Stealthmode Partners - News & Updates

Join Us For FastTrac Growth Venture

Twice a year we run programs that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in Arizona.

If you would like to join us, please register now!

The programs are currently being underwritten by the cities of Tempe and Gilbert, which means people from those cities pay only $150 for materials. If you are not from Tempe or Gilbert and wish to participate, the fee is $750 for a ten-week program if there is space.

The description of what's in the program is in the document below.

What's not in that description is the value the guest speakers and outside resources and group dynamics. That's our secret sauce:-)

Please join us.

Click here to download the GrowthVenture Information PDF

OneSheet.GrowthVenture

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Entrepreneurship Business francine hardaway stealthmode

Get Help and Tools for Your Startup Through BizSpark and Stealthmode

Microsoft has started a new program for software startups called BizSpark, designed to give them help and support if they have under $1m in revenue, have been in existence less than three years, and need tools and mentoring.

At the end of three years, or when they achieve $1m in revenue, all they need do is contribute $100 back to Microsoft. We have become a BizSpark Network partner in Arizona, to help the recipients of those developer tools create actual businesses that make money (we all like that).

To join our BizSpark program, just click on the button, which will generate a custom link to our BizSpark site.

 

To access our support and mentoring, you may either sign up for one of our popular FastTrac Growth Venture programs beginning January 20 and 21 in Tempe or Gilbert, (if you are in one of those areas), or join us at Gangplank on January 21, 2009 for an introductory mentoring meeting at 2 PM.

Our First Gilbert Fasttrac Class seemed to like it:-)

Our first FrontRunner class, which is the City of Gilbert's version of Fasttrac, ended this week, and judging from the size of the class (more completions than usual) and the testimonial below, we did all right! We're looking forward to the next one.

The FastTrac program is the “Best-in-Class” course I have ever attended! Techniques in Core Competence, Seizing the Market, Strengthening the products/services, and Charting Financial Performance are some key topics I learned to make PhoenixMicro a success! A must course to take for all new entrepreneurs!

We didn't pay for him to write that, either:-)

We Become a Microsoft Network Partner

[Phoenix, AZ — Nov. 5, 2008] — Stealthmode Partners today announced that it has been selected to join the Microsoft BizSpark Program as a Network Partner. The BizSpark Program is a new global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups by connecting them to Network Partners: active members of the global software ecosystem who can provide mentorship, guidance and resources to BizSpark Startups. BizSpark creates an ongoing, mutually beneficial ecosystem between Microsoft, Startups and Network Partners. "I'm delighted to see Microsoft reaching out to entrepreneurs in Arizona, because we have such a vibrant software development community here," says Francine Hardaway, co-founder of Stealthmode Partners. "We need the help to propel them forward globally, and Microsoft has the resources to do that. If you come to the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference on Nov. 19 (http://www.azentrepreneurship.com), you can find out more and meet the Microsoft people who are committed to helping you." Microsoft is committed to helping entrepreneurs to transform their ambitions into sustainable, dynamic businesses and to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism. To this end, the BizSpark Program provides Startups with software, support and visibility at a time when they are most valuable and least affordable—during their first three years, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. BizSpark gives Startups fast and easy access to Microsoft’s current full-featured development tools, platform technologies as well as production licenses to bring to market innovative and interoperable solutions for the next generation of user experiences. To be eligible for the Microsoft BizSpark Program, Startups must be actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that is a core piece of their business model, have BizSpark gives Startups fast and easy access to Microsoft’s current full-featured development tools, platform technologies as well as production licenses to bring to market innovative and interoperable solutions for the next generation of user experiences. To be eligible for the Microsoft BizSpark Program, Startups must be actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that is a core piece of their business model, have been in business less than three years, and have less than USD$1M in revenue. Startups may enroll for the program by obtaining sponsorship from a designated BizSpark Network partner. ABOUT STEALTHMODE PARTNERS Stealthmode Partners (http://www.stealthmode.com) has been incubating early stage startups since 1999. Always the entrepreneur's advocate, we offer the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac(R) Entrepreneurial Education programs (http://www.arizonaft.com, the annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences (http://www.azentrepreneurship.com), private coaching and consulting services, and a network of resources that can help start and grow businesses.

Ron Conway talks about angel investing

Stanford University records podcasts with entrepreneurs and investors and makes them available to educators as resources. Here's a good one on angel investing with a very experienced angel:

Oovoo

For the last two days, I've been intermittently trying out a new piece of videoconferencing software called Oovoo. I found it becaue Oovoo launched on Twitter, offering to host a series of "MyOovooDays" in which "famous" Twitter people and bloggers hosted conversations, and in return Oovoo supported the FrozenPeaFund, a cancer fund that started when Twitter user and artist Susan Reynolds was diagnosed with breast cancer.

When that happened, Twitter users from all over the world adopted PEAvatars, named for the frozen peas Susan put on her boobs to lessen the pain after her biopsy. And after her mastectomy, her friends founded the fund and we are all working to raise money for it and to support her and at least one other cancer survivor on Twitter, a woman I only know as @whymommy.

There has been a lot written about how Twitter came together around Susan's cancer, and so I wanted to support Oovoo's support for Susan :-)

And I've had two days of big fun, meeting in person some of the people I have been "talking" to on Twitter for the past year or so. Yesterday, I spend part of the afternoon with Susan herself on her birthday. And with her were Connie Reece
, KathrynJones and Todd Jordan.

This morning, the host was Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb
, the conversation was about video tools, and Doug Haslam, Laura Fitton and I participated.

Okay, so how was the experience?

I loved it. it was easy to use, and I can see that Oovoo is good for small meetings, panels, presentation practice, and planning sessions. I hope it stays free! Especially since it seems to work on the Mac without headphones or a mike, with the internal iSight camera that comes in the MacBook Pro. Which means even a dog can do it!

New FastTrac Program Begins 1/15

We have been awarded another two-year contract from the City of Tempe to offer our popular entrepreneurship program Fasttrac Growth Venture. The speakers have all been selected, and the program will begin on January 15th at the offices of the Downtown Tempe Community, 310 S. Mill Avenue Ste. A-201. You may register at Tempeft.com. The cost, normally $750, will be $150 because of the underwriting by the City of Tempe. And the $150 is for the materials, online access to tools, and a free membrship to the Hill Libraries during the run of the program.

Hope to see you there! Tell your friends, too.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kathy Sacks

kathy@sackspr.com
602-619-4444

Susan Assadi

susan@assadi.com
480-860-8792

Co-founder of Macromedia to Address Entrepreneurship Conference
Nov.8 Conference helps anyone in or contemplating an entrepreneurial venture

Phoenix, AZ – (October 11, 2007) – Businesses and entrepreneurs looking for funding, talent, real estate plays for the future, green initiatives or innovative ideas will find them all at The Second Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship conference November 8 at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. The day-long event will connect participants with local and national entrepreneurs and investors.

“While Arizona will never be Silicon Valley, this conference is designed to connect the two and help entrepreneurs here build their businesses,” said Francine Hardaway, organizer of the event.

Keynote speakers include a collection of heavyweights sharing their in-the-trenches experiences in building, funding and selling their companies.

Keynote Speakers:
• Pat Sullivan, the founder of ACT! and SalesLogix, currently Chairman of Jigsaw Health and an active angel
• Michael Gerber, Best Selling Author of "The E-Myth"
• Marc Canter, co-founder of Macromedia and CEO of Broadband Mechanics
• Dan Morrison, Co-Founder and CEO, ITtoolbox

Full Conference will Include:
• Access to Capital in Arizona
• Exit Strategies by IPO or Acquisition, featuring the CEOs of Limelight Networks and Zenter (acquired this year by Google)
• Recruiting and Keeping Talent in an Era of Free Agents
• Real Estate 2.0 - Technology Changes Ahead for Arizona's Major Industry
• Green in the Desert
• Women as Entrepreneurs: Some Surprises About How Successful They Are, and in Which Industries
• The Process of Innovation: How You and Your Company Can Innovate Better
• Social Entrepreneurship: Making Money and Making a Difference
• Social Media Connection: An open invitation to Arizona Social Media Mavens to Come and Meet-up

Conference details:

Location: Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel
7:30am to 4:30pm -- Keynotes and panels
4:30 to 6:30pm -- Networking reception

Registration includes lunch and a continental breakfast: http://www.azentrepreneurship.com

Early-bird registration until Oct. 15: $99

After Oct 16: $125

The First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference [photos | video] was held in Fall 2006 and was standing-room only.

Sponsors

Arizona Corporate Broadcast Center

Arizona Small Business Association

Business Journal of Phoenix

City of Tempe Economic Development Department

Deru Internet Services

Ephibian

Gitenstein & Assadi Public Relations

Grid7

Sacks Public Relations

Stealthmode Partners

Swartz and Associates

Community Partners

Essential Event Technologies

Arizona Internet Professionals Association

Arizona Small Business Association

Arizona Technology Council

Club Entrepreneur

Social Media Club Phoenix

TIE Arizona

Second Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference

AZ ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE REVEALS LINEUP OF SUCCESS STORIES FOR NOVEMBER 8 EVENT
Software Pioneer, Serial Entrepreneur Pat Sullivan to Lead Power-Packed Conference Agenda

Phoenix, AZ – (August 14, 2007) – Businesses and entrepreneurs looking for funding, talent, real estate plays for the future, green initiatives or innovative ideas will find them all at The Second Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship conference November 8.The day-long event will network participants with an ever-growing proliferation of Arizona entrepreneurial successes and angels.

Pat Sullivan, the founder of ACT! and SalesLogix, currently Chairman of Jigsaw Health, will deliver the keynote about his new Scottsdale-based venture.

"Our conference tracks will focus on Being Green, Real Estate, Funding Your Company, Exit Strategies, Innovation, women entrepreneurs, and a host of other relevant topics specific to entrepreneurs in Arizona," revealed Francine Hardaway, CEO of Stealthmode Partners and primary conference organizer. "We are creating a more efficient ecosystem for Arizona entrepreneurs, and we will make sure the people who attend this event will receive the value they deserve for giving us their time."

Two Arizona tech companies who recently achieved liquidity events will be presenting: Limelight Networks completed its Initial Public Offering in June 2007 and in the same month Zenter, an online presentation software tool, was acquired by Google. The conference will feature these two companies as well as Pat Sullivan's new venture, Jigsaw Health, a social venture devoted to helping people figure out how to handle their chronic health problems.

Like the inaugural Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference held in late 2006, the goals of the November 8th conference are to provide connections and resources to the entrepreneurial community in Arizona designed to help further create and build the critical mass. All proceeds benefit the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation which trains underserved and at-risk populations in entrepreneurship skills for self-sufficiency.

The conference will be held at the Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel from 7:30am to 4:30pm and will be limited to 500 attendees, including panelists, media and speakers. The conference concludes with a networking reception from 4:30 to 6:30pm.

Registrations are being taken at http://www.azentrepreneurship.com. The cost of the conference is $125, which includes lunch and a continental breakfast. Early-bird registration is $99.
The agenda is available online at

The First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference [audio | photos | video | site] was held November 8th, 2006 and filled the Phoenix Ritz-Carlton to capacity.

For Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference sponsorship information, please contact Greg Gotcher, 602-432-6160.

Sponsors
Arizona Corporate Broadcast Center
Arizona Small Business Association
Business Journal of Phoenix
City of Tempe Economic Development Department
Deru Internet Services
Ephibian
Gitenstein & Assadi Public Relations
Grid7
Sacks Public Relations
Stealthmode Partners

Community Partners
Arizona Department of Education
Arizona Internet Professionals Association
Arizona Small Business Association
Arizona Technology Council
Club Entrepreneur
The Institute for Entrepreneurship
Social Media Club Phoenix

Entrepreneurs Roundtable 2.0

There won't be a Stealthmode Partners dinner this Monday (August 13th), because we are in the process of changing the format for the dinners. Starting September 10th at 6:30 PM at OT's, we will use the format from the SF NewTech Meetups: five entrepreneurs will be chosen to give five-minute demos of their products or services. We won't limit it to tech, but if you are an accountant or an attorney, you had best figure out how to give a great demo.

After each demo, there will be another five minutes for questions. At the end of the 50 minutes (and yes, we will time everything) we will have round the room introductions for 30 minutes. We will be finished by 8 PM with the formal presentation. If you want to eat or drink, come a little early and order...

Hope you like it. I think it will give us more opportunity to see each other's work and support it. If you want to present, get in touch with francine at stealthmode dot com. We are full for September, and have a beginning good list for October already!

New Month, New Events

The April 12 Stealthmode Founders and CEO Roundtable will be held at Oscar Taylor at 24th Street and Camelback, southeast corner. They validate parking in their garage, or you can park free across the street at Biltmore Fashion Park. It's at 6:30 and it's free. If you want to come, drop me a line at francine@stealthmode.com.

The April 8th Social Media Club meeting will begin at 6:30 PM at Jobing.com. We will probably discuss video on tne net, but also a little about Kathy Sierra, trolls, and netiquette.

New locations for old favorites

Because of the closing of La Madeleine, the place we used to hold the Stealthmode dinners, the Social Media Club meetings, and AZIPA, we have been out scouring for other locations. Jobing.com has graciously donated a room in its facility for Social Media Club.

And we are temporarily holding the Stealthmode dinners at the new Oscar Taylor, southwest corner of 24th Street and Camelback (parking is validated). We did it last night for the first time, and I loved it. What a great and elegant place, with a jazz jam occurring in the background. But I don't think we can stay there permanently, so I'm still scouting.

And we're planning the Second Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference again. Looking for the best place to hold it, the best keynotes, and perhaps a product launch or two.

A New Era in Stealthmode Dinners

La Madeleine closed its doors this week. After seven years of holding the Entrepreneurs, Founders and CEOs Roundtable there, we have to find a new spot. For this month, FastTrac graduate Ken Blue has offered us the private room at Oscar Taylor Restaurant on the southwest corner of 24th Street and Camelback. But we probably don't want to meet there permanently, because Ken is starting a Monday night JazzJam in the main dining room.

So now we have the opportunity to ask: what do we want the Stealthmode dinners to be, and WHERE do we want them to be?

Take a minute and answer the following three questions:

1) Do you know a place that offers a free private room for about 35-50 people?
2) Where is your home or office?
3) Should we change the format as we change the venue? Speakers? A charge for a sit down dinner? More structured networking?

See you on Monday night, March 12th, 6:30 PM at Oscar Taylor's to discuss these questions and others.

Revolution in Marketing Conference Gets Press

Follow this link to read the fine Arizona Republic article about the Revolution in Marketing Conference on March 1. Scoble kicks it off.

Scoble to Keynote Revolution in Marketing Conference March 1

The Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference organizers (we are among them) announced today that Robert Scoble, the original Microsoft blogger and now the producer of "The Scoble Show" on Podtech.net will be the keynote speaker at the Arizona Entrepreneurship mini-conference: The Revolution in Marketing. The conference is scheduled for March 1st from 7:00 AM – Noon in the Ethington Theatre at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ.

Social media is changing the way all businesses deal with customers, and Robert Scoble wrote the book on how this will work in the future.

Like the inaugural Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference held in late 2006, the goal of this, The Revolution in Marketing, conference is to provide connections and resources to the entrepreneurial community in Arizona. This conference is part of the Kauffman Foundation's National Entrepreneurship Week initiative and will benefit the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, whose mission is to provide entrepreneurship skills and opportunities to such disadvantaged population as at-risk youth, released felons, and underemployed women.

Chris Heuer, co-founder of Social Media Club will deliver the opening presentation "What is Social Media Anyway?" The Social Media Club has its headquarters in San Francisco, with chapters in Phoenix, Miami, Seattle and New York. Robert Scoble’s presentation will follow Heuer’s address and then there will be a panel discussion Out Front and Center, featuring case studies of three Arizona social media initiatives.

What is social media? Over the past five years there has been a significant movement away from traditional communication platforms mainstream newspapers and network TV towards online alternatives and user-generated content including social networks and web portals.

This past November, the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference held its first event to a sold out audience. As the venue for The Revolution in Marketing: Making an Impact Through Social Media holds only 300 people, early registration is encouraged. The cost to attend the March mini-conference is $75 until February 15th, $95 at the door (if not already sold out).

To register go to http://www.azentrepreneurship.com

If you have any questions about the conference, call 602-412-3315.

The Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference organizers are also in the planning stages for their 2nd Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference to be held on November 8, 2007.

For more frequent and detailed updates, readers may subscribe to the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference Google Group.

FastTrac Entrepreneur Courses

Another round of our FastTrac Entrepreneur Education Courses begin on January 9th and 10th. More information is at www.arizonaft.com

MiniConference for National Entrepreneurship Week: "Revolution in Marketing"

I'm excited to announce that Robert Scoble, the famous former Microsoft blogger and now the vlogger from Podtech who just got off the John Edwards presidential announcement plane (covering how technology and social media will change politics) has accepted our invitation to keynote the next Arizona Entrepreneurship miniconference, "The Revolution in Marketing" scheduled for March 1, 8-11 AM in the Ethington Theatre at Grand Canyon University. This is a real coup for us, as Robert and his wife Maryam (who grew up in Iran and is an expert on "Girl Geeks") are both bloggers and experts on the use of social media.

This conference is part of the Kauffman Foundation's initiative, National Entrepreneurship Week, and will benefit the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation. We haven't decided yet on how much to charge, because that's determined by the cost of such items as food and expenses for speakers. It will probably be in the neighborhood of $75. Start saving:-)

Only 300 people can fit in this conference venue, so you'd better mark your calendar, and we will let you know as soon as we have the site updated for registration.

Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference

Is it true that Arizona is a great place to start a business? Or is it true that we lack capital and seasoned management teams? On November 8, 2006, Arizona’s entrepreneurs and aspirants will find answers to these questions at the First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, presented by The Business Journal of Phoenix, Stealthmode Partners, and The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, and sponsored by Grand Canyon University, Shea Commercial, Core Purpose, Inc., the City of Tempe Economic Development Department, and Ephibian. Michael Gerber, author of the best seller The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, will be the lunch speaker. The conference, to be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel from 8 AM to 4 PM will feature a day of great content and connections for Arizona companies in both startup and growth mode.

Other confirmed speakers include Marianne Hudson, Director of the Angel Capital Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; William Cockayne, innovation specialist and Director of Stanford University’s Humanities Lab; and former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, a real estate and a technology entrepreneur.

Attendees will hear from successful Arizona entrepreneurs, local startups familiar with the environment, entrepreneur mentors and angel investors, and specialized resource providers.

“We are hoping that this day will leave entrepreneurs with business insights, leadership skills and networking opportunities to create new businesses or expand existing enterprises. Its agenda, developed from the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac Entrepreneurial Education program, includes practical, hands-on business development tracks and workshops for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs,” says conference organizer Francine Hardaway.

Panelists who will be available to answer questions and work with attendees include experts in due diligence, business valuation, intellectual property, business formation, product development, leadership, hiring and firing, product marketing, sales, franchises, and social ventures.

The cost of the conference will be $125.00, including lunch and refreshments. Proceeds will be donated to the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation http://www.otef.org), a 501©3 that provides entrepreneurial skills to underserved populations, and to local not-for-profits that serve entrepreneurs in Arizona. Registrations are being taken at www.azentrepreneurship.com.

FastTrac GrowthVentures Fall Program

If you are looking to take your company to the next level of success, be sure to sign up for FastTrac GrowthVentures, starting on September 12, 2006. Details and sign up are here.

FastTrac TechVentures Fall Program

Stealthmode Partners, the leading accelerator for early stage companies in Arizona, in partnership with The City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Biotech Accelerator announces the fall session of the FastTrac TechVentures program specifically for technology and life sciences businesses. Guest resources will include Michelle Hanna, CEO of Ribomed, and a roster of successful local entrepreneurs, service providers, and funding sources.

The City of Phoenix underwrites the fees for the ten-session program, which begins Wednesday, September 20, 2006 and is held every Wednesday evening for nine weeks from 5:30 PM-8:30 PM at the Phoenix Biotech Accelerator, 714 E.Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ. The cost is only $150 for the materials. Applications are being taken now at http://www.fasttrac.org/event.cfm?eventID=737

Through the interactive program, FastTrac TechVentures participants will develop a better understanding of the business-planning process, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their own businesses or ideas for a business. They also will write business plans or feasibility studies and learn how to address competition, as well as learning the legal aspects of running a business, protecting intellectual property, and licensing technology. Marketing, sales, customer relations, financial management, and exit strategies will be covered. Participants will also gain access to successful local entrepreneurs and service providers, banks, and other financing sources.

For more information about this program, call Francine Hardaway at 602.910.5622 or go to www.fasttrac.org

FastTrac TechVentures

Invitation to the kickoff of FastTrac TechVentures on January 3, 2006 at 5:30pm

You are cordially invited to the kickoff of FastTrac TechVentures, a new entrepreneur education program of the Kauffman Foundation, Stealthmode Partners, and the City of Phoenix in support of high growth tech companies in Phoenix.

This first night is free and open to anyone who is interested in learning more about FastTrac.

The full FastTrac TechVentures program will run from 5:30-8:30pm on Tuesday evenings for an additional nine weeks, featuring an all-star cast of resources.

The first speaker will be Dr. Michelle Hanna, founder of Ribomed LLC.

Please join us at Ribomed's Phoenix Biotech Accelerator facility, at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Van Buren at 5:30pm on January 3rd to hear Dr. Hanna and also to find out about what FastTrac has to offer technology entrepreneurs.

Please feel free to share this invitation with others that may also be interested. Thank You!

Ask the Experts Breakfast

A Free Breakfast Presented by The City of Phoenix Enterprise Community

Be sure to take advantage of this free opportunity to ask your business questions to a Panel of Experts:

* Business Finance - Jack Eberenz, Partner, 4Lec Associates
* Business Law - Bob Rodgers, Partner, Rogers and Theobald, LLP
* Human Resources - Anne Caldwell, President, Outsource Solutions
* Information Technology - Ben Smith, Director, TecServ
* Manufacturing and Business Process Improvement - Phillip Blackerby, President, Blackerby Associates
* Sales and Marketing - Allan Starr, President, Marketing Partners
* Moderated by Francine Hardaway, Partner, Stealthmode Partners

Tuesday, July 26 7:30 AM
Tom’s Restaurant and Tavern
2 North Central Ave, Phoenix
NE corner of 1st Ave and Washington
Parking available across the street in the Patriot’s Park Garage

Free of charge to all businesses in the Phoenix Enterprise Community (see map) $25 at the door for other business people.

Space is limited to 30 participants, so please RSVP today to confirm your spot: 602.910.5622 or email breakfast@stealthmode.com

Phoenix Enterprise Community Map (click to enlarge):

Incubation services available for businesses impacted by light rail construction, minority and veteran-owned businesses

16 December 2004 - Phoenix, AZ -- Stealthmode Partners, the leading accelerator for early stage companies in Arizona has announced that it has received an Enterprise Community (EC) Business Technical Assistance Grant from the City of Phoenix Economic Development Department to provide incubation services to City of Phoenix businesses in the following target areas: construction industry; technology industry; businesses impacted by light rail construction; minority and disadvantaged businesses. Applicants are being sought for participants in the program, which begins in January 2005.

Through the interactive FastTrac program, developed by the Ewing Marion Kauffmann Foundation (www.fasttrac.org), participants develop a better understanding of the business-planning process, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their own businesses, write business plans and learn how to address competition and market forces such as light rail. Help will be provided in business law, marketing, operations, customer relations, financial management, and exit strategies. Participants will also gain access to successful local entrepreneurs and service providers, banks, and other financing sources.

The award will fund sixty participants in four sessions: two FastTracTM New Venture training and technical assistance programs for new entrepreneurs and two FastTracTM Planning programs for entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses to the next level . The programs are open to qualified residents of the city of Phoenix, with special emphasis on the construction industry and technology community. Because of the grant, participants will pay only the cost of their course materials ($75 for FastTracTM New Venture and $100 for FastTracTM Planning).

A separate partnership with The Veterans Corporation opens the FastTracTM program to any Arizona Veteran, including active Reserve and National Guard members, and military personnel planning their transition from active duty. The Veterans Corporation covers most of the cost of the program for Veteran participants, asking Veterans to cost-share a portion of each course ($350 for Planning, $100 for New Venture).

The next 11-session FastTracTM Planning program begins January 19, and will be held on Wednesday evenings at the law offices of Rogers and Theobald, 2425 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016 from 5:30-8:30 PM. Applications are being taken now at www.fasttrac.org; Veterans need to apply through the Veterans Corporation at www.veteranscorp.org. Participants in this program must already be in business. Special consideration is given to minorities and women.

For those who are considering a new business, FastTracTM New Venture offers nine weeks of feasibility testing and connections to community resources that can help. The next FastTracTM New Venture begins on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at the law offices of Rogers and Theobald, 2425 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016 from 5:30-8:30 PM. Applications are being taken now at www.fasttrac.org; Veterans need to apply through the Veterans Corporation at www.veteranscorp.org. Participants in this program may be at the idea or startup stage. Special consideration is given to minorities and women.

The cost of the programs for those not covered by either the grant or Veterans Corporation subsidy is $750.


For more information about the program, go to www.fasttrac.org.


ABOUT STEALTHMODE PARTNERS

Stealthmode Partners is a network of people and companies working together behind the scenes (in "stealthmode") to help our portfolio companies grow bigger, better, faster. Companies that are accepted into the Stealthmode Partners portfolio receive coaching, consulting, and connections to the people and resources they need to reach success.

Stealthmode Partners is headed up by Francine Hardaway, Ph.D., an experienced technology marketing strategist with special expertise in early stage company operations. Francine is an Entrepreneurial Fellow at the Berger Center of the Eller School of Business, University of Arizona. She has taught entrepreneurship at several Arizona colleges, and is on the Advisory Board of the Medical Informatics Program at Arizona School of Health Sciences (part of the A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine).

ABOUT THE VETERANS CORPORATION
The National Veterans Business Development Corporation, doing business as The Veterans Corporation, was created in 1999 by Public Law 106-50. The Veterans Corporation is charged with providing Veterans and Service Disabled Veterans with the tools they need to start and expand successful businesses, including access to training, access to markets, and access to capital and services. No other public or private organization provides this specific assistance to the 24-million-strong Veteran community. The Veterans Corporation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

Programs and services from The Veterans Corporation are open to all Veterans, active members of the Guard and Reserve, and military personnel planning their transition from active duty. Information on all Veterans Corporation programs may be found at www.veteranscorp.org.

ABOUT FASTTRACTM
Sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, FastTracTM is a comprehensive educational program that provides entrepreneurs with business insights, leadership skills and professional networking connections so that the participants are prepared to create a new business or expand an existing enterprise. FastTracTM programs are currently being provided in 147 cities in 40 states. FastTracTM programs also are being offered internationally in three countries Australia, Canada and Sweden. More than 80,000 participants have attended FastTracTM classes in the U.S