Oakland County Venture Forward

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Oakland County Business Center Venture Forward Series is a 10 week strategic planning series targeted at existing late first stage or early second stage small businesses. The objective of the program is to ensure that the targeted group is provided with life long tools to help them diversify their client base, expand and thrive. The premier program started in fall 2007 when the Oakland County Business Center Director decided it was time to provide such a program to assist Oakland County businesses. Various County Departments including the Business Center, Business Finance Corporation, Purchasing and One Stop Shop, the Michigan Small Business &Technology Development Center, and Service Corps of Retired Executives pooled their resources during the formation of the program. The Oakland County Business Center Venture Forward Series has served as a resource in linking small business owners with small business resources available throughout Oakland County. These resources include GIS Mapping Services, Business Analyst Tools, Secondary market research data and various grants. The series was initially offered in fall 2007, twice a year in 2009 and three times a year starting in 2010. The program has gained publicity with media exposure from featured successful companies that have participated in the program.