By: Deborah Johnson Wood
A record 600 entrepreneurs from the Great Lakes states will gather for the ninth Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship (ACE) at Washtenaw Community College on January 22. The event gives start-ups opportunities to meet potential investors, network with other entrepreneurs and learn from start-up-centric workshops.
“The biggest benefit of ACE is the networking,” says Gerry Roston, chair of the planning committee and owner of Pair of Docs Consulting. “Many entrepreneurs don’t know that people like CPAs and attorneys often know the investors. At this event you’ll meet those service providers. They can introduce you to the investor and that moves your idea to the top of their stack.”
Three workshops include Innovation in the Great Lakes Region, Globalization & Opportunity in the Region, and Building & Retaining Talent for Our Future.
New this year is the intercollegiate elevator pitch competition—attendees will learn the techniques of a good elevator pitch by seeing university pitch teams in action. Pitch teams represent several Great Lakes schools, including Grand Valley State University, University of Toledo and Wayne State.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. and features a presentation by Roger Newton, CEO of Esperion Therapeutics and a mini trade show with 20 entrepreneurial companies and organizations who provide support for start-ups.
“Just seeing you’re not the only one embarked on something crazy is helpful,” Roston says. “It helps to see you’re not alone and there’s a possibility of success. With 600 people in the room, you’re bound to meet somebody who can help you and your business. It’s fun and it’s a very positive atmosphere.”
Source: Gerry Roston, Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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