Press Release
Contact: Robert Albright |
Phone: 919-549-7500 ext.123 |
CED Enhances FastTrac Tech Course
with Updated Curriculum, Condensed Timeline
Augmented CED Programs Reflect Positive Economic Trends
December 17, 2003, Research Triangle Park, NC - The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) is reporting positive trends in the area's high-growth innovation economy. As a result, CED will continue to offer updated programs in 2004 - including a new 10-week FastTrac Tech course - that capitalize on this growing entrepreneurial energy.
On Feb. 12, 2004, CED will kick-off a new FastTrac Tech course with an enhanced curriculum and condensed time format. FastTrac Tech is a training program for entrepreneurs starting or growing high-tech businesses, including technology transfers and corporate licensees. Instead of two separate 4- and 8- week courses (as offered in 2003), FastTrac Tech will now serve as a 10-week program using a successful combination of lectures, discussions and interactive workshop groups.
CED President Monica Doss said the FastTrac Tech course program will address key issues for high-growth companies, such as sources of funding and intellectual property protection.
"We're really thrilled with the updates to FastTrac Tech, including new instructors who will offer unique perspectives on the latest business paradigms," said Doss. "These FastTrac Tech instructors will have experience weathering this particular economic storm, and they will also know how to operate in today's more challenging environment for startups."
Topics covered during the 10-week FastTrac Tech course will include the following:
- Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Reality
- Building the Entrepreneurial Management Team
- Intro to Financial Model and Alternative Sources of Funding (revenues, grants, equity)
- Investor Mindset (strategic, angel, VC) and Deal Structures (term sheets, partnerships)
- IP Protection and Financial Information - Part 2 of Working on Financial Model
- Managing Growth, Cash Management, and Burn Rate
The FastTrac Tech course is part of CED's comprehensive Capital Connection mentoring programs, which assist entrepreneurs at various stages, from idea to initial funding, by providing mentors and instruction. To apply for FastTrac Tech, interested participants can visit Capital Connection online at https://secure.cednc.org/programs/capital_connection/application.htmls. The upcoming application deadlines for Capital Connection are Dec. 31 and Jan. 31. FastTrac Tech meets weekly from 5:30-9:00 p.m. starting Feb. 12.
In addition to FastTrac Tech, Doss said CED had been working to update other programs over the past six months, as well.
"We are noticing some real positive movement in the regional entrepreneurial sector right now," said Doss. "We saw a 30 percent increase in attendance at our InfoTech 2003 conference and at our restructured industry forums this fall, and we are watching positive economic indicators such as the recent Manpower study on hiring trends in the area. In response to this growing energy, we will continue making innovative enhancements to our programs."
Doss said CED's newest offering, Engage, is an example of a program that will address key changes in the entrepreneurial environment. The first in this series of programs for the entire innovation community is Engage: Finance, which will highlight the dynamic financial landscape with comments from leading panelists and keynote speaker Ken Wilcox of Silicon Valley Bank. The event will be held Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cary Embassy Suites. Visit www.cednc.org/engage for the Engage: Finance program lineup and registration details.
About CED: The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, located in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle region. CED provides education, mentoring and capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurs through annual conferences, seminars, workshops and monthly programs on entrepreneurial management and finance. CED is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 4,000 members representing 1,100 entrepreneurial companies, financiers and professional firms. www.cednc.org
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