Join the Business Alliance and grow your business
Where can you find quality networking and stay abreast of the latest research at Mason and best practices in the business community at the same time? The Business Alliance of George Mason University (Business Alliance) provides a forum for business leaders, faculty and students tocollaborate, network, and exchange ideas. Founded in 1988, the Business Alliance of George Mason University is a nonprofit 501c(3) membership organization and the Washington, DC area's premier business-university partnership. The Business Alliance hosts a variety of educational/investment forums, networking events, business education and volunteer activities all of which are designed to help participants become more successful through the exchange of ideas and information—preparing present and future leaders to overcome the marketplace's challenges and become more successful in their business ventures.
On January 24th, the Business Alliance will host a US-China Business Venture Forum. Participants will have ample networking opportunities to meet directly with American business leaders, investment and government officials and their counterparts from China. Case studies regarding successful joint ventures and hands-on practical advice for developing a strategy doing business in China and/or with Chinese firms will be shared. Participating organizations include the Chinese Government's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA), and George Mason University.
The Business Alliance will present its fourth annual Bootcamp for Growing Companies and Entrepreneurs on February 22nd. This full day program geared toward providing managers of early stage and mid-market firms, and those who advise these companies, first-hand knowledge and insight on best practices for finding funding sources, managing growth, staying abreast of market opportunities, and handling the challenges of competition, financing, technology infrastructure, and personnel. Amit Yoran, CEO, Netwitness, former Director of DHS's National Cyber Security Division, CEO and Advisor to In-Q-Tel, and cofounder and CEO of Riptech (acquired by Symantec in 2002 for $145M), will share his perspectives as an entrepreneur, investor, and market visionary during the program’s Kickoff Breakfast. He will be joined throughout the day by a anumber of other CEO’s and market leaders who have a wealth of expertise to share with young and growing companies.
Also in February, is the first of a new casual networking series designed to provide local business leaders the opportunity to network and to learn from each other and from experts at George Mason University. Each SmartConnect mixer will spotlight a different academic unit, program or expertise and will be held in conjunction with an invitation only CEO’s Roundtable. The February 5th program spotlights the School of Management.
On March 23rd, the Business Alliance will hold its Grubstake Breakfast. This networking and investment forum is held three times each year and features presentations by selected companies seeking $250,000 to $2 million in investment capital, as well as market insight and feedback to these companies from a panel of investors. The Business Alliance also provides feedback to companies not selected to present regarding their application and business plan. The selection and coaching is performed by a committee comprised of Business Alliance members and University partners, who volunteer their time and expertise to the program. School of Management Honors Lab MBA students have the opportunity to learn through shadowing Business Alliance members involved with the Grubstake Breakfast process. During the selection process, preference is given to VA/MD/DC area technology companies with proprietary products or services. Retail firms and professional service companies rarely are considered. The deadline to apply to present at the March 23rd Breakfast is February 15th.
In addition to their role with events such as the US-China Business Venture Forum, the Bootcamp and Grubstake Breakfast programs, Business Alliance members volunteer their time on campus as guest lecturers, advisory board members, mock interviewer—not only in classes related to management and entrepreneurship, but also on a wide variety of other topics taught at the university.
To join or attend a Business Alliance program:
http://www.businessalliance.org
Article submitted by Judy Costello, Executive Director, Business Alliance of George Mason University