Questions for Small Group

(1)DEFINITION: What’s the opportunity?

(2)CAPACITY: What do we have – to build on?

(3)BENEFICIARIES: Who could benefit? Which businesses?

(4) OBSTACLES: What stands in the way? Policies? Laws?

Money? Organization? Technology?

(5) STRATEGY: How might the obstacles be overcome?

(6) MOVING FORWARD: Who should do what when?

BE SURE TO PICK A RAPPORTEUR!

Government Initiatives I

(1) DEFINITION: Web Platform, but “scope creep”. Current and credible.

(2) CAPACITY: County’s coordinated funding model, similar model to bring together diverse businesses and capital sources.

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Link LOIS buz’s with LOIS investors. Later expand into nonprofits.

(4) OBSTACLES:

(5) STRATEGY: County host a web site and convene players. Formulate the input and partners. Bring in financial professionals. SPARK platform could be expanded…

(6) MOVING FORWARD:

Government Initiatives II

(1) DEFINITION: Muni bonds.

(2) CAPACITY: Many existing bond programs that touch on what we’re doing. Need to expand.

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Non-tech businesses not benefited now. Non startups

(4) OBSTACLES: Govt deficits.

(5) STRATEGY: How to repay the bond? Credit card fees from banks. Other fees from banks. Refocusing SPARK on types of business we want.

(6) MOVING FORWARD:

Grassroots Investing I

(1) DEFINITION: Invest locally and sustainably.

(2) CAPACITY: Local investment initiatives – farms funds. Need to make a public list.

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Everyone in the local economy

(4) OBSTACLES: Small people…Whole Foods can’t buy from individual small farmers. Need leadership, know-how.

(5) STRATEGY: Let people know about value of investing locally. Which local alternatives are available.

(6) MOVING FORWARD: Show people that there is another way.

Grassroots Investing II

(1) DEFINITION: Web Portal to aggregate opportunities. Ombudsman…human screen. A place for aggregated help, and ultimately crowdfunding portal.

(2) CAPACITY: Existing org’n or nonprofit could lead. Many busjiness networks, small businesses, interested people

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Existing businesses> startups. Local investors. Community at large

(4) OBSTACLES: Segregations between creatives and moneyed people. Absence of a single champion. Funding.

(5) STRATEGY: Network within this group…find a champion, bring them to the funding. Tech. support. Sharing of key people.

(6) MOVING FORWARD:

Investment Pools I

(1) DEFINITION: Community foundation focused on investment in Stage II companies.

(2) CAPACITY: Strong VC and Angels. Endowments with universities. Lots of talent.

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Local stage 2 companies.

(4) OBSTACLES: Transaction costs. Regulations. Bringing together stakeholders.

(5) STRATEGY: Bring under an existing foundation. Due diligence…investment review. Identify home (AA community foundation?).

(6) MOVING FORWARD: Convene stakeholders…Incubate and discuss…

Community Education I

(1) DEFINITION: Build more awareness locally for more local action.

(2) CAPACITY: Knowledge base and government. Many people waiting to help. Social media, community for a.

(3) BENEFICIARIES: Anyone but WM. Tool for retaining talent.

(4) OBSTACLES: So many diverse, separated pops. How do design for the many who don’t use the internet. Balancing technology. Dig down in the conversation. Consistent communication. Who’s the champion?

(5) STRATEGY: Begin the education process. Get buy in with real-life stories.

(6) MOVING FORWARD: Preliminary groups need to be identified.Meet again in one month.