- Each workshop will begin with a panel discussion of local “experts” who will talk about the reality of engaging in and supporting rural small business on the front lines.
- Next, researchers and local “experts” will engage in small group visioning sessions to explore future collaborations, between Vermont and other states (and countries).
- The workshop will wrap up with a large group sharing of learning and plans from the small groups, and development action items and opportunities for future collaboration.
Community-integrated Workshops
Over the three days of the conference, three 90-minute “community-integrated” workshops are planned that provide opportunities for university researchers and teachers to meet with folks who engage in, provide support to, and influence policy for entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business in Vermont, with the goal of co-creation, mutual learning, and community building.
Workshop 1 | Sustainable Economic and Social Infrastructure
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 1 on developing “sustainable economic and social infrastructure” through partnerships of local communities, financial capital providers, and local high-tech and main street businesses is a collaboration of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Vermont Technology Alliance, Vermont Futures Project, the Flexible Capital Fund, RuralWorks, plus the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies and Community Development & Applied Economics Department.
Kevin Chu Executive Director Vermont Futures Project |
Michael Moser Center for Rural Studies University of Vermont |
|||
Janice St. Onge President Flexible Capital Fund L3C |
Louisa Schibli Chief Engagement Officer RuralWorks Partners LLC |
|||
Jeff Couture Executive Director Vermont Technology Alliance |
Jenna Koloski Community Engagement and Policy Director Vermont Council on Rural Development |
Workshop 2 | Diversity, Inclusivity, and Small Business
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 2 on “diversity, inclusivity, and small business” is a collaboration of Burlington VT’s Business and Workforce Development office, the Vermont Small Business Development Center the Center for Women & Enterprise, Mercy Connections, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and the Vermont Professionals of Color Network. This workshop will engage representatives of small business development programs, such as the Vermont Women's Business Center and the Community Navigator Pilot Program, to share lessons learned and visioning improved support for underserved and diverse businesses.
Johanna Schneider Business and Workforce Development Office City of Burlington VT |
Linda Rossi State Director Vermont Small Business Development Center |
|||
|
Gwen Pokalo VP of Policy & Practice and Director Vermont Women’s Business Center Center for Women & Enterprise |
Claire Wheeler Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship Mercy Connections |
||
Weiwei Wang Executive Director Community and Policy | Co-Founder Vermont Professionals of Color Network |
Ruchi Nadkarni |
Workshop 3 | Entrepreneurial Hubs & Platforms
Photo Credit: Sharon Harper, University of Vermont
Workshop 3 on “entrepreneurial hubs & platforms” was inspired by UVM’s Office of Engagement and Institute for Rural Partnerships. Four regional hubs - The Space on Main (Bradford VT), Do North Coworking (Lyndonville VT), Black River Innovation Campus (Springfield VT), and Radically Rural at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship (Keene NH) – and two platforms - Launch VT and Myti – will discuss how they connect an promote local entrepreneurs.
Monique Priestley Executive Director & Founder The Space on Main |
Jared Reynolds Manager Do North Coworking |
|||
Vincent Fusca Executive Director Black River Innovation Campus |
Julianna Dodson Deputy Executive Director & Radically Rural Director Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship |
|||
Bill Calfee Founder & Chief Visionary Officer Myti |
Lauren Bass Executive Director Launch VT |