Implementing Entrepreneurship Within the State

[Daniel Xavier]

Over the past month, Michael Hanna (on the network) and myself are working on a non-profit organization called Project Evolution. The project is determined to implement entrepreneurship within the state of Rhode Island, with a long term goal of decreasing the unemployment rate.

The project would consist of training young Rhode Island entrepreneurs about the basics of business and idea presentation. This includes, proper presentation techniques, business plan creation, pitching business ventures and ideas, as well as basic dress and proper etiquette.

Once the entrepreneurs are fully polished they will be connected with participating investors, where beyond that point, they will have opportunities for making theres business venture a reality.

In turn this will create more jobs and opportunities within the state leading to a more developing and flourishing Rhode Island economy.


So at this point, Michael and I are still in the research and developing phase, trying to get input and connections. This is not the final plan, things could change, again its still being developed. What are peoples opinions, comments, and anything else they wish to add? A network such as under30ceo, full of some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds in the country will be highly valued in regards to input.

[Matt Wilson]

Hey Dan this is really cool couple things come to mind-- one person I know on the network who does stuff like this with Rock for Hunger is Greg Rollett, I'm not sure much about the project, but I've heard they help people break the poverty cycle this way, teaching them the skills. Also SIFE at Bryant puts on a minority business plan seminar.

Someone you also may want to talk to is John Speck, Bob and I both know him, he does a lot of stuff at www.newcommons.com . I've heard him talk about stuff like this and he'd be into the idea.

Regarding the unemployment rate--Speck always talks about Rhode Island and it's self employment rate...so pick his brain on this. If you want me to send an introductory email, I will.

Good stuff man. Good stuff.

[Kevin Mandeville]

dan, this network would be incredibly helpful in your venture. i think it is a solid idea, and a very good way to educate in the public school system about business. i went to both a public and private high school, and i have to say that both lacked in the business education areas. granted, high school needs to teach the basics and lay the foundation, but it would be nice to have a general background in business, as that is what our country is run on. you will encounter business in whatever it is that you do. the only thing i see is a very long road for it to be implemented successfully. it's going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. also, i would be careful how you word and portray your venture. make sure that the children you are teaching are thinking globally, and not just local. obviously, you want to help the rhode island economy, and some will certainly meet success there, but most will have to go outside of the small confines of RI to find their success.

[Matt Wilson]

Here are some resources from the Kaufman Foundation that are on a nationwide scale here

[Matt Wilson]

http://ri-bizplan.com