Global Entrepreneurship Institute

How significant changes in the Mexican financial sector are impacting U.S.-Mexico business transactions
Dubos J. Masson, PhD, CTP, Cert ICM

Mexico is a key trading partner with the United States and a member of NAFTA, and as such, many U.S. businesses have significant dealings with Mexican suppliers, customers, or subsidiaries. While there are some similarities in commercial banking practices, there are other, very significant differences between the Mexican and U.S. environments, for example, prevalence of foreign-owned financial institutions, varying payroll delivery mechanisms, and levels of anti-money laundering compliance.
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Microfinance Grows Up: Success Brings New Challenges for Investors, Practitioners, in Emerging Economies
Microfinance — the business of providing financial services in small transaction amounts to poor, underserved markets — has taken off in recent years. With financial sectors in many developing countries maturing and microfinance institutions (MFIs) themselves growing rapidly, capital markets have been quick to enter the fray, providing ample funding for expansion. But microfinance’s evolution in countries throughout Asia and Eastern Europe has cast a spotlight on changes now buffeting the industry as private investors arrive in force and traditional microfinance values are questioned.
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International Competitive Pressure Varies In Impact On U.S. Manufacturers

Currency exchange rate pressures lead to an increase in the exit rates very small manufacturers (fewer than 20 employees), finds a report released by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Continue reading ‘Report: Global Impact On U.S. Small Manufacturers’ »

As published in Nature Biotechnology
Starting and sustaining a business in the life sciences is not for the faint of heart. And in an increasingly complex business environment, biotech entrepreneurs should look for complementary partners and new business opportunities to effectively build their companies. By Rohit Shukla, CEO Larta Institute

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The Lessons of Business History: A Handbook

Compiling a handbook on the current thinking in any area of study seems daunting enough, but the just-published Oxford Handbook of Business History carries an even larger mission: bring the lessons of business history to current research in other disciplines and to the practice of business management itself. A Q&A with coeditor Geoffrey Jones from Harvard Business School
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The Greening of Wal-Mart From Stanford Social Innovation Review

For much of its history, Wal-Mart’s corporate management team toiled inside its “Bentonville Bubble,” narrowly focused on operational efficiency, growth, and profits. But now the world’s largest retailer has widened its sights, building networks of employees, nonprofits, government agencies, and suppliers to “green” its supply chains. Here’s how and why the world’s largest retailer is using a network approach to decrease its environmental footprint—and to increase its profitability.
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Entering Into a Relationship With a ”Matchmaker” May Pose Risks 

There are an increasing number of online “matchmaker” services that “find” venture capital and angel investors for entrepreneurs. The characteristic that these “finders” all share is their preferred method of being compensated. It is a fee that usually consists of a percentage of the money raised. Continue reading ‘Be Careful Using a “Matchmaker” to Help You Raise Money’ »

American rural economies are as dynamic as their suburban and urban counterparts are, finds a working paper released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Southern Regional Advocate Pat Gartland discussed the paper’s findings at a meeting of  the Thomasville, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Continue reading ‘Report: Rural Economies As Dynamic As Suburban & Urban Areas’ »

A start-up run by former Microsoft Corp. employees said it has made a tool to combat growing security risks on the Web. Haute Secure Inc. introduced a free online service says will let consumers detect and stop Internet-borne computer code designed to steal private information.

Continue reading ‘Start-Up’s Web-Security Tool Is Free to Consumers’ »

When entering China, businesses can’t rely on approaches that worked in their home markets. Leaders must consider the diversity of the country, as well as its social norms, changing regulatory environment, and uneven infrastructure. Executives who take a “helicopter view” and consider the context of their surroundings will be more likely to thrive in the Chinese marketplace.

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Danger Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based provider of software and services for mobile handsets, has withdrawnits registration for a $100 million IPO. The move is related to Microsoft’s recent agreement to acquire Danger for approximately $500 million. Danger has raised around $142 million in total VC funding since 2000, including a Series E round in late 2006 at a post-money valuation of approximately $187 million. Shareholders include Mobius Venture Capital (17.6%), Redpoint Ventures (14.8%), T-Mobile (12.6%), Softbank Capital (12.7%), Motorola (11.2%), Meritech Capital Partners (7.8%) and VSP Capital (6.2%).

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As a growing variety of media companies based in Latin America and Mexico are chasing Hispanic consumers, Hispanic advertising agencies are hiring talent in droves from the two regions, and practically every general market advertising agency interested in owning a Hispanic agency has bought or launched such a unit.

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Leading Venture Capital Firm Starts Large Fund

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has launched a $100 million venture capital fund called iFund, which will invest in companies developing applications and services for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. KPCB partner Matt Murphy will lead the iFund effort, and be joined by partners John Doerr, Bill Joy, Randy Komisar, Ted Schlein and Chi-Hua Chien

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Tesla Motors Inc., a San Carlos, Calif.-based maker of electric cars, has raised $40 million in “bridge financing.” Valor Equity Partners and Tesla chairman Elon Musk co-led the round. The company previously raised a $45 million Series D round last May from Musk, Technology Partners, Capricorn Investment Group, Vantage Point Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, JP Morgan Bay Area Equity Fund, Valor Equity Partners and Compass Venture Partners. Tesla recently said that it was hoping to raise another $250 million, via a combination of a private placement and an IPO in either the U.S. or Europe.

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Pointers from Harvard Business School Experts

Thinking about starting your own business? Read this collection of articles from Harvard Business School on legal issues, managing resources, product development, and keeping owner control.

 - Should I keep control of my company?
 - How do I turn potential into profit?
 - How can a resource-challenged start-up grow?
 - What legal mistakes should I watch out for in starting a new company?

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Companies that are socially responsible are frequently more attractive to top talent. One way companies can become more involved in charitable giving is to provide employees a day off for the purpose of working on a community service project or political campaign, motivational expert Bob Nelson says.

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SBA Administrator Steve Preston recently met with Colombian Trade Minister Luis G. Plata in Washington D.C. to discuss the importance of passing the pending Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Continue reading ‘Importance of Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA)’ »

The Venture Impact Report

Published by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), Venture Impact takes a look at the economic impact of venture backed companies. This study looks at the contribution venture backed companies have had on overall job creation, revenue creation and innovation over the last 30 years.

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News About Us From Around the World

We are an “open-source” community and therefore organizations around the world are free to use our ideas, our information, and our online support to advance entrepreneurship. Our work has been cited in key papers, articles, and numerous research studies around the world. Our Web site is recognized as one of the best resources on the Internet for entrepreneurs, academia, and researchers around the world.

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Access the Best Seed & Early Stage Life Science Pipeline in the World!!

The 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum is the largest - and longest running - showcase of early stage innovation and entrepreneurship on the planet. It is the must-attend event for those seeking access to untapped quality deal flow from around the world. Continue reading ‘Special Event: 2008 Life Sciences Venture Forum’ »