Following a six-month planning process which included considerable research and input from the San Joaquin Partnership, local government officials and staff, economic development professionals, educators, and citizens, AngelouEconomics (AE) presented the San Joaquin Partnership with an updated Strategic Plan for economic development in San Joaquin County. Entrepreneurship is one of the Strategic Plan’s eight goal areas. Whereas entrepreneurship goes beyond funding issues, the Strategic Plan included a recommendation to “Expand Funding Availability in the County relating to Angel Investors and Venture Capital.”
A critical aspect of building sustainable economic competitiveness is building a strong financial network that will encourage entrepreneurs to create new businesses. The stimulation of entrepreneurship through the formation and development of new commercial businesses and social enterprises can play a key role in San Joaquin County’s future. Entrepreneurs are economic engines of the community. They are employers, people who mobilize economic resources and stimulate further economic activity because of their efforts, and serve as stabilizing factors in a community. Entrepreneurs provide several major benefits by:
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As a result of this Strategic Plan, a committee was established and went to work! The committee included a diverse representation of business, government, and educational leaders from throughout San Joaquin County.
The committee planned and presented the first annual San Joaquin Venture Forum and Entrepreneurship Conference in June, 2007. During and following the conference, considerable interest was expressed in an Angel network for San Joaquin County, leading to the development of San Joaquin Angels which held its inaugural event, February, 2008.
A critical aspect of building sustainable economic competitiveness is building a strong financial network that will encourage entrepreneurs to create new businesses. The stimulation of entrepreneurship through the formation and development of new commercial businesses and social enterprises can play a key role in San Joaquin County’s future. Entrepreneurs are economic engines of the community. They are employers, people who mobilize economic resources and stimulate further economic activity because of their efforts, and serve as stabilizing factors in a community. Entrepreneurs provide several major benefits by:
- Creating jobs at relatively low capital cost, especially in the fast growing service sector.
- Serving as a source of innovation in products, services, and techniques.
- Providing a productive outlet for the energies of enterprising and energetic people.
- Developing a pool of skilled workers who serve as the basis of industrial expansion.
- Contributing to the increased participation of all communities in the economic activities of a region.
- Serving an important social function by creating new career opportunities, fast upward social mobility,
and in many instances, preserving a set of community values.
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As a result of this Strategic Plan, a committee was established and went to work! The committee included a diverse representation of business, government, and educational leaders from throughout San Joaquin County.
The committee planned and presented the first annual San Joaquin Venture Forum and Entrepreneurship Conference in June, 2007. During and following the conference, considerable interest was expressed in an Angel network for San Joaquin County, leading to the development of San Joaquin Angels which held its inaugural event, February, 2008.