Press release

from the NC Department of Commerce
More than 300 business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders and economic developers will gather in Asheville, beginning Monday, September 24, for the 2012 North Carolina Entrepreneurship Summit. The annual conference began in 2006 as a way to bring together ideas and resources from across the state that would boost entrepreneurs in their efforts to start a business.

Headlining the two-day meeting at the U.S. Cellular Center will be speaker Bijoy Goswami, an entrepreneurial philosopher and evangelist on the power and methods of “bootstrap entrepreneurship” in communities. He founded the Bootstrap Network, an organization that works to provide entrepreneurs with tools and guidance for success.

“North Carolina has long been home to many successful entrepreneurs,” said Scott Daugherty, N.C. Commissioner for Small Business. “And today there are thousands of small and mid-sized companies across the state that are innovating, creating and retaining jobs, and helping the Tar Heel state grow and prosper. This conference brings together entrepreneurial experts who can provide meaningful advice, support services, financial options, and networking opportunities for others just starting a business.”

The 2012 NC Entrepreneurship Summit, which kicks off Monday at noon and ends Tuesday, September 25 at 4:30 pm, will include speakers and sessions on topics like accelerating the growth of companies, building outdoor adventure companies, navigating public-private financial resources, creating a community that fosters entrepreneurship, and experimenting with coworking environments.

For a complete list of speakers and sessions, as well as more information on the NC Entrepreneurship Summit, visit NCEntreSummit.org.