Ozzie Smith to do Back-Flips for Entrepreneurs at St. Louis University January 29, 2005

Ozzie Smith will be the Keynote Speaker at an Event on January 29, 2005, with the goal of expanding the pool of Technology and Life Sciences entrepreneurs in the St. Louis region. Hosted by the St. Louis Virtual Incubator, the seminar itself will educate would-be entrepreneurs on "How to Jump-start a New Idea, Company or Invention"

(PRWEB) January 4, 2005 -- The nation knows Ozzie Smith as professional baseball's Wizard of Oz. In the St. Louis region he's also known as a business owner who encourages other potential or would-be entrepreneurs to follow their life's dream of owning a business. As such, Ozzie will be the keynote speaker at an event on January 29, 2005, designed to stimulate interest in the entrepreneur profession. Ozzie's keynote is entitled 'There is no Wizard in Oz--or Starting and Running a Company'.

According to Ozzie "The event's goal of expanding the pool of entrepreneurs in the region helps to increase the economic opportunities and options for everyone in the area." The St. Louis Virtual Incubator is hosting the Seminar to educate potential entrepreneurs on 'How to Jump-start a New Tech/Bio Idea, Company or Invention' from conception to a fully functioning company.

The event will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2005 from 8AM-Noon at the St. Louis University John Cook School of Business. The SLU Business School is located at 3674 Lindell Avenue, St. Louis, MO USA 63108. Networking and sign-in starts at 8AM. Pre-registrations are being taken at www.startupimpact.org or by calling 314.484.4860

"With Mr. Smiths entrepreneurial background and ability to inspire people, hes an excellent fit for the keynote speaker slot. Then well take it from there" says Event Co-chair Dr. John Houghton, a Founder and Managing Director of St. Louis Capital, LLC. Immediately after The Keynote, technology and life sciences entrepreneurs will be discussing the following topics critical to the Tech/Bio economic development cluster:
- Is your idea or invention marketable? (aka: Will the believers buy my lemonade?)
- 45 steps in 45 days to jumpstart your idea or invention
- Business Planning, your Way to Success
- Funding (aka: Where do I get the cash to start this thing?)
- Matching research center and university technology with entrepreneurs (aka: What if I don't have an idea or invention?)

There will also be a moderated panel discussion on local resources to support a start-up business along with Q&A. Additional information on a truly impressive line-up of speakers will be published as the event nears.

Current event participants/sponsors are: The Entrepreneurship Program of St. Louis University, Levine Law, OffiStart Business Centers, Prolog Ventures, SCORE/SBA, St. Louis Capital, The Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC), Southern Illinois University (SIU) Medical School and Impact Business Developers. Sponsorships are available for an additional fee to benefit the St. Louis Virtual Incubator operating fund.

About the St. Louis Virtual Incubator
The St. Louis Virtual Incubator (STLVI)is a six-month business coaching and mentoring program set-up specifically for early stage companies in the Information Technology, biotech and business-to-business industrial sectors.

Business statistics prove that those early stage companies who enter an incubator have a dramatically higher chance of success. The STLVI is an affordable, flexible and value-packed program designed to optimize the result of a companys first six months of operation creating a solid foundation for future business success.

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