The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC Announces New Session of Entrepreneur Training, Mentoring and Networking Program

FastTrac® TechVenture™ Program to Help Entrepreneurs Build Startups into Successful Ventures

HERNDON, Va., July 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC, a resource for technology-focused startups and entrepreneurs, has announced the upcoming Fall 2010 session of its successful FastTrac® TechVenture™ program.  The comprehensive business planning program, which NVTC began hosting in September 2009, provides participants with business insights, strategic guidance, professional networking opportunities, connections with leaders in the technology community and other resources to help build a technology startup.

Through a combination of guest speakers, mentors and participant collaboration, FastTrac® TechVenture™ helps entrepreneurs build their startups into successful ventures. Participants in the 10-week program will have exposure to successful entrepreneurs and technology leaders, experts on different topics relevant to building a business, and potential funding sources. After completing the program, entrepreneurs walk away with a detailed business plan and executive summary, as well as a strong understanding of how to finance a company.

"The NVTC FastTrac® TechVenture™ program is an invaluable experience for entrepreneurs starting or thinking about starting a new business venture," said Fall 2009 FastTrac® participant Steve Markmann of Counterpoint Consulting. "The opportunity to collaborate extensively with other entrepreneurs – both the students and the coaches – gave us the insight and feedback we needed to get our company on the right footing to take the market by storm!"

Created by Kansas City-based Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest private foundation focused on advancing entrepreneurship in America, FastTrac® has had nearly 300,000 entrepreneurs over the last 16 years participate in this certified program. The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC received its FastTrac® certification in April 2009.  

"In addition to helping entrepreneurs make tremendous progress in clarifying their business concept and making it to the next level, the program also integrates new entrepreneurs into the regional support environment," said FastTrac® coach Matt Koll of Replyz.com. "This factor is so important, since entrepreneurs thrive best as part of a community."

The fall session of the 10-week FastTrac® TechVenture™ program kicks off on September 14, with sessions running 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. every Tuesday. For consideration, applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on August 6.  For more information or to apply, visit http://www.nvtc.org/tec/fasttrac.php or contact Kristin D'Amore at [email protected] or (703) 904-7878, ext. 226.

About The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC

Created by the Northern Virginia Technology Council six years ago, The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC is a resource hub for technology-focused start-ups and entrepreneurs at every stage of their lifecycle. The Entrepreneur Center fosters entrepreneurship in students, mentors the first-time entrepreneur, advises and supports the experienced entrepreneur and facilitates strategic business relationships in the technology community.

About The Northern Virginia Technology Council

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the membership and trade association for the technology community in Northern Virginia. As the largest technology council in the nation, NVTC serves about 1,000 companies from all sectors of the technology industry, as well as service providers, universities, foreign embassies, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Through its member companies, NVTC represents about 200,000 employees in the region. NVTC is recognized as the nation's leader in providing its technology community with networking and educational events; specialized services and benefits; public policy advocacy; branding of its region as a major global technology center; initiatives in targeted business sectors and in the international, entrepreneurship, workforce and education arenas; the Equal Footing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that serves local area youth; and The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC which mentors new technology entrepreneurs. Visit NVTC at www.nvtc.org

SOURCE The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC