The Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center was recently awarded $75,000 by The Dunham Fund to help local businesses. This award lets the FVEC help up to 10 additional businesses accelerate their growth and further establish themselves in the community in 2016.

Since its inception in 2010, the FVEC has provided instrumental help for small companies throughout the area. The center has helped local businesses retain nearly 400 jobs and create more than 150 jobs, as well as bringing in nearly $2 million in private equity. Organizers’ vision is to be an active partner in making the Fox Valley a fertile ground to give a strong foundation to companies that add value to the community.

“We are very excited to partner with the Dunham Fund and help strengthen the local economy,” said Austin Dempsey, FVEC board president and co-founder. “Together the Dunham Fund and the FVEC will impact the future of local entrepreneurs, creating sustainable local jobs in the process.”

On Dec. 3, 2015, the FVEC is hosting its Celebrate Success event, where people can come and meet successful entrepreneurs and discover how strategy, mentoring and hands-on execution are making a difference in the business community. For more information about the event and to register to attend, visit www.fvec.org.

About the Dunham Fund

The Dunham Fund works for positive change in Aurora and neighboring communities. Its goal as a philanthropic organization is to provide financial support to qualifying organizations that, like John Dunham and his family, are devoted to education, enterprise and community development.

About FVEC

The Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center 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.