Gulf Coast Venture Forum President Speaks at Sarasota County EDC Breakfast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 15, 2010 -- The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is pleased to announce that Tim Cartwright, President of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum (GCVF) of Southwest Florida, was the honored guest speaker for the Economic Development Corporation - Sarasota County (EDC). The Investor Update Breakfast was held on Wednesday, February 10 at Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota and was sponsored by Suffolk Construction.

The title of speech "The Marketplace of Innovation and Idea"’ addressed innovation, raising capital for start-ups and much more. The Sarasota EDC holds these special breakfast meetings monthly and invites prestigious presenters to share relevant information to better prepare area businesses for success. Last year the GCVF with assistance from the EDC launched a new GCVF Chapter in Sarasota to encourage and invest in innovation.

“It was an honor to speak at the Sarasota EDC breakfast meeting on the same day they announced the addition of 400 jobs to their local economy. Economic diversification is not just a catchy phrase; it must become an imperative for the Southwest Florida region. Everyday, we must challenge ourselves recognize the great potential of our region and push ourselves to embrace innovation. Who doesn't want 400 jobs in their local economy? I congratulate the EDC of Sarasota County on making it happen,” said Cartwright.

The presentation by Cartwright, managing director of Fifth Avenue Advisors and president of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum, discussed the challenges of raising capital for startups and small business, a process he says can leave business operators both frustrated and discouraged by the amount of time it takes, the rejections they endure, and the lack of linearity over the course of the fundraising process. Cartwright also defined the capital continuum, discussed the basic principles of a successful capital raising efforts and described the capital formation infrastructure in southwest Florida.

“A talented and focused entrepreneur can succeed at some level in almost any region, but taking lessons from Silicon Valley, he or she is more likely, and the region with them, to prosper in a region that has access to seed and early stage capital. It is great to have a partner like the EDC recognize the importance of an Innovation Economy as part of a long-term commitment to develop a sustainable and diverse regional economy. The EDC's vision is our vision. We know that working together can have a positive impact on our region as a whole,” said Cartwright.

For more information about the Sarasota EDC, visit www.edcsarasotacounty.com and for information about the GCVF, please visit www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300.

economy     guest speaker     gulf coast venture forum     tim cartwright