"Financing High Impact Ventures: Creating Wealth and Jobs in Montana" Seminar Available in Your Community

Montana State Workforce Investment Board

and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Announce

"Financing High Impact Ventures: Creating Wealth and Jobs in Montana"

The Montana State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) announced today they are offering a new capital-raising seminar: "Financing a High-Impact Venture: Creating Wealth and Jobs in Montana."

"In 2008, angel investors put $25 billion dollars in 50,000 startup ventures in the United States. This Project will serve to connect the entrepreneur with angel fund mentors and advisors, a connection that has proved to be critical to successful enterprise creation", said Evan Barrett, Chief Business Officer, Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

The seminar was created by internationally known entrepreneur and angel investor, Bill Payne, a part time Montana resident and Liz Marchi of the Montana Angel Network. Economic data continues to underscore the importance of new enterprises as the key driver of jobs. In response, the SWIB and GOED will make this seminar available to entrepreneurs across the state as part of Governor Schweitzer’s Innovate Montana Initiative. The seminar will launch in Kalispell, Montana at Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) on Thursday, April 21, 2011 in the Arts and Technology Building, Room 139. The event is being co-sponsored by Montana West Economic Development.

The four-hour program will help provide real world knowledge for funding businesses, including:

(1) An introduction to start-up capital requirements and stages of development;

(2) Examining investment opportunities – lender vs. investors;

(3) Exit strategies and options;

(4) Capital sources for entrepreneurs – angel investors vs. venture capitalists;

(5) Business plans for start-ups;

(6) What is a fundable Company; and,

(7) How to surround yourself with great advisors.

Angel Investor, William H. Payne http://www.billpayne.com , engineer, entrepreneur, and educator is presenting the seminar. Mr. Payne has significant experience in new product development, commercializing new products and using strategic partnerships to facilitate new product implementation. Mr. Payne is an experienced advisor to entrepreneurs, having invested in more than 50 startups. In addition to his angel investing, he has written an eBook, the Definitive Guide to Raising Money from Angels, available on his website at http://www.billpayne.com. Mr. Payne has also written many articles on angel investing http://matr.net/news.phtml?cat_id=128&catlabel=Bill+Payne+ , published on eVenturing and elsewhere. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, INC Magazine, Business Week and others, as an expert on angel investing.

Liz Marchi, co-presenter, is principal of Liz Marchi Consulting and a partner in Northfork Strategies. Ms. Marchi is the former CEO/President of Montana West Economic Development where she oversaw the creation of Montana’s first angel fund, recruited business to NW Montana, worked in entrepreneurial development and lending.

There are tremendous business opportunities for entrepreneurs in Montana. The SWIB/GOED workshop has been specifically developed to help growing Montana businesses understand the trajectory and elements of building an enterprise that creates wealth and jobs.

This initial seminar is limited to 25 participants. To register please go to http://www.innovatemontana.com or contact [email protected] or by phone at 406-883-4044. If you are interesting in bringing this curriculum to your community, contact Liz Marchi.