IEEE-USA is pleased to offer its members a new career resource. We are launching our first IEEE-USA Entrepreneurs’ Networks. Your Section can now have a well-organized and effective resource, for those members who are entrepreneurs or want to be entrepreneurs. There is no cost to the Section, to the Network, or to IEEE members.
To start this program IEEE-USA recently created an Entrepreneurs Activities Committee (EAC). The members of this committee are all U.S. IEEE members, and IEEE-USA volunteers, as well as seasoned and experienced entrepreneurs, with highly successful records of accomplishment. EAC members and IEEE-USA staff have met with representatives from both the Senate and the White House to discuss the IEEE-USA program.
What will we be doing for these new Entrepreneurs Networks and its members?
You will be able to download IEEE-USA E-Books on a broad range of career and policy topics.
Because of an alliance we have made with SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives), you will be able to take advantage of the SCORE network of 13,000+ volunteers who offer small business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge.
You will be able to attend webinars on small business fundamentals.
You will be able to use IEEE-USA TechMatch. This online service grants entrepreneurs access to seasoned business persons who, at no charge, will help them improve their business plans.
You will be able to take advantage of our unique relationship with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), to get advice directly from SBA to assist you in making your business more successful.
You can join our LinkedIn Group, for people who create entrepreneurial technology businesses.
We can help you navigate federal and state resources for business and entrepreneurial needs.
We have created an IEEE-USA Entrepreneurs Achievement Award to present to the entrepreneur who has achieved the most, or has outstanding performance in his or her endeavors.
You will have access to many recorded webinars, including slides and handouts, in such areas as Copyright Basics, SBA Loan Programs: How to Obtain Financing for Your Business, Business Organizations for Engineers, Product Trademarks, Small Business Investment Company (SBIC), Small Business Innovation Research, Antitrust Basics, Finding the Green Sector, Success for Start-ups, and more.
To start an Entrepreneurs Network within your Section, proceed as follows:
- Compile a list of at least six signatures of voting members, including their IEEE membership numbers and their e-mail addresses. These members are agreeing to be involved and supportive when you start the Network.
- Contact both your Section chair and your PACE chair. Tell them that you would like to start an Entrepreneurs Network within the Section, and that you will be the temporary chair. Tell them that there is no cost, and that your call is to let them know, and to get approval to proceed. To the list, add the names of your Section chair and PACE chair, with room for their signatures.
- E-mail me the scanned list, including the printed names, the three signatures, the e-mail addresses, and the IEEE membership numbers. I will send information to all of you explaining how to proceed with meetings, agendas, plans, resources, etc.
Dr. Gary L. Blank is IEEE-USA’s volunteer Vice President of Career and Member Services.
