March 6th, 2010 will change your perspective on state of entrepreneurship in India. We bring to you startups/small businesses who have made it significantly big and we want you to hear out their stories, the challenges they faced, the negative reaction that they went through.

Organized by Pluggd.in, India’s premiere website on technology startups, UnPluggd is an event to showcase ‘business’ entrepreneurship and not just ‘product’ entrepreneurship.

The theme for the event – “From Startups to Small Business” has already caught the attention of small businesses, early stage entrepreneurs and Investors.

“Building business is much more than building products and the focus for UnPluggd’s March Edition will be to showcase technology startups who have achieved phenomenal growth defying the norms.
The companies which get to present would be startups at various stages of their life cycle. They would be chosen based on one factor – disruption.” says Ashish Sinha , Founder and CEO of Pluggd.in.

These startups have built a strong brand and defied the ’standard’ wisdom of doing business. Call them the underdogs.

“Did they raise money? How did they bootstrap? Was it really the first stroke that was successful? These startups will share their part of the story and the insights behind the success.”

Not just that, every startup can speak about itself. Share the real issues, infrastructure dependencies, monetary needs etc. Collaborate, showcase and network in an all open manner.

Notes to Editor

For sponsorship, there are slots available – interested companies can contact the team at the earliest.

Website: http://www.UnPluggd.org, or visit http://www.pluggd.in
Contact Details: ashish @ pluggd.in

Pluggd.in is a platform focused on early stage startups and brings together startups, VCs, geeks and several other parts of the ecosystem in the most democratic manner. The site is widely read by entrepreneurial community and receives a great amount of engagement.

“We’re thrilled to see the tradition continue with this amazing set of entrepreneurs.”

To participate in the raffle, entrepreneurs need to go to www.mayfield.com/raffle and fill out a short online application. Raj Kapoor and Emily Melton of Mayfield and Josh Kopelman and Rob Hayes of First Round will select 100 of the most promising applicants to attend the private event on Monday, March 1, 2010. At that event, six winners will be announced and all the attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs. Each winner will be matched with one mentor for one informal mentoring session. There is no cost associated with participating in the raffle.

“We are honored these proven founders were willing to donate their time to share learnings with aspiring entrepreneurs,” said Kapoor. “We believe that the best way to inspire success is to learn from those who are making an impact on our industry.”

“Founders helping founders has always been a key component of our startup community,” said Hayes. “We’re thrilled to see the tradition continue with this amazing set of entrepreneurs.”

About Mayfield Fund

Mayfield Fund provides venture capital with impact by partnering with exceptional individuals to create industry-leading companies. The firm has $2.8 billion under management and focuses on the U.S., China and India markets. Since Mayfield’s founding in 1969, the firm has invested in more than 500 high-growth companies, taken more than 100 public and exited nearly 100 others through mergers and acquisitions. Some notable investments include 3COM, Genentech, Intuitive Surgical, MIPS, Nuance, Redback Networks, and Sandisk. For more information, visit www.mayfield.com.

About First Round Capital

First Round Capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm dedicated to helping talented entrepreneurs build remarkable companies. First Round Capital typically funds pre-revenue companies – and often provides a company’s first outside capital. As former entrepreneurs, the partners at First Round understand the challenges of launching a new enterprise, and offer insight and expertise that are as valuable as its venture capital. The firm has invested in over 75 early stage companies, and additional information on First Round Capital is available at http://www.firstround.com.

Dublin, CA (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 4, 2010 — More Californians were buying businesses last month than in January 2009, according to the website that matches buyers and sellers of businesses in California. BizBen.com–businesses for sale in California, announced that 1,074 deals were concluded in the state during the just-completed month, up 24% from the 865 closed transactions recorded in January last year.

“We’re seeing the effects of pent-up demand,” said Peter Siegel, MBA, founder and CEO of BizBen.com, and an entrepreneur with a record of starting, buying and selling small businesses over the past several years.

We’re seeing the effects of pent-up demand
Buyers and sellers have been hesitating to make their moves, waiting to see how things are going to shake out in the economy. But you can’t wait forever–not if you’re an owner ready to retire now, and not if you are a buyer who needs to get involved in an enterprise that will provide an income.
It’s encouraging to look at the overall trend
A major problem, of course, has been the lack of the funds available from business banks that buyers need to do business. Unfortunately, a lot of buyers have seen their nest eggs evaporate and that has made it more difficult to come up with the cash and the collateral required to complete a transaction.
If the plan works, it could be the ‘juice’ needed to accelerate the rate of buying businesses.
And the supply side of the equation includes hundreds of thousands of baby boomer business owners who are getting ready to retire and to receive the equity they’ve built into their companies.
“Buyers and sellers have been hesitating to make their moves, waiting to see how things are going to shake out in the economy. But you can’t wait forever–not if you’re an owner ready to retire now, and not if you are a buyer who needs to get involved in an enterprise that will provide an income.”

Southern California counties were consistent in showing growth when comparing January of last year to last month. For Los Angeles County the increase was nearly 29%, climbing from 227 to 292 transactions. Orange County’s increase was from 80 to 96, San Diego saw growth from 51 sales in January 2009 to 68 in the just-completed month, and Riverside County posted a gain from 16 to 25.

Northern California figures were mixed. The rate of buying businesses in San Francisco was down from 40 to 34, Alameda County activity dropped from 72 to 58, and Sacramento County sales went from 33 during January 2009 to 27 last month. Contra Costa County posted an increase to 27 transactions from 15 in January last year, and numbers were up substantially in Santa Clara County, from 30 to 83.

“It’s encouraging to look at the overall trend,” said Siegel. “One important factor is that California entrepreneurs are quite resourceful. They’re making more use of strategies such as seller financing and earnout agreements to get their deals done.

“A major problem, of course, has been the lack of the funds available from business banks that buyers need to do business. Unfortunately, a lot of buyers have seen their nest eggs evaporate and that has made it more difficult to come up with the cash and the collateral required to complete a transaction.”

Siegel said it is “too soon to tell” whether the pledge by President Obama to direct $30 billion in TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funds to the small business community through local banks will “take hold like it’s intended.

“If the plan works, it could be the ‘juice’ needed to accelerate the rate of buying businesses.”

Siegel noted the long term prognosis for the small business sales market is “headed for the roof.

“When it comes to demand, we see a growing population of unemployed Americans joining the population of people who are engaged in buying businesses.

“And the supply side of the equation includes hundreds of thousands of baby boomer business owners who are getting ready to retire and to receive the equity they’ve built into their companies.”

BizBen.com has been matching people interested in selling and buying businesses since 1994 and furnishing all interested participants in the market with sales data for the past 12 years. In addition to the opportunities and information, the site contains ideas, news and a blog page for business buyers and sellers, and the business brokers as well as the other professionals who serve them.

January sales results by California County are accessed at BizBen Statistics
and are as follows:

Alameda: 58, Butte: 8, Contra Costa: 27, El Dorado: 9, Fresno: 40, Glenn: 1, Humboldt: 1, Imperial: 4, Inyo: 1, Kern: 20, Kings: 1, Los Angeles: 292, Madera: 1, Marin: 11, Mendocino: 2, Merced: 8, Monterey: 15, Napa: 9, Nevada: 5, Orange: 96, Placer: 14, Riverside: 25, Sacramento: 27, San Bernardino: 38, San Diego: 68, San Francisco: 34, San Joaquin: 30, San Luis Obispo: 15, San Mateo: 17, Santa Barbara: 12, Santa Clara: 83, Santa Cruz: 11, Shasta: 4, Solano: 9, Sonoma: 11, Stanislaus: 24, Sutter: 3, Tehama: 1, Tulare: 14, Tuolumne: 3, Ventura: 16, Yolo: 6

For more information: Peter Siegel
Phone 866-270-6278

World Bank economist Hippolyte Fofack, who manages the macroeconomic and growth program for the banks and formerly served on the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network, will join Lonnie J. King, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, and Robert L. Caldwell, Institute for Urban Public Policy, to discuss various policy initiatives utilized to address poverty through business development.

Practitioners will include Joseph DeLoss, director of Social Enterprise for Luther Social Services of Central Ohio; Erin Krampetz, business and program development manager for Ashoka U, a network that supports social entrepreneurship; and Patty Mitchell, the creative founder of Passion Works Studio, a gallery, store and studio featuring the artistic work of people with developmental disabilities.

Scholars will include Jill Kickul, director of the Stewart Satter Program in Entrepreneurship at New York University’s Stern School of Business; Sharon Alvarez, associate professor of management and human resources at Fisher;  and Geoffrey Kistruck, an assistant professor in management and human resources at Fisher. Both Alvarez’s and Kistruck’s research areas include a focus on social entrepreneurship and market-based solutions to poverty alleviation and building wealth.

SOURCE Business Builders Club – The Ohio State University