W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Post

Nebraska launched one of the best entrepreneurial policy evolutions in 2011 - the Business Innovation Act. This included the Nebraska Prototyping Fund, SBIR Matching and Phase 0, Research and Development incentives including for startups, and retained the "Kiewit Rule" which allows a 1x use tax policy to avoid taxes on private company stock sales. But, as I have become more educated on entrepreneurial policy, I have been exposed to many other good ideas. Specifically, the Right to Start agenda which includes a variety of concepts is one that I respect. Which of the following would you like to see in your state - please add your choices and ideas in the comments: 1. A 5% set aside of government contracts in the state/city for young (less than 5 years old) companies. 2. An office of entrepreneurship that acts as a concierge to state level issues. 3. Elimination of un-necessary licenses. [The Platte Institute has done a lot of work on this in Nebraska.] 4. Healthcare Reform - providing a path for easy access (and possibly subsidization) to healthcare for young businesses. 5. Financial Innovation - creating new ways for more businesses to get early stage financing (generally - not venture capital and not a straight business loan). If you want more information on Right to Start's other policy ideas, check out their website - https://lnkd.in/g9sW2GZp!

Just finished the course “Mission and Vision Statements Explained” by Entrepreneur NOW!

📢 Announcement! USDA and its Heartland Regional Food Business Center announced the availability of over $3.7 million through the Business Builder Grants to aid small and mid-sized farm & food businesses.       This grant is open to applicants in northwest Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma with grant opportunities for other regions coming soon.     The USDA Heartland Regional Food Business Center has received a total of $11.15 million for their Business Builder program. The Center’s Business Builder program will accept proposals semi-annually for competitive subawards of $5,000 to $50,000 each. The Heartland Center will prioritize: Small farms and small businesses in urban and rural areas that operate along the local and regional food value chain  Food and farm entrepreneurs who are indigenous, immigrant, people of color, veterans, and otherwise disadvantaged, such as those with physical disabilities.    Food and farm entrepreneurs who are eager and ready to build their enterprises, from startup through growth.   Food and farm entrepreneurs who are unsure of eligibility and where to go for assistance and unfamiliar with resources.      The Heartland Center is accepting applications for its first-round of funding through October 15th.  https://lnkd.in/dwSnZDhr #FoodSecurity #BusinessGrowth #USDAFunding #USDARegionalFoodBusinessCenter 

📣 Heartland RFBC is first out the gate with their Business Builder Grants. If you are a food business or❗️ SHARED KITCHEN ❗️in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Omaha apply for $5,000 - $50,000 to grow your business. Eligible project activities include but are not limited to: - Business planning, feasibility studies, preparing loan applications. - Local food aggregation and distribution or food hub development. - Developing brand and marketing materials, including websites. - Market analysis, brokering services, and outreach to potential customers. - Marketing materials and supplies, and attendance at trade shows focused on local or regional markets. - Developing new products, labels, or packaging, including testing new formulations or recipes. - Improving processing, marketing, and distribution. - Legal support for business resilience, market risk management, and growth. - Training in food safety planning compliance for owners and/or employees. - Worker safety improvements, such as training staff, purchasing safety equipment. - Creating or expanding a farm stand, U-Pick, CSA, or other farm-direct sales platform.

How do entrepreneurial changemakers go from ideas to solutions for a targeted need for a specific group of people? How do they identify needs, think of solutions that solve problems, evaluate the impact of these solutions, and effectively communicate their innovations? These were the challenges our Upper School students addressed in the Entrepreneurial Changemaker elective. Read this inspiring story of one project that recently came to life thanks to the Changemaker Grants funded by the generous contributions from our community to the ISP Fund. https://lnkd.in/dez6VU38

Dear Agripreneur, As you start your business, you must think of how to grow fast. The trick or strategy to growing fast lies in first volunteering with others in your line of business before you start, remain in the network, and solve problems! #FarmerSamson #DearEntrepreneur

Check out Catalyst community finance initiative’s article by Future of Good highlighting three community finance organizations investing in rural and Northern communities!

Pitching to investors is hard, however it's much easier when you know what to avoid doing 🔥 Find out more about fundraising at my article: https://lnkd.in/esUPFfuY Check out 5 mistakes many entrepreneurs make when pitching to investors 👇

Six months since its inception, the Sanlam South African National Parks (SANParks) SMME Fund in partnership with I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR has already made significant strides. With 23 approved and funded applications and R 5.4 Million distributed, it has demonstrated its impact on local businesses. Notably, 57% of the beneficiaries are youth, and 43% are women, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. One of the key features of this initiative is its 0% interest rate, making it accessible and affordable for SMMEs. As entrepreneurs, we understand the challenges of securing and fulfilling large contracts. Through initiatives like this one, which focuses on purchase order funding, we aim to alleviate these challenges and foster a thriving business ecosystem in the vicinity of Kruger National Park. This initiative is just one of the ones in which I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR enters in collaborative efforts to support entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses.

AN OSTEOPATH, A SECRET ROOM-BUILDER AND A FRANCHISEE… Three very different entrepreneurs have booked a New Year PR Strategy Call with myself and Michelle so far. But they’ve all got one thing in common: A determination to get their visibility off to a flying start in 2024! There are only seven spots left priced at £149 each, so comment #YesPlease below to secure yours. Our superpower is figuring out what makes any business in any sector newsworthy. So, if you’re stuck for story ideas; don’t know where to start with getting in the press; or if you had some publicity and want more, let us help you figure out your first or next steps in just 60 minutes. You’ll also get a FREE copy of our Press Pack (RRP £149), which contains five press release templates you can use again and again to get press coverage that attracts new customers. And we’ll even donate 10% of every sale to Cats Protection via Work for Good 🐈 🐈⬛ 🐱 Good for your business, good for cats… This is a New Year offer that delivers on every level!