Our Generation Cares’ Post

🌟 Happy National Small Business Day! Today, we celebrate the heartbeat of our community - our local businesses! 🎉 Did you know that here in Montgomery County, our small businesses aren't just individual entities? They're the backbone of our economy, working hand in hand with the county to create opportunities and drive growth! 💼💡 From cozy cafes to innovative startups, every small business plays a crucial role in shaping our vibrant community. Let's give a shout out to the incredible local businesses in Montgomery County, fueling dreams and fostering prosperity for all. Tag your favorite small business in the comments below! #SmallBusinessDay #SupportLocal #CountyPride #EconomicPartnership

Next week, the Race to Revenue program at the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame is set to host a spectacular event showcasing the innovative projects and groundbreaking work of its founders – a dedicated group of student entrepreneurs who have been diligently developing their ideas into viable ventures. This event, called Venture Vibes, will be an opportunity to demonstrate just how much our founders have done over the summer, while also bringing together the university and South Bend communities to celebrate creativity, entrepreneurship, and the spirit of innovation. Date: July 25th at 2:30 pm Location: Studebaker Building The event is designed to provide a platform for the students to present the fruits of their summer efforts. Throughout the season, these innovators have been part of an intensive program that offers mentorship, resources, and a collaborative environment to help transform their ideas into impactful solutions. What to Expect Founder Presentations: Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from the Founders as they pitch. Each presentation will delve into the problem being addressed, the innovative solution proposed, and the founder’s journey from concept to implementation. Networking Opportunities: after pitches, we'll gather in the lobby of the Studebaker Building for a casual Startup Happy Hour. This will bring together a diverse group of individuals, including industry experts, potential investors, and members of the Notre Dame community. This is an excellent opportunity for attendees to network, exchange ideas, and form valuable connections. Food and Drink: Catering will be provided by Frankies’ Tacos along with delicious beverages. We hope you can make it to both the pitches and happy hour, but please select only the programming you know you can attend! Once pitches begin, we will restrict access to avoid disruptions.  Secure your spot now by RSVPing here: https://lnkd.in/gzuQPwfC #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Networking #StartupLife

6 startup communities every founder should know about [part 2]👇🏻 Moving to the Bay Area, I started looking into the local startup communities to see which ones are worth checking out. They’re all about sparking innovation, offering mentorship, and connecting founders to the resources they need to succeed. Here’s the ultimate list of them: → On Deck Offering a "pay-what-you-want" model for 7 days of co-founder matching through 90 curated dates. Ideal for finding your perfect entrepreneurial partner. → Inception Studio For just $800, join a three-day experience packed with 20 co-founder dates and a demo day to showcase your ideas. → Startup Grind A global network that connects entrepreneurs through events, workshops, and conferences. It also offers mentorship from industry experts. → SHACK15 Membership is exclusive and requires a referral from an existing member. The annual fee is approximately $2,000, making it an accessible alternative to other elite clubs in the area. → Founder Village A community connecting founders and investors, offering networking events like "Founders Night." → Bay Area Founders Club Invitation-only community. It offers a network of over 4,000 members, including more than 120 startups and 80+ investors. Find 1st part here: https://lnkd.in/dKzBmF6Z Any thoughts on what to add in this list?

Reflecting on Our First Brick-and-Mortar Business. Over a year ago, my wife and I started an indoor children’s playground to serve a community in need. It was our first brick-and-mortar venture, and we learned so much—often through challenges but always with growth. We were incredibly blessed by the overwhelming support of our community, which made everything possible. There were many lessons learned throughout: 💡 Resilience through challenges. 🤝 The power of relationships with customers, employees, and the community. 📊 Staying grounded in financial clarity and planning. ⚡ Leading employees with care and trusts. 📚 Never stop learning! Now, as we prepare to pass the torch to new owners, we reflect on how this experience has shaped us. It’s humbling to see something we built continue to serve the community, and we’re excited for what new ventures lay ahead!! #Entrepreneurship #CommunitySupport #SmallBusiness

You hear from her every week but have you actually met our Startup Community Engagement Manager? She's breaking down the communities we support this week! And begins to answer this question: What does NEXT do? -Support broad entrepreneurial ecosystem – affectionately #StartupGVL -Identify, support, and engage with high-growth entrepreneurs and their teams (through programs, services, and events) -Measure the impact of entrepreneurial activity – act as a Fitbit for the ecosystem

I learned this lesson the hard way: Choose your market wisely. I had just sold my previous small business to move to Indianapolis and join an entrepreneurial fellowship (shoutout to the Orr Fellowship). On nights and weekends, I was already starting to work on my next startup with a talented co-founder. But we learned a harsh truth — timing and market size matter more in business than you might think. Even the best product can’t thrive in a tiny market. So be smart about where you invest your time. Aim right. Aim big. Don't make my mistake. — ➕ Follow me (Matt Hunckler) for more ♻️ Reshare to help your network avoid this mistake

Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Their innovative thinking, resilience, and willingness to take risks drive the development of solutions that can make a significant impact. Programs like the Red Bull Basement are essential in fostering this entrepreneurial spirit. They provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and receive mentorship, empowering them to turn their bold ideas into reality. By encouraging participants to “GO FOR IT,” these events inspire a new generation of problem-solvers who are ready to tackle large issues with creativity and determination. https://lnkd.in/gJFjbxwK

Did you know?.... 🚀 Latino-owned businesses in the US are booming! They've grown by 34% in the last decade, outpacing all others. (Source: Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative.) 💼 These businesses aren't just growing, they're creating jobs too! Around 3 million jobs have been generated by Latino entrepreneurs. Source: (U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.) 💸 Securing funding is still a challenge. Only about 2% of venture capital funding goes to Latino-owned startups. (Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business.) GOOD NEWS! We are bringing 2 events to serve our Seattle Latino founders community: 🔹1) Pitch Practice Night: Perfect your pitch, refine your presentation skills, and get valuable feedback from industry experts. 👉Sign up here: https://buff.ly/49fx2Tr 🔹2) Main event: our Pitch Competition! 🏆 Showcase your innovation and win a cash prize to fuel your entrepreneurial journey! 👉 Apply to pitch here: https://buff.ly/4a7zDjB 👉Buy tickets here: https://buff.ly/3xjLbS6 Your hosting organizations: Latino Pitch, Prospanica Seattle, University of Washington - Michael G. Foster School of Business-, Latinas in Tech - Seattle, and City University of Seattle

Check out their special announcement!

The upcoming Texas Venture Fest, Oct 3rd 2024, hosted by the Kerrville Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), promises an engaging and immersive experience for attendees. The event features a series of Focused Workshops designed to provide practical advice and foster knowledge-sharing among entrepreneurs. These interactive, small-group sessions will cover crucial topics such as 'Building a Scalable Startup in a Small Town,' led by Miles Murray, CEO of Locoal. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive actionable advice from experts who understand the unique dynamics of entrepreneurship. Another workshop, 'Accessing Funding and Resources in Texas,' will bring together a panel of financial experts and investors, including Howard Freeman, Ron Ondechek Jr, Chris Braaten, and Gregg Appel. Attendees can gain personalized insights on funding strategies and challenges through an interactive Q&A session. The final workshop, 'Creating a Strong Founder Network,' will emphasize the importance of networking and building meaningful connections. Successful founders and business leaders, including Elyssa Williams, David A McInnis, Bradley Flume, and Catie Campbell, MS, will share practical insights on cultivating a supportive, growth-oriented network. These workshops are designed to be interactive learning experiences, offering valuable takeaways that attendees can immediately apply to their businesses. By engaging directly with industry experts and peers, participants will gain insights that go beyond the surface, making these sessions a valuable addition to the Texas Venture Fest 2024. #TexasVentureFest2024 #EntrepreneurialSuccess #HandsOnLearning