Get ready to start your own business!

Join us for a free full-day event to learn about various opportunities for creating innovative companies and growing jobs.

FastTrac to the Future is a program created by the New Economy Initiative and the Kauffman Foundation to provide a jump-start down the road to entrepreneurship through mentoring, training and resources.

AGENDA

7:30 a.m. Registration, networking
8:30 a.m. Welcome
9:00 - 9:45 a.m. Keynote speaker Chris Gardner
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Session 1
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Session 2
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Session 3
1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Session 4
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Talk Show: Entrepreneurial War Stories
4:15 - 6:00 p.m. Networking, reception

Featured Speaker: Chris Gardner, owner and CEO, Gardner Rich LLC Conquering grave challenges to become a successful entrepreneur, Gardner is an avid motivational and inspirational speaker, addressing the keys to overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles. He is author of the New York Times #1 bestselling book The Pursuit of Happyness, which was turned into a critically acclaimed movie starring Will Smith.

Each participant will be able to attend four sessions and can choose from 12 topics.

• Topic 1: Intellectual Property Do's & Don'ts, plus an introduction to I-Bridge
• Topic 2: Facebook and Twitter and Blogs, Oh My! Profiting from Social Media
• Topic 3: Organization Expo--Introductions to SBTDC, FastTrac, TechTown, Ann Arbor SPARK, Urban Entrepreneur Partnership, and more
• Topic 4: Curbside Consulting--Got an idea for a new business? Come spend a few minutes with some startup experts.
• Topic 5: Money Tables--Bootstrapping, raising money, grants; roundtable discussion on funding your idea
• Topic 6: Pitch & Comment--A facilitated session where people with ideas pitch to the group and get constructive comments, feedback and maybe even team members!
• Topic 7: Anatomy of a Startup--The Tale of Diversity Dog
• Topic 8: What's Your Role in a Startup? Find your place.
• Topic 9: Clean Tech Energy--Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Topic 10: Medical Technology--Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Topic 11: Logistics--Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Topic 12: FastTrac Programs Overview

Who should attend: Anyone who thinks entrepreneurship might be right for them

REGISTRATION

Only 500 seats are available for this event, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Registration for the event is a two-step process. You must complete BOTH STEPS before you are eligible to attend the event.

1.) Please RSVP online to begin the registration process.
2.) After completing the RSVP, you will be directed to a page containing a link to the FastTrac website to complete a questionnaire about your business expertise and interests. Please follow the link and complete the questionnaire immediately.

You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration only after you have completed the questionnaire.