Start-ups with a great idea, established businesses looking to expand or companies that may be experiencing some challenges are all encouraged to partner with the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center. Every quarter, applicants are invited to pitch their business and ideas to the FVEC Board. The FVEC is a non-profit that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs throughout the Fox Valley, at no cost to the business owner.

They are able to do this through grants and the generosity of their sponsors. One such grant comes from the Dunham Fund. Late last year, the Dunham Fund awarded the FVEC with $75,000 to assist local businesses. With this money alone, the FVEC can help at least 10 companies accelerate their growth and strengthen the local economy.

“Now is a great time to apply to the FVEC,” says Mike Algrim, vice president of the FVEC. “Our pipeline is filling up with some creative, wonderful businesses. In fact, we’re adding to our Pitch Night calendar. Usually Pitch Nights are held every quarter, with our first one in February. Demand is so high, we’ve added a March date, as well.”

Pitch Night is when organizations have the opportunity to tell the FVEC Board about their enterprise and explain why they want to partner with the FVEC. “I love hearing the stories,” says Austin Dempsey, board president and co-founder. “Hearing what people are passionate about, their reasons for doing what they do. One of the best things about what we do is helping people achieve their dreams, which in turn, benefits our local community in the greatest ways possible.”

Anyone interested in learning more or applying to the FVEC should visit their website at www.fvec.org, or email Mike Algrim at mike@fvec.org.

About the FVEC

The Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center (FVEC) began in 2010 as a collaboration between several local entrepreneurs and supporting organizations. The mission of the FVEC is to provide critical support to companies to help them create jobs, expand their business and grow revenue. Further, they foster an environment in which businesses strive for excellence and where innovation is nourished. This is accomplished through training and advising the business owner, providing strategic introductions and engaging in strategic/growth planning across all areas of a business. As a non-profit, the center supports these programs through private donations and grants. To learn more about the FVEC, visit their website at www.fvec.org.