Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Martha Razo’s Xcelerator Business Summit: Igniting Entrepreneurial Success in a Time of Uncertainty

TINLEY PARK, Ill. -- In a world reeling from a global pandemic, dreams dashed and businesses struggling to survive, Martha Razo, a mathematician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, felt the call to reach out, to act, to transform. This conviction has culminated in the announcement of the Xcelerator Business Summit, a groundbreaking platform designed for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and innovators, a place where success is not just a dream but a shared goal, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, 2023, at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

With a heart filled with empathy and a mind sharpened by mathematical prowess, Martha saw beyond her own flourishing businesses. The news of closures and layoffs was more than just headlines to her; it was a call to action. Utilizing her expertise in data-driven decisions, Martha embarked on a one-on-one consulting mission to guide others towards success. But she didn't stop there. The Xcelerator Business Summit is her ambitious response to a troubled economy, an innovative platform where business minds can connect, share, and inspire. It's not merely a gathering, but a nurturing space for ideas, knowledge, and business insights, reflecting Martha's vision of success as a journey best traveled together.

One of the highlights of the Xcelerator Business Summit 2023 is the exceptional lineup of speakers who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Among them is Tsi-tsi-ki Felix, a multi-award-winning journalist, National TV Host, and esteemed TEDx Speaker known for her insights into media and communication. Joining her will be Blanca Sepulveda, a financial expert and the visionary founder of Transformation Financial.

Also gracing the stage will be Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, MD, the brother of Deepak Chopra and a distinguished Harvard Professor of Medicine, who will captivate attendees as the keynote speaker on leadership and health. Venture capitalist and business coach Bill Walsh will also share his wisdom on becoming a public speaker, leveraging years of entrepreneurial experience. With a diverse array of luminaries, the summit is poised to inspire and guide attendees on their paths to business success. With the best EMCEE in the Chicagoland area, Dr. Loren Michaels.

Lead Panelist: Lucero Mateos, Ainhoa García, and DeVon Chandler

The following are Xcelerator Business Summit speakers:

* James Watson

* Celia Colon

* Kimberle Smith Austin

* Lori A. McNeil

* Mansi Shah,

* Jasmine Willois

* Noeli Serna

* Alicia La Hoz

* Stephen Matley

* Jon Block

* Toccara Nicole

* Marie Antonette Waite

* Blanca Sepulveda

* Leonor Gil

* Jennifer Sanchez

* Lizeth Quintana-Romero

* Rubi Velazquez

* Luz Villa

* Kimberly Montesinos

* Paola Meinzer

* Margarita Morelos

* Fallon M. Flowers

* Tilsa Damary Fernandez

* Randy Barcella

* Gabriela Reyna

* Farrah Ali

* Gina Diaz

* Tia Juarez

* Michael Rannigan

For those struggling with the intricacies of entrepreneurship, Martha identifies a vital problem: "There are four pillars of business: marketing, sales, operation, and finances. And if these pillars are not aligned, then your business will not be successful long term." Her goal with the Xcelerator Business Summit is to create a strong foundation for business owners and connect them with the right people to "fill in the gaps."

Martha Razo's credentials are a testament to her abilities. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Applied Mathematics and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. But her education is just the tip of the iceberg. Martha is also the CEO of Guero's Pallets and co-founder of Solix Services, with a decade of diverse business experience, stretching across restaurants, properties, manufacturing, and more. From being an 8-figure business owner to being featured in NBC news, and authoring her book 'Business Diva,' Martha's expertise permeates her every endeavor.

The Xcelerator Business Summit 2023 is not just another business event; it's a guide for anyone looking to take their business to new heights. "You don't have to know it all," Martha insists, "But at least this summit will connect you to the experts who know what they're doing." There is going to be an expo where people can just walk around and talk to people one on one and explore different services for their business, master mind workshops, one on one coaching, book signings, and a Gala.

With an inviting and innovative spirit, Martha Razo's initiative promises to be a transformative experience, especially for those who feel the odds are stacked against them. Her advice resonates with a profound simplicity: "Come to the summit, network with the right people, accept what you do not know, and fill in their gaps!"

In a time when failure looms large, Martha Razo's Xcelerator Business Summit shines as a beacon of hope and success. It's an opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive. It's Martha's way of changing the world, one business at a time.

For more details on the Xcelerator Business Summit, please visit Martha's website:

https://www.martharazo.com/

Agenda and speaker lineup (PDF):

https://www.martharazo.com/_files/ugd/93e1d7_46b279afc4e849739d3f10a5762a4156.pdf

Related link: https://www.martharazo.com/%20

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Awards and Honors, Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles

California State University San Bernardino’s School of Entrepreneurship Makes Top 10 Graduate Entrepreneurial Programs in the West

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- The School of Entrepreneurship at the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) announced they have once again made the list of top graduate schools for entrepreneurship programs by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine.

CSUSB improved on previous rankings in every category. For Best Business Schools, the school was listed among 243 colleges and universities nationwide and 62 in the West. Under the MBA rankings, CSUSB was listed among the Best On-Campus MBA programs. In the Top 50 Best Online MBA programs, CSUSB was ranked 32nd in the nation, among the top 4 in California, and first in the state in public universities.

Similarly, in the Top 50 Graduate Entrepreneurship Programs in the world, CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship was ranked 44th globally, 8th in the Top Entrepreneurship Programs in the West, among the top 4 in California, specifically for its Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MSEI)_and MBA graduate programs focused on Entrepreneurship.

"Entrepreneurship studies at CSUSB continue to go from strength to strength," said Mike Stull, professor of entrepreneurship. "We have created an innovative approach to graduate education in both our Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the MBA program that excels at preparing students to be the future entrepreneurs of our region and beyond. Additionally, we have a robust ecosystem created by our Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) that supports and encourages experiential learning and startup activity."

The Princeton Review's annual ranking is based on a survey conducted of nearly 300 schools with entrepreneurship offerings, the rankings reported today took into account more than 40 data points about the school programs, faculties, students, and alumni. The 60-question survey included questions on: the percentage of faculty, students, and alumni actively and successfully involved in entrepreneurial endeavors; the number and reach of mentorship programs; scholarships and grants for entrepreneurial studies; and the level of support for school-sponsored business plan competitions.

"We recommend these schools highly and with great regard for the MBA programs they offer," said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review's Editor-in-Chief. "Since we developed our b-school rankings more than two decades ago, our goal, every year, has been to help applicants choose the MBA programs best for them. This is why we collect a broad range of data to compile rankings in multiple categories. In our opinion, no b-school is #1 in all aspects, nor is any b-school ideal for all applicants. However, every MBA program-on-campus as well as online-that made our lists for 2023 offers outstanding academics, superb experiential components, and impressive career services. As important, everyone garnered positive ratings from MBA students we surveyed who attend-or are recent grads of-the program."

For the full list of top undergraduate and graduate schools for entrepreneurship visit Princeton Review - https://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings?rankings=top-west-entrepreneurship-grad.

About CSUSB's School of Entrepreneurship:

California State University San Bernardino's School of Entrepreneurship, the first and only academic school dedicated to Entrepreneurship in California, serves nearly 1,000 students each year by delivering a wide range of educational programs and experiential learning opportunities that create the next generation of innovative change makers and entrepreneurs. The School of Entrepreneurship is part of the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.

The JHBC is fully accredited by the AACSB and NASPAA and is one of the leading business schools in Southern California. The mission of the college is as an applied business program plays a key role in developing an educated and entrepreneurial workforce that in turn enables the community to attract and keep quality jobs in the region. Providing over 17 concentrations in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with campuses in San Bernardino and Palm Desert, the JHBC has produced over 13,000 graduates--the majority of whom live and work in the growing and booming economy of Southern California.

For more information, visit https://entre.csusb.edu/.

RELATED LINKS:

https://www.princetonreview.com/corporate/rob-franek

Related link: https://entre.csusb.edu/

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Business, Free News Articles, Reports and Studies

Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship Releases First-Ever State of Entrepreneurship Minority Report

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) has released the first-ever State of Entrepreneurship Minority Report. Among the key findings is 35% of inland businesses are owned by minority entrepreneurs with Hispanic owners representing the largest portion at 16%.

The report shows minority entrepreneurship is thriving in the Inland Empire region, growing to more than 50% and outpacing both California at 19% and the U.S. at 35% in 2021. African-American and Hispanic-owned firms are the primary drivers of minority entrepreneurship and have continued to grow in spite of the pandemic.

"Minority entrepreneurship is an incredibly positive indicator for the Inland Empire," said Mike Stull, Director of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. "Overall, the rate of new entrepreneurs outpaces the national level; but lags when it comes to new ventures being created by individuals out of choice rather than necessity."

Stull continued "These necessity ventures tend to be those in which innovation and scalability are lacking and often do not have larger economic impacts such as extensive job creation and large multiplier effects throughout the supply chain."

As a result of evaluating the data, IECE has implemented a number of new programs to provide greater support to minority entrepreneurs such as Financial Fitness Bootcamp: 4-Day Small Business Training, Catapult Business Growth Network & Peer Mentoring, and the Procurement Center. Also in development are multiple Entrepreneurial Resource Centers (ERC), Microloan and/or seed grant programs, and a Food Entrepreneurship HUB.

The State of Entrepreneurship Minority Report analyzed monthly data from 2017 to 2021, from the Current Population Survey (CPS) by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. For a copy of the full report visit https://entre.csusb.edu/content/SOER.

About CSUSB's Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship:

The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino is the largest and most experienced organization in the Inland Empire dedicated to supporting small business and entrepreneurship on campus for the Jack H. Brown College of Business & Public Administration's School of Entrepreneurship, and within the community throughout the Inland Southern California region. Established in 1999, the IECE has served nearly 150,000 individuals and business owners with comprehensive business counseling, mentoring, innovative training programs and engaging events.

These services have resulted in the creation and retention of nearly 40,000 jobs and an economic impact of nearly $400 million. The center is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to continue to expand its reach across all business owners to support them through the post-pandemic repopulation and beyond.

The top tier segments of the IECE include the Women's Business Centers (IEWBC.org) (CVWBC.org), the Small Business Development Centers (IESBDC) (IEsmallbusiness.com) and the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) (californiaexport.org) and the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards (spiritawardsie.com.

To learn more about IECE and all of the programs available visit, https://entre.csusb.edu/.

Related link: https://entre.csusb.edu/

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Business, Free News Articles, Funding and Investment, Product Launches

Rockfleet Announces Availability of CapRaize

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Rockfleet Financial Services, Inc. ("Rockfleet") announced today immediate availability of CapRaize℠, enabling entrepreneurs and qualified all-stage companies seeking capital to connect seamlessly with all classes of investors, including crowdfunding enthusiasts, accredited investors, qualified purchasers, institutions, and family offices. CapRaize is now available at https://capraize.com/.

"Rockfleet believes that there is a need to keep the human element involved in the capital raising process while simultaneously amplifying access to opportunities for investors," said Cathy Corrigan, CEO of Rockfleet. "Founders of companies meeting our vetting requirements will benefit not only through targeted outreach via our sales force, but also through this new capability to reach potential investors we have not yet met."

"CapRaize allows us the advantage of creating the right balance between the high touch human connection with entrepreneurs and investors that we at Rockfleet value, while using state of the art cloud-based technology, enabling seamless interaction and transaction between the two. We see this as both a way for Rockfleet to offer our clients this service and additionally to expand access via our affiliate program to other boutique broker/dealers seeking this type of approach," added John Swift, Managing Director and Group Head of Private Capital and Wealth Management Groups at Rockfleet.

Rockfleet also announced its recent addition to the Private Capital Group, Lindi Salasko, Managing Director. Salasko is a closely-held advisor to private companies from early-stage technology businesses to multi-generational family-owned corporations. Her career began in 2000 with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., in corporate finance. Most recently, Salasko co-founded Nuova Capital, a micro-VC fund investing in very-early-stage companies in North America and the Middle East with the aim to be the first institutional check. Prior to Nuova, she established Unison Capital FZE, a boutique investment bank headquartered in the UAE with offices in Hamburg, Hong Kong and San Francisco, focusing exclusively on cross-border transactions.

Salasko said of CapRaize, "As the landscape continuously shifts for middle market, privately-held businesses, the ability to cast a wider net to garner investment from institutions, family offices and accredited investors is more necessary than ever for these companies to achieve growth. The launch of a digital fundraising platform of CapRaize's breadth and caliber could not come at a better time!"

POSITIVE IMPACT

Several of Rockfleet's institutional clients seek to benefit from early adoption of CapRaize℠:

Sonatafy Technology, a client-centric focused technology services company featuring nearshore software developers, recently committed to the CapRaize platform to complement its capital raising efforts to address its need for growth capital while diversifying its investor base in a meaningful and responsible way.

Kannact™, a digital health company providing chronic management solutions, is augmenting its traditional capital raising efforts with CapRaize to address its need for growth capital for its rapidly expanding business.

TwoWayMed™, a cloud based, healthcare services marketplace for the under- and un-insured, is using CapRaize to heighten investor awareness of its initial seed capital round, complementing Rockfleet's sales efforts.

AuthentiFact℠, the provider of DLGNZ℠ - an online marketplace that seeks to democratize the due diligence process by expanding companies' access to a larger, diversified pool of due diligence services providers - is launching its initial capital raise on CapRaize.

About Rockfleet

Founded in 2008, Rockfleet is a recognized leader in financial services. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to bring and execute the best choices for its clients. For mor information about Rockfleet, visit https://rockfleetfinancial.com/.

Rockfleet and CapRaize are either registered service marks or service marks of Rockfleet.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

@rockfleet @CapRaize

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Registration is Now Open for the 2021 National Virtual Pitch Competition for Entrepreneurs with over $5,000 in Cash and Prizes

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- The National Entrepreneurs Association and Dell Technologies will host the 2021 National Virtual Pitch Contest for Entrepreneurs Wednesday March 24, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. Contestants will have an opportunity to win over $5,000 in cash and prizes. The event was created to give entrepreneurs and small business owners an opportunity to gain national exposure and receive coaching, funding and other resources that can be used immediately for growth and expansion.

10 finalists will be chosen to pitch their business ideas to a national audience for three minutes on Zoom. A first-place winner will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive $2000 cash, a free Dell laptop computer and a one-year membership to the National Entrepreneurs Association. A second-place winner will be chosen by the audience and will receive $500 cash, a free Dell laptop computer and a one-year membership to the National Entrepreneurs Association.

The event is open to the public and entry is free. Application deadline is March 1, 2021.

"This event is a great way for the business community to come together around a worthy cause and help entrepreneurs who have recently started businesses or are challenged due to the pandemic. This pitch contest will allow entrepreneurs to get exposure, obtain funding and other resources to grow their businesses," said National Entrepreneurs Association President, Dr. ZaLonya Allen.

In addition, the winners will receive a free one-year membership to the National Entrepreneurs Association which includes free coaching, webinars and virtual meetings.

For more or to register visit https://www.nationalentrepreneurs.org/. The event is sponsored by Dell Technologies.

About National Entrepreneurs Association:

NEA is a 501(c)(3) member-based non-profit created to help entrepreneurs grow through networking events and educational programs. For additional information or an application to pitch please visit https://www.nationalentrepreneurs.org/ or contact NEA President, Dr. ZaLonya Allen at 248-416-7278.

National Entrepreneurs Association, 18444 W 10 Mile Rd Suite 103 Southfield, MI 48075

Contact: ZaLonya Allen, PhD
Phone: (248) 416-7278
Email: supportstaff@nationalentrepreneurs.org

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/Hpu6qNXfxas

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Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles

Next Gen Acquires Entrepreneurship Organization to Expand Educational Reach

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Few understand the importance of fostering entrepreneurship at an early age quite like Dylan Gambardella and Justin Lafazan. Next Gen's co-founders credit their entrepreneurial success to their learnings - and failures - in launching businesses while still in high school. That is why Next Gen HQ is announcing its acquisition of TrepStart Independent Youth to encourage high school entrepreneurship.

"We tell all young entrepreneurs to get in the game and start building," says Gambardella, Next Gen HQ's Co-CEO. "Justin and I were fortunate to launch our first company before college, and the experience has compounded our growth as leaders."

Chasing entrepreneurial dreams at any age is difficult. Next Gen aims to make the journey easier by providing the tools and resources entrepreneurs need to realize their business and life goals. Now, through acquiring St. Louis-based TrepStart Independent Youth, the Next Gen team will look to do exactly that for high school students, expanding its 500,000+ monthly audience.

TrepStart was launched in 2010 to generate entrepreneurial awareness and understanding through an array of educational programs and hands-on experiences. The organization aims to introduce students to entrepreneurship in a unique and unconventional way, allowing students to better engage while developing a deeper understanding of their life goals.

"We first learned of TrepStart through members of our Next Gen community who joined the annual conference," commented Lafazan, Co-CEO of Next Gen HQ. "They recognized synergies between our missions, which became apparent to our team immediately upon learning more."

After attending an event in St. Louis and meeting TrepStart's leadership, the Next Gen team knew this would be a fruitful opportunity to reach and impact thousands of new young entrepreneurs.

Tanya Hamilton, Founder and Executive Director of TrepStart Independent Youth, agreed: "I am grateful that after 10-years of empowering thousands of teens nationwide, we were able to find such a great organization in Next Gen HQ to continue our mission. I'm confident the team will take this program to the next level."

As part of the cash acquisition agreement, Next Gen HQ will retain all rights, IP, and directorship for TrepStart Independent Youth. Tanya Hamilton will work with the Next Gen HQ team during the transition period.

To learn more about the acquisition and to participate in future programs, visit Next Gen HQ's website at https://nextgenhq.com/trepstart

About Next Gen HQ:

Next Gen HQ develops products, spaces, and media to energize the world's greatest entrepreneurs, helping them win at business and life. Serving a global monthly engaged audience of over 500k entrepreneurs, Next Gen works with corporate clients including Capital One, American Express, Dell Technologies, and Wall Street Journal, helping them access and engage the next generation. Learn more: https://nextgenhq.com/

About TrepStart Independent Youth:

Independent Youth Inc. (IY) is a social enterprise that educates teens (ages 12-21 years old) on entrepreneurship by offering unique programs and resources. The mission of IY is to generate entrepreneurial awareness and understanding among youth through an array of educational programs and hands-on experiences. Independent Youth accomplishes its mission through various programs including the Annual Teen Entrepreneurship Symposiums (TrepStart).

Press Contact:
Jenna Sekutera
jenna@nextgenhq.com

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Related link: https://nextgenhq.com/

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