Credit: Sura Nualpradid / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Veterans have served the country in countless ways. It is unfortunate that some have become unable to continue serving the country due to disability. Many have retired as heroes. It is out of gratitude and patriotism that the federal American government passed into law the Public Law 106-50 which mandated that all contracts and sub-contracts made on a federal and government level award three percent to service-disabled, veteran-owned companies and businesses. A service-disabled, veteran-owned small business must have a minimum of 51% ownership and control by a military veteran who was given a zero percent or higher disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Individual states have also joined this movement. Arkansas, California and Maryland have state-wide mandates where a minimum goal of 3% of state funding are spent on either veteran-owned businesses or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses or both.

With regard to private companies, almost 15 percent of Fortune 1000 companies have started to add veteran-owned businesses to their roster of suppliers and entrepreneurs. Currently, more than 150 of the large corporations of the nation and the world have listed veteran-owned businesses as part of their preferred suppliers.

On the individual level, more than 95% of Americans have a sense of gratitude for the service provided by veterans, 94% say that the gratitude they have will urge them to be more likely to Buy Veteran, and 75% of American consumers would rather buy from a veteran-owned business, according to a countrywide survey.

The Origins of Buy Veteran

Three million veteran-owned businesses are members of the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). NaVOBA is responsible for the national campaign that is Buy Veteran, which aims to bring its three million members closer to the government offices, private corporations and average American consumer.  This linkage is two-fold: the businesses are more accessible to the customers and the consumers have one point of contact when searching for a veteran-owned entrepreneurship that suits their needs. NaVOBA is also tirelessly working with states so that bills that create business opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs are passed into law.

Choose to Buy Veteran

Expressing gratitude for the service provided by veterans is the main driver behind patronizing veteran-owned business. It is quite different from donating to a veteran although that is appreciated as well. Entrepreneurs who are veterans can be seen as more trustworthy because they were trained with a solid code of ethics. Opting to Buy Veteran makes good business sense and it stimulates the American economy.

Joining Buy Veteran

For those with veteran-owned businesses, it is best to register your company with Buy Veteran so that discerning consumers find it easy to find your company when they perform a search for products and services. There is also a Buy Veteran badge that you can place all visible locations – the storefronts, letterhead, ads, delivery vehicles, and other promotional materials such as sponsorships. A clearly visible badge makes it easier for the consumer to choose to Buy Veteran. As an entrepreneur, the Buy Veteran database will also help you locate other veteran-owned businesses too. Being listed in the database opens your business to the wider, nationwide consumer base. This level of exposure brings your company new business, so you can recoup the cost of membership.

Kimberly is a researcher, writer, business woman, and contributor at entrepreneurweek.com blog network.  She may be reached at eweekcomauthor@gmail.com.

©2011 entrepreneurweek.com, all rights reserved

Interactive Symposium for North Carolina’s Startup Business Community

CONTACT: RACHAEL GLAWS

RGI EVENTS & PUBLIC RELATIONS         

TEW@RGIEVENTS.COM

202.719.8086

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 24, 2011: The Triangle, NC – The first of it’s kind inaugural event for the North Carolina business community, Triangle Entrepreneurship Week will take place November 14^th - 18^th, 2011, at various venues throughout the Triangle. The stacked agenda includes speakers such as Bob Young (Founder, Red Hat/Lulu), John Harthorne (Founder, MassChallenge) and Heather Hesketh (Founder, hesketh.com) among others. TEW aims to connect students, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to create opportunity, build relationships, and develop ideas in order to strengthen the local entrepreneurship culture.

“Triangle EW is such a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors to connect in a way that we have not seen in this area before. We look forward to showcasing what the Triangle has to offer and supporting the local community.” States Jon Leonardo, Founder of Triangle Entrepreneurship Week.

Triangle EW was conceived out of a desire to bolster the thriving business community in the area; a region that is nicknamed the “new silicon valley” (NewsWeek ’10) Designed for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, the multi-faceted symposium aims to answer pressing ‘real-world’ questions in an intimate setting from business whizzes who have paved the way; the goal being that attendees will walk away with applicable knowledge specific to their field.

Through a series of panel discussions, roundtables and forums designed to pair educational opportunities with interactive discussion, registrants will gain valuable knowledge and learn from each other and industry innovators to help navigate the course from start-up to empire. Attendees will also have the extraordinary opportunity personally pitch their business plans and receive advice, directive and possibly funding directly to Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors.

TEW will focus on various areas of industry and demographic groups such as Digital & Mobile Media, Women in Business, Food & Restaurant industry and ‘Eco Entrepreneurism’ just to name a few. Entrepreneurs will find a unique value through a wealth of content directly designed for each industry.

In addition to content-based events, attendees have the opportunity to network at social functions throughout the week so entrepreneurs can build the relationships to help their businesses succeed. For more information, to register and for schedule details please visit www.triangleew.org. Registrations are $15 per event, or $99 for a one-week pass.

This event is proudly supported by: NC State University, Poole College of Management Idea Hive, TriangleBlvd Media, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Bull City Forward and TTYLapp.com

By Marie Eaton
Have we been groomed to give as the holiday season approaches out of your heart or do we give for spiritual fulfillment or is it simply to impress our neighbors? Currently the unemployment rate is high, and many people are hurting in ways we could not even image. Our friends, families and strangers among us are hurting financially due to job lost, sickness or illness, and many cannot afford to provide for themselves nor their families.
However should we really be giving out of compassion to others even though we ourselves are going through situations and having our own problems? Is it time to be selfish because we have problems of our own and going through personal situations? After all we are experiencing unemployment, death in families, sickness in our bodies or our family bodies; children rebellious attitude or someone have a drug habit or etc…
Should we give to others and speak up for those as Jesus spoke to his disciples when he fed the multitude, although he had experienced a lost. Yes, I know we have heard the story over and over again, how Jesus fed the multitude. Yet, had you heard what Jesus had experience that day in the lost of his brother John the Baptism being beheaded in prison.
However, today at church, I just heard this story again of Jesus’ decision without selfishness in a matter of compassion for others. Again, I came home and read the story again, what decision Jesus made and what he was going through at the time.
The Spirit of Entrepreneurship thrives on helping others meet their needs
Wow!!This is again another experience of Jesus in which he is trying to teaching us today, in this story. Although things are falling apart in our world, we must give from our compassion, even when we are personally experiencing a lost. Whether that lost is financially, death, or even a job loss. Compassionate giving helps us to become more discerning of the needs of those around us. If we want to be entrepreneurs, we must learn to be discerning. Entrepreneurs must learn to discover, fulfill, and even anticipate the needs in the world around them, even as they endure their own issues. Jesus knew that the people needed a savior—this is part of what moved Him with compassion—the people were milling around “Like sheep with no shepherd”. In entrepreneur speak—this means looking to satisfy unmet needs and this of course means opportunity. Our giving or not giving may teach us a few things about who we are (or are not).
It made me realize for those who chooses or claim to want to walk in his presence or to be more like him, should we make these decision Jesus made or should we be like his disciples. The disciples were making a decision right there to send the people away to go get their own food. Was this unconscious selfishness, or were they trying to keep Jesus for themselves. After all he was the “in crowd” at that time in their eyes!!
Jesus the Savior and Spiritual Entrepreneur
However, Jesus responded, like the man of compassion that He was, with love for everyone….and like a spiritual entrepreneur—He saw beyond their circumstance—no food and no means of acquiring any food; but He made a provision—adequate food. READ: Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying , is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart, give ye them to eat.
What struck me to speak on this matter is that today people exist out of their own agenda, and selfishness based on the class of people with whom they want to associate and decide to help. However, as I endure these types of people, I realize their unconscious decision may be out of selfishness as the disciples, yet may need someone to open their spiritual eyes.
Can you give to others, although you are personally going through things, so that others can learn from you how wonderful it is to give out of compassion? I am challenging others to give out of compassion to others, to set another plate at the table; buy a extra toy at the store; or if possible pay someone’s light bill. Don’t send them away knowing they have a need, their children or for their families and you are able to provide their need. Can we avoid that extra curriculum activity such as taking our children to the movies; eating out; playing golf etc…. Are we able to invite or give to just one more person who is unable to do this for their own family now??
If you know someone who needs anything, I ask as a stranger in GOD presence, Bless them!!
Bless them out of compassion….And one day they will bless someone else with that same compassion!! Who knows it may be a stranger helping your family member one day or yourself!! And, my friend, if you don’t understand it doesn’t always have to be a monetary contribution!!
It is time to walk upright with GOD among our fellow men, women, and strangers to give a helping hand!!! Be as Jesus, don’t let your brother, sister, or neighbor depart, show some compassion—you might just give birth to an entrepreneurial idea.
Just ME (Marie Eaton)
Marie is a researcher, writer, business woman, and contributor at entrepreneurweek.com blog network. She may be reached at eweekcomauthor@gmail.com.

©2011 entrepreneurweek.com, all rights reserved

Credit: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Just like any groundbreaking industry, the past of biotechnology has been marred with unrealistic expectations. Although each of the recent biotechnology startups seems to be an improvement from their past counterparts, these companies still appear to lean towards the tendency to overvalue their revenue projections and undervalue the breakeven time. They appear as if their need for capital is more than expected, and that even an experienced management team will not prevent them from running into unexpected challenges.

Although it may be beyond reason to anticipate future startups to be wiser and better at foreseeing challenges than past startups, it is to every entrepreneur’s benefit to be more conventional in their monetary projections and capital market estimations.

With the increasing regulations in healthcare, biotechnology entrepreneurs, who are planning to launch their startup companies, should be ready to launch their product in a market, which is more sensitive to prices.

As the industry gain more experience in developing new drugs, predicting how well new drugs will perform in the market should be easier than it was in the past. However, it is also important to note that since there are many similar drugs in the market, drug companies have to go through longer, larger and more financially draining trials in order to prove the drug’s edge over existing diagnostic or treatment process. It is still hard to determine whether continuous innovation will play a part in developing efficiency. Over the last two decades, costs associated with developing new drugs have increased steadily.

Biotechnology entrepreneurs might have to change the rules in order to achieve efficiency in the way they get new drugs to market, and ultimately contain cost. There are several ways to accomplish this, and these are through Pharmacogenomics, repositioning and reformation of existing product and product incubation.

Taking Advantage of Pharmacogenomics

A person’s response to a particular drug is a complex trait reliant on many different genes. Pharmacogenomics refers to the study of the inherited variations in genes that determine the person’s reaction or response to drugs and how the variations can be used in forecasting a person’s response to the drugs, whether good, bad or neutral.

Currently, there is an ongoing race to catalog as much genetic variations located within a human genome as possible. These variations are referred to as SNPs or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, which can be used as a tool to predict an individual’s drug reaction

Biotechnology entrepreneurs representing companies, which engage in drug development and testing, such as pharmaceutical companies, can reap immense benefit from SNP screenings. They can use Pharmacogenomics as a tool in selecting patients who are more likely to respond positively to treatments. By doing so, the number of patients needed to participate in clinical trials will be greatly reduced, which in effect can decrease the costs and time associated with clinical trials. Consumers will end up benefitting from this through reduction in the cost of drug. Instead of the usual method of trial and error used in matching the right drugs with patients, companies will be able to analyze patient’s genetic make-up and give the best drug therapy from the beginning.

Not only that, but by excluding people whose pharmagenomic screening shows that the drug being tested has negative or no effect to them, companies are likely to highlight the drug’s usefulness to a particular group of patients, which consequently increases the drug’s chance to make it to the marketplace.

By being able to forecast a person’s reaction to a drug before prescription, doctors will be more confident in prescribing the drugs and patients will be more confident in taking them. Because of this, emergence of companies wanting to develop new drugs tested in the like manner is likely to see a surge.

Repositioning and Reformulation of Existing Product

More and more biotechnology companies are discovering the advantages of product repositioning over drug discovery. There is an emerging trend on companies giving up on the freshness and innovation of discovering new drugs to pursue a more cost and time efficient commercialization of old drugs using new methods. Companies are letting go of their discovery-based model and are adopting new business models to cut time and cost. A great example of companies employing alternative business models are biotech companies who are having their partially or fully developed drugs licensed for a completely new market, indication and formulation. Some companies are gearing towards reformulation, wherein they are making their generic drugs significantly better by reformulating them. Other companies venture into creating combination products for new or known indications by combining two or more co-formulated drugs.

There is usually more knowledge and better understanding associated with old drugs, making product repositioning and reformulation a viable alternative to new drug discovery, since they involve low cost and risk. The repositioned drug may have to use the patents for methods of use to discourage generic competition. As the cost of developing new drug continues to grow, this trade-off is worth considering.

On the other hand, it is possible that there will come a time when there will no longer be an availability of drug candidates in late stages of development, and companies who are pursuing the repositioning strategy may eventually have to go back to discovering new drugs or to start considering paying others to do it for them.

Product Incubation

The increasing demand for late-stage drug candidates is opening up opportunities for academic research companies. These companies are sticking with the discovery-based model to discover drugs and bring them to late-stage. Their goal will be to take advantage of the funds available, whether philanthropic, public, or corporate, to come up with drug candidates that are validated clinically and have an existing market to license them.

Entrepreneurship in the biotechnology industry is still without a doubt, a cutting edge. Today, it is easy for companies to lose sight of profits due to the need to develop new technology, raise capital or secure partner. A successful biotechnology entrepreneur should know that these are not ends by themselves.

Kimberly is an internet researcher, writer, and contributor at entrepreneurweek.com blog network.  He may be reached at eweekcomauthor@gmail.com.

©2011 entrepreneurweek.com, all rights reserved

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