This Friday Business 20/20 Executive Breakfast panelist Dino Vendetti provides his insight on a few questions relating to “access to capital,” the topic of the inaugural breakfast. If you want to learn more about accessing capital—whether you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner—register for Business 20/20, September 9 at the Tower Theatre.
Vendetti is a managing partner of Formative Ventures, located in the Bay Area. He’s an experienced operating executive who has spent the majority of his career in marketing, business development, and engineering roles at start-ups. He primarily focuses on investing in early stage Web and mobile companies.
Q: How does one encourage investment in a “flyover” state?
The best way to encourage investment is to offer up compelling investment opportunities. A compelling investment opportunity starts with an entrepreneur who is focused on solving some real customer problem in an interesting way that results in a scalable business model. For its size, Bend is doing a lot to help entrepreneurs create and build interesting businesses that are worthy of outside investment. The Bend Venture Conference (BVC), the BVC investment group and the new accelerator program are all really positive efforts to help create interesting investment opportunities.
Q: Is there a role for the state and other nonprofits to play in helping create more access to capital?
Yes but probably more indirectly. To have a healthy start-up environment, we need an availability of entrepreneurs, technical talent and risk capital. States and nonprofits can contribute to this in a number of ways including making funds available to support incubator and accelerator programs that help young companies refine their business ideas.
Want to learn more about accessing capital? Then register at Kpbusiness2020.com, find more information on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
