To most people the idea of being your own boss is highly alluring, but the significant risks that go along with not working for an established firm scare away many would-be entrepreneurs. This Tuesday, in honor of “National Entrepreneurship Week,” Governor Deval Patrick encouraged Massachusetts entrepreneurs to reach for their dreams at the ground breaking ceremony of the soon to be expanded Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC). (Image courtesy of: CIC)
“I welcome you and every other risk taker to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts because you are what makes the economy forward looking,” Patrick told the over 500 entrepreneurs that attended the event. “If you don’t recover, then we don’t recover,” he added.
According to Patrick, strong small businesses are what have given Massachusetts an edge against other states in this recession. Recent statistics show that over 85% of the state’s economy is supported by small businesses. Presently, the CIC is home to 175 of Massachusetts’ startups. The center’s expansion will increase this number to 375 upon completion in July.
Patrick made several key announcements during his visit. One of which was that the redesigned website for MassChallenge, a global startup competition centered in Massachusetts, is now live. According to the website, MassChallenge strives to “connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch and succeed immediately.” You can visit masschallenge.org/about-us for specific information about the organization’s purpose and what they can do for your small business.
Another notable announcement was the commencement of the 90-day StartHere campaign. As the name implies, the objective of this initiative is to encourage individuals to start their new businesses in Massachusetts by stressing the support networks and resources in place in the state. A key component o
f this campaign is the Open House Series, during which innovative Massachusetts’ companies will speak with potential entrepreneurs about their experiences in the Bay State. Furthermore, It’s All Here, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassChallenge, and the New England Venture Capital Association will be holding open office hours at the CIC for interested parties. (Image courtesy of: masschallenge.org)Patrick also revealed that The Massachusetts’ Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold its annual celebration of Young Entrepreneurs at the UMass Boston Venture Development Center on February 25th this year. Additionally, the CIC will launch its Entrepreneur Speaker Tour Series shortly, which will include speaking engagements at many Massachusetts’ state and community colleges.
Finally, Patrick unveiled a new “Venture Capitalist-backed” Google Map. Included in this virtual map, which can be found at: www.massitsallhere.com/starthere, are the locations of all the venture-backed companies in Massachusetts. The state hopes that this map will spread awareness about the number of successful startups in Massachusetts and provide a way for small businesses to network.
Sometimes all it takes to motivate someone to take on the risks and rewards of starting her own business is the encouragement of a single individual. In this case, Governor Deval Patrick, along with several Massachusetts’ businesses and organizations, have made it clear that they not only support entrepreneurs, but that they are asking them to step-up and do their part to assist in strengthening the economy of their state. In many ways Deval’s speech at the CIC’s ceremony was a call to arms to potential entrepreneurs across Massachusetts.
For more information visit: http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/business/x640762511/Gov-Patrick-visits-expanding-Cambridge-Innovation-Center
