New nonprofit helps connect entrepreneurs with services

Entrepreneurs in northern Nevada quickly learn that an abundant number of organizations stand ready to help them.

But too often they don't know where to turn first, said Cheri Hill, president of the newly formed nonprofit, Entrepreneurship Nevada.

The organization, which has participation from more than a dozen organizations, provides a central clearinghouse that helps link business owners with the services they need.

It's launched a Web site at E-Nevada.org that accurately describes what each entrepreneurial organization does and provides a combined calendar of entrepreneurial activity such as classes and training sessions.

A newly launched newsletter, ENevadaNOW.org, highlights successful entrepreneurs and offers advice to local and regional startups and growing businesses.

"There are many excellent resources available here for the entrepreneur, or would-be entrepreneur," said Rod Hosilyk, E-Nevada.org board member. "We're really excited about the prospects for entrepreneurial growth here and want everyone to be part of it."

Hill said the group is careful that it doesn't duplicate services that already are available, but it sees great potential in coordinating services and making sure that entrepreneurs have the help them need when they need it.

"When we collaborate, creativity unfolds across people; the sparks fly faster, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," she said.

Members of E-Nevada.org include the Nevada Small Business Development Center, UNR Extended Studies, KNPB, SCORE, C4CUBE, Live Local Reno Sparks, Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, Sage International Inc.; Startup Growth Strategies, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization, Entrepreneurs Assembly, Northern Nevada Development Authority, the Small Business Administration and angel investor groups.

Hill said the group's members share an interest in job creation through entrepreneurship.

"Entrepreneurship Nevada is driven by a collective of people and organizations within our community that are tired of talking about the economy and how to create jobs. All of these organizations play a key role in the economic engine driving our region," she said.

For instance, KNPB, Reno's public television station, supports the effort by sending e-blasts to its 30,000-plus members about the availability of the ENevadaNow.org newsletter and posting a link on the KNPB.org website to promote it.

Entrepreneurship Nevada is a 501(c-3) nonprofit organization.