Murrieta to host seminar, speakers for area entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs and business movers and shakers are invited to a special event will be taking place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Murrieta Innovation Center located at 2644 Beckman Court in Murrieta.

(Flickr: betsyweber)

The seminar with feature a series of speakers who will discuss issues of importance to entrepreneurs, including funding, the JOBS Act, sustainable investing, new incubators in the area and more.

There will also be several demonstrations from area entrepreneurs and one-on-one opportunities with service providers including banks, attorneys, CPAs and others.

The Murrieta Innovation Center is located in the former City Hall building and is being opened up to entrepreneurs who are creating innovation in the medical and defense technology sectors.

Occupants of the Center will enjoy vastly reduced office rent, mentorship, introductions to capital, and the vital networking and collaboration opportunities offered by such a facility. The city has welcomed its first two occupants, a defense technology company and a biomarker discovery company.

The city is currently interviewing additional applicants.

“There is a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in our area of southwest Riverside County,” said Bruce Coleman, director of economic development for Murrieta in a released statement.

“We have a number of new initiatives designed to help those looking to start a business in our area and the Innovation Center is a key ingredient. Qualifying start-ups can access local resources, develop their business models, network with other early stage business owners, and enjoy a substantially lower operating cost,” he said.

The event is being supported by local banks, law firms, accounting firms, HR advisory groups, Small Business Development Centers, economic development organizations, the cities of Murrieta and Temecula, local investors, and others.

Over 80 people have registered so far to attend the conference, including entrepreneurs, investors, government officials and potential Center mentors.

Attendees will hear a keynote presentation on “Building Sustainable Businesses” from Greg Wendt, who is considered a “thought” leader in his field of sustainable and responsible investing.

A number of local businesses will be showcasing their new products and technology at the event, including a demonstration from the 2012 World Champion Murrieta High School Robotics Club.

In addition to the keynote presentation, there will a presentation on the JOBS Act and its implications for businesses to raise money, an introduction to a new and valuable local resource group, InSoCal Connect, and the announcement of a major global commercialization and collaboration conference being held next May at the Ontario Convention Center.

“We strongly support the local start-up community,” said Jay Goth, event organizer, Tritech SBDC consultant and principal at Redtail Capital, a local investment banking group in a released statement. “This area of southwest Riverside County is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, and I think that with the support we are seeing from local government and private enterprise that we can become another Silicon Valley.”

To register for the event or obtain more information, visit www.swrbiztraction.com.

*Contributed by the city of Murrieta