NCET

The Associated Press reports that venture capitalists invested $25.5 billion in 2006, marking the industry’s biggest burst of dealmaking since the dot-com bust clogged the financial spigot for entrepreneurs five years ago.

A renewed interest in Internet startups, combined with expanding opportunities in the health care and alternative energy markets, spurred a 12 percent increase from the $22.8 billion invested in 2005, according to figures jointly released Tuesday by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Thomson Financial and the National Venture Capital Association.

Last year’s activity, spread across 3,416 deals, generated the highest level of investment since venture capitalists forked out $40.7 billion in 2001, the end of a manic era driven by a lemming-like pursuit of dot-com riches.

Read entire story here.

Technorati tags: Associated Press, venture capital, venture capitalists

The deadline is rapidly approaching for Nevada’s college and university students to submit their Intents to Enter this year’s 2007 Donald W.
Reynolds Collegiate Business Plan Competition.

You can find the Intent to Compete Forms at http://nevada.dwrgovernorscup.org/intent.aspx

So, if you have a child in college, or know a college student, please encourage them to get involved in this year’s competition. It’s a chance to hone their business skills and a chance to win a share of $100,000 in cash prizes.

You can find more information the competition at www.2007govcup.com.

The competition is open to all Nevada college and university students, with graduate and undergraduate business plans judged and awarded separately. All majors are invited to enter, and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. The competition is open to individuals and teams of up to six students.

New this year is the Lieutenant Governor’s Award, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development’s award for the business plan that best employs clean, renewable or efficient energy technologies and services. The Nevada Commission on Economic Development has provided significant seed money for this award, and NCET is seeking donors to increase the cash portion of the award.

While the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation provides significant funding for this important program, NCET needs your support as well. Sponsorships are available ranging from $1,500 to $25,000. Please contact Dave Archer at (775) 315-7635 or Dave@NCET.org for more details.

For competition information, or for ticket or table sales, please contact Emily Lowe at (775) 337-3328 or Emily@NCET.org.

For more information, please visit www.2007govcup.com.

In Business Las Vegas‘ Stephanie Taveras follows Jenna Doughton as she creates a home-based personal shopping business: 

A year ago Jenna Doughton wanted to shake up her life. She had a satisfying job as a personal shopper at a major retailer and a tight circle of supportive friends. But as her 30th birthday came and went, she knew she wanted more. She wanted her own business.

“I kind of sat down and re-evaluated my life,” she said. “I wanted to have more free time. I got my real estate license and was going to do that, but my heart wasn’t really in it. I just wanted to be in control of my own existence. I was thinking of all the things I could do and what would make me happy.”

(Photo: Jenna Doughton and Jerry Bartholomay at SCORE’s offices)

Read the entire story here.

Technorati tags: : In Business Las Vegas, Jenna Doughton, Las Vegas, Nevada, SCORE, entrepreneurs