BROCK BLAKE, CEO OF FUNDINGUNIVERSE, NAMED TO VSPRING CAPITAL’S V100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 25, 2008 --

American Fork, UT- Brock Blake, co-founder and CEO of FundingUniverse, has been named to the v100 for 2008. The v100, created by vSpring Capital in 2004, recognizes excellence in Utah entrepreneurs. The v100 are nominated and selected each year by their peers in the Utah business community. Entrepreneurs with the most votes become a part of the v100 community. Nominees to the v100 are entrepreneurs who are likely to lead or have an extensive role in IT or Biotech industries within the next 5-7 years, who are tied to the region, may have involvement in a current startup company and would be the CEO/CTO of a new venture.

A natural candidate for the honor, Blake works day in and day out to educate entrepreneurs and help them get the funding they need to finance their business ventures.

Although he is only 27 years old, Blake is no stranger to being an entrepreneur. “Back in college, Jeff {(friend and co-founding member of FundingUniverse)} and I started KnowMarketing,” said Blake. “It didn’t go anywhere but we got a lot of experience that prepared us for FundingUniverse.”

FundingUniverse matches business entrepreneurs with potential investors and helps entrepreneurs understand the importance of preparing yourself to raise investment capital, understanding what you want your business to be and where you want it go. The web site for FundingUniverse began its first round of development in April 2005 and Blake got on board in September 2005.

As the CEO for FundingUniverse, Blake understands the importance and hardships of financing your dreams, both emotionally and monetarily. “Entrepreneurs are a different breed of people,” said Blake. “You’re making sacrifices, your family is making sacrifices—you have to work hard, be persistent and be ambitious.”

Aside from FundingUniverse, Blake is also on the editorial board for Launch magazine, is a judge for the BYU business plan competition, is on the Utah Innovation Awards Committee and is on the advisory board for several startup companies in Utah.

Although Blake was also nominated to the v100 in 2006, he doesn’t take it lightly and knows that it means something. “Being nominated to the v100 is humbling honor,” said Blake. “It’s not just one person that makes up their mind and puts you on a list- it comes from the community.”

Blake believes that he is an entrepreneur at heart and that he would never want to do anything different. “I love the creative challenge,” said Blake. “There’s a sense of fulfillment in starting something from scratch and seeing the fruits of your labor.”

And he has advice for entrepreneurs who may be losing their entrepreneurial spirit. “There are a lot of ups and downs,” Blake said. “But it’s definitely worth the ride!”

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Brock Blake, please call Brock at 877.638.3616 or email Brock at brock@fundinguniverse.com.

Brock Blake     FundingUniverse     vSpring v100