Entrepreneurial climate in West Michigan

Business experts from Grand Valley State University will give a report on the entrepreneurial climate in West Michigan, at an “Empowering Entrepreneurship” event, June 24, at the university’s new L. William Seidman Center in Grand Rapids.

Paul Isely, professor of economics; Sri Sundaram, professor of finance; and J. Kevin McCurren, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Grand Valley, will talk about the entrepreneurial culture, sources of capital, talent and business climate in West Michigan.

The keynote speaker is Michael G. Goldsby, the Stoops Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and executive director of the Entrepreneurship Center in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. He will discuss “Successful Entrepreneurs: Artists, Scientists, Builders & Evangelists.” Goldsby is the co-author of Innovation Acceleration. His research has been reported by national media outlets including MSNBC, CNN, and the Associated Press. His current research interests focus on opportunity recognition and development, design, innovation and applied creativity.

FULL SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Registration
8 a.m. Opening remarks by Mike Jandernoa, founder of Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring and former CEO of Perrigo Company
8:25 a.m. Keynote by Michael Goldsby
9:25 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. The Climate of Entrepreneurship in West Michigan Study with Isely, Sundaram and McCurren
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Breakout sessions
Noon: Lunch and closing remarks

Pre-registration is required for the event at http://empoweringent.eventbrite.com. Admission is free and breakfast and lunch are included.

For more information, contact Grand Valley’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at (616) 331-7582.