Venture Group Puts Out Call for Competition Entries
Hispanic Chamber Wins Awards for Web Site, Program
SMALL BUSINESS
by Lee Zion, Staff Writer
Entrepreneurs looking for funding for their project can turn to an unusual source , the San Diego Venture Group’s third annual PitchFest.
The PitchFest, formerly known as the Business Plan Competition, offers entrepreneurs a chance to compete for a $10,000 cash prize. The application deadline is Sept. 17.
What makes the program unique is the three finalists will appear in a competition, pitching their plan to “investors” , more than 300 members of San Diego’s venture community. Audience members at the Oct. 30 event vote on who gets the start-up capital, said Mike Hurd, president of the San Diego Venture Group.
To be eligible, entrepreneurs must be San Diego-based and must not already have received any professional venture capital. The application requires interested companies to submit basic information such as proposed use of funds, annual sales and so forth, he said.
Last year, more than 70 hopefuls participated in PitchFest. To sign up, go to the SDVG Web site at (www.sdvg.org) or call their office at (619) 308-9423.
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Hispanic Chamber Lauded: The San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce won two awards this summer at the 23rd annual California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention.
The local Hispanic chamber won for Chamber Web site of the Year, and also for Large Chamber Program of the Year, said Robert Villarreal, executive director of the chamber.
The Web site was developed and launched in 1999 by Batiz.com, a member of the chamber.
Eddie Batiz, head of Batiz.com, said the award was gratifying.
“The Hispanic Chamber has supported Batiz.com since its inception in 1998, so we were ecstatic to learn that our site (won) awards and accolades. Working with the chamber is a pleasure not only because of their appreciation and implementation of technology, but also because they are such a great group of people,” he said.
The chamber also won for its “Diverse Emerging Vendor Outreach” program, which involves small businesses in the procurement process with the city of San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District. In 2001, the city allocated more than 2,100 contracts and purchase orders worth $17 million to 231 vendors participating in this program, Villarreal said.
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Strategic Alliances: The local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners is presenting a daylong seminar on how to improve business through strategic alliances.
Presented in conjunction with San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies, “Creating & Sustaining Strategic Alliances” will be held Sept. 21.
The course is intended to give all small businesses the same competitive edge corporate America has. The courses will provide a complete “tool kit” and cover the value of strategic alliances, structuring business partnerships, legalities, tax implications and more.
For more information on the seminar, visit the College of Extended Studies’ Web site at (www.neverstoplearning.net).
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In Brief: Krispy Kreme Donuts opened a new store in the Sports Arena area Sept. 3. It’s the third store in the San Diego area and the 19th in Southern California. The San Diego County Water Authority will hold a forum Oct. 17 to assist minority-owned small businesses in getting contracts with the water authority. For information, call (858) 522-6515 or go to (www.sdcwa.org).
Send tips for this column to
lzion@sdbj.com,
or call Zion at (858) 277-6359, Ext. 112. The deadline for the Sept. 23 issue is Sept. 13.
