Women-Owned Business

The Center for Women's Business Research says they're surprised by their research showing that women's businesses contribute significantly to the economy. Why are they surprised? I've known that for years.

What surprises me is that only 28% of businesses are owned by women. My bet is that a lot of the entrepreneurial activity going on is not picked up by studies. Perhaps that's because many businesses stay small and don't employ many people.

The ones that do, contribute a lot to the economy. That's why several experts quoted in an article about the study said that the nation should do more to help women grow their businesses and take them out of the bottom tier to move into the mid-sized range.

Making that kind of leap is very difficult for any business. It means a different form of management and space. Cash flow changes. A lot of businesses that can't make the transition die. At least, that is what I've seen personally. The nature of what you do day-to-day changes when you have employees. But it is good for the economy as a whole.

The actual study cannot be accessed online. I got computer code, when I tried to do it. To read about the study, see this article in the New York Times:

Practically Speaking

One in Four Businesses Calls the Owner ‘Ma’am’

By MICKEY MEECE

Published: November 5, 2009

More than a quarter of all businesses are women-owned, but a high proportion of those are one-woman shops. Organizations are working to help them size up.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/business/smallbusiness/05sbiz.html

CVG - Alternative Energy

CVG & ACG-CT Breakfast Meeting: Investing in Alternative Energy Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:30 am - 9:30 am Sheraton Hartford Hotel, East Hartford, CT The alternative energy sector offers the promise of profits and employment creation as it attracts private investment and public sector support. Join with members of CVG and ACG-CT at our annual Hartford Breakfast meeting to hear what our distinguished roster of panelists have to say about the emerging regulatory and investment climate. Topics will include a preview of the most promising technologies and innovations, firm strategies for coping with the lack of credit, access to capital, and how to navigate the political and regulatory landscape. Participants Include: Moderator: Jon Coifman Vice President, Social Innovation & Environment Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Panelists: Michael F. Foley, Ph.D President and CEO Reflexite Corporation Peter V. Longo President and Executive Director Connecticut Innovations Joseph G. Mahler Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer FuelCell Energy Dr. Michael Werle Founder and Chief Scientist FloDesign Wind Turbine, Inc. Conference Fees: CVG Members: No Charge Non-Members: $75 Click here for Directions Click here to Register		Presented by: CVG Sponsors: Lead Sponsor Connecticut Innovations Gold Sponsors Economic Development Corporation of New Haven Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina PricewaterhouseCoopers Robinson & Cole LLP Shipman & Goodwin LLP UHY LLP Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Webster Bank Wiggin and Dana Yale University Silver Sponsors Business New Haven Capital Advisors Group CHL Medical Partners Fairfield Partners Executive Search FirstMark Capital Hartford Ventures LaunchCapital Murtha Cullina LLP O'Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins Pullman & Comley, LLC University of Connecticut Media Sponsors Connecticut Business Magazine Fairfield County Business Journal Hartford Business Journal Mass High Tech
© 2009 Connecticut Venture Group · 203.256.5955

THE 2009 EARLY STAGE VENTURE FAIR

From The Connecticut Venture Group

THE 2009 EARLY STAGE VENTURE FAIR is designed for entrepreneurs seeking capital to launch or expand a business. Selected companies receive:
• Time on the agenda to deliver a 4-minute PowerPoint presentation to investors
• Exhibit table
• Write-up in conference book
• Complimentary admission to November 19 Orientation and Early Stage Bootcamp

ORIENTATION November 19, North Haven Campus of Quinnipiac University, Room 250
1:30 pm – Registration
2:00 pm – Tapping into SBIR grants as a source of capital
2:30 pm – Capital Sources and Current Valuations
3:15 pm – Pitching Investors
4:00 pm – Logistics at December 9 Early Stage Venture Fair
4:30 pm – Dry runs of PowerPoint pitches, with expert feedback

To attend the November 19 orientation register at www.cvg.org/Registration/registration_11_19_09.html

The orientation is free to companies that have applied to present on December 9. All others, $125.

Click here for directions: http://www.cvg.org/Directions/Quinnipiac_North_Haven_Campus_Map.pdf

VENTURE FAIR December 9, New Haven Lawn Club
1:00 pm – Exhibitor Set-up
2:00 pm – Presentations by entrepreneurs
3:30 pm - Break
4:00 pm – Presentations by entrepreneurs (con’d.)
5:00 pm – Reception in exhibit area

To present and exhibit ($225 including two admissions), apply at www.back-offices.com/VCFair

To attend only, please register ($55) at http://www.cvg.org/Registration/registration_12_09_09.html

Click here for directions to Lawn Club: http://cvg.org/driving_directions.asp?id=5

For more information please visit www.CVG.org, or call Bernie Lynch at (203) 256-5955.

SPONSORS: Business New Haven • Capital Advisors Group • CHL Medical Partners • Connecticut Innovations •
EDC • Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge • Fairfield Partners Executive Search • Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina • FirstMark Capital • Hartford Ventures • LaunchCapital • Murtha Cullina LLP • O'Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP • Pullman & Comley, LLC • Robinson & Cole LLP • Shipman & Goodwin LLP • UHY Advisors • University of Connecticut • Updike, Kelly & Spellacy P.C. • Webster Bank • Wiggin and Dana LLP • Yale