Entrepreneurial Development Training for Economic Development Staff

Jude Conway, CEO of Entrepreneurial Advisors, Inc. (EAI), Clive, Iowa announces the firm’s service expansion into the local and regional economic development market. The services will include training for economic development professionals in entrepreneurial development; fund management; review and due diligence assistance for revolving loan and angel funds; and preparation of entrepreneurial development policies, strategies and plans.

Mr. Conway has been working in the venture capital industry for the past eighteen years and has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurial businesses during this time. He has served on committees, task forces and boards to further entrepreneurial development in the Midwest. He has taught Entrepreneurial Finance at the university level and written articles on the subject of entrepreneurism. Below is a description of courses and services offered to economic development organizations by Entrepreneurial Advisors, Inc,  For additional information or to organize a class in your region e-mail us at entrepreneurialadvisor@live.com or phone: 515-770-4104.

Entrepreneurial Development Primer (4 contact hours)


This course is designed to provide the economic development professional with a basic understanding of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial community. The course will include:

 Definition of Entrepreneurship

 Importance of Entrepreneurial Development as part of an Economic Development Strategy

 Compare and Contrast Business Recruitment and Retention to Entrepreneurial Development

 Provide the Participants with a Basic Understanding of Terminology Used in Entrepreneurial Development

 Provide Participants with a Basic Outline of Best Practices in Regional Entrepreneurial Development

Assessing Entrepreneurial Opportunities (4 contact hours)

This course is designed to enable the economic development professional with the knowledge to determine what stage a young business is in, where it’s strengths and weakness lie and whether the opportunity it presents is small, medium or large. This course will include:

 Discussion of the different stages of company development and where clients fit

 Determining the Merits of an Entrepreneurial Opportunity

 Determining quickly the potential size of each entrepreneurial opportunity

 Developing a referral process to get each entrepreneur the appropriate assistance

Developing Entrepreneurs, Their Network and Their Culture (4 contact hours)

This course is designed to give the economic development professional an understanding of how entrepreneurs work, the environment they work in and what needs each has. This course will include:

 What Entrepreneurs Need/Want

 How working with entrepreneurs differs from working with established businesses

 Business Planning versus a Business Plan and why both are important

 Helping Entrepreneurs find the missing pieces

 Helping Entrepreneurs to better communicate their Vision

 Building a regional network of entrepreneurial services

 Building a positive Entrepreneurial Climate

Entrepreneurial Finance Primer (4 contact hours)

This course is designed to teach the economic development professional the difference between entrepreneurial finance and corporate finance, the types of financing available to entrepreneurs, the basic characteristics of each of these types and the financing process especially as it relates to equity financing. This course will include:

 Types and uses of Capital

 Targeting Investors and Lenders

 Determining Whether a Business can Attract Outside Equity

 Private Equity Continuum

 Benefits and Detriments of Equity Capital

 Institutional Investment Process

 Basics of Valuation

 Reading a Term Sheet

 Entrepreneurial Finance Terminology



Advanced Courses

Entrepreneurial Finance – Evaluating a Term Sheet/Offer (6 contact hours)

Entrepreneurial Finance – Assisting with Pro Forma Development (8 contact hours)

Operating a Regional Angel Investment Fund (6 contact hours)





Customizable Entrepreneurial Services for Economic Development Agencies



Local or Regional Entrepreneurial Assessment

Local or Regional Strategic Entrepreneurship Planning

Angel Fund Management

Review and Assessment of Business Proposals

Review and Assessment of Term Sheets or Investment Proposals



Customizable Services to Entrepreneurial Businesses

Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Advisory Services

Interim CEO or COO Services to Entrepreneurial Companies

Development of Policies and Strategies for new and existing businesses

Review and Assessment of Term Sheets or Investment Proposals

Assist in the Development of Financial Pro Forma

Coaching and Mentoring