Salem, Ore. – Entrepreneurs within Salem’s growing startup business community, including its expanding creative design, technology, and food and beverage sectors, are benefitting from new startup business assistance programming made available through the City of Salem’s partnership with Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and Launch Mid-Valley. This programming provides expertise and various resources entrepreneurs can use to help them be successful including mentoring, networking events, and soon will include startup challenge events and connections to investment opportunities.
Mentoring. The Mid-Valley’s new Venture Catalyst, Mike White, is mentoring local entrepreneurs in Salem and connecting them to people, programs, capital resources, and events.
Networking Events. Local small businesses and startups will have the opportunity to meet Mike, network with other entrepreneurs, and engage with a panel of speakers at Salem’s regular PubTalk events. The next PubTalk is Oct. 23, at 6:00 p.m., at Vagabond Brewing. More information about PubTalks and event registration is available online.
“OEN PubTalks provide excellent opportunities for us to learn from the experts and network with our Oregon peers. Whether the topic is funding, marketing, or retail strategies, the focus is always relevant to us as entrepreneurs since we tend to wear all the hats in our small business! We’re seriously thrilled that the new venture catalyst Mike White is bringing more OEN events like PubTalks to Salem — having them closer to home means we will be able to learn more, connect more, and grow more.” – Matt Kuerbis and Catharine Sutherland, Co-Owners of Hoss Soss.
Startup Challenges and Investment Opportunities. Our local Venture Catalyst is also working with partners to establish the Mid-Valley Angel Investment Fund, recruit angel investors, and soon kickoff a regular startup business challenge event.
Online Training. Online training is also available for Salem small businesses and startups. The Virtual Incubation Program (VIP), an online course that covers key entrepreneurship concepts and helps you prepare your business for growth.
More information regarding Salem’s economic development programs and business resources is available online.
