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A letter from the Central Gulf Coast Private Investor Network

February 17, 2011

To Central Gulf Coast Business Community Leaders,

As a stakeholder in the economic development of our region, we are asking you to support the newly created Central Gulf Coast Private Investor Network (“CGCPIN”).

What is the Central Gulf Coast Private Investor Network?
CGCPIN is an entrepreneur focused high growth business investment network. The CGCPIN’s membership consists of more than 30 individual accredited investors interested in investing in startup and early stage high growth businesses. CGCPIN facilitates the introduction of qualified entrepreneurs to potential investors via the CGCPIN’s online executive summary / application submission process. Entrepreneurs that pass the screening committee will be invited to submit a complete business plan and participate in one of the periodic CGPIN hosted meetings, where they will make a 20 minute presentation to CGCPIN members. The goal is to match entrepreneurs with investors who will put money into new businesses to allow the businesses to expand, and fuel economic development in the region.

CGCPIN members are interested in realizing a substantial return on their investments given the associated risk of early stage investing. CGCPIN members desire to stimulate economic growth in the Central Gulf Coast Region (between Panama City, FL and Ocean Springs, MS).

How does it work?
Entrepreneurs may go to the CGCPIN website at www.cgcpin.com and follow the instructions to submit an application describing his or her business concept for consideration. The application will be reviewed by the CGCPIN screening committee. If the application does not meet minimum standards, the applicant will be advised within 2 weeks, and feedback will be provided. There is no fee for this phase of the process.

Should the entrepreneur’s application pass the screening process, they will be asked to submit an Executive Summary via the CGCPIN website and make a presentation to the membership. The entrepreneur will submit a $200 fee along with the Executive Summary for this stage of the engagement. This is a good opportunity for small business entrepreneurs seeking funding to present their business to accredited, active business investors for funding consideration. There is no guarantee the applicant will get funding. While the goal is to launch or accelerate business growth through private investment, applicants need to be advised upfront that the majority of the deals do not get funded.

How can you support the CGCPIN?
1. First and foremost, we are seeking your organization’s support by referring potential clients to the CGCPIN website. CGCPIN wants to look at deals!

2. Additionally, we are seeking partnerships, promotion and awareness, and CGCPIN sponsors. Please view our website www.cgcpin.com and let us know what you think. Pay particular attention to our sponsorship options and let us know if you would like to sponsor the program. Sponsorship programs range from $500 to $2000. If you have other ideas how we may support your organization, we want to hear them!

All our staff consists of volunteer members. All dues, sponsorship fees and business plan submittal fees will go to marketing and building business community awareness of the CGCPIN to increase the volume of deal flow. The more investment opportunities submitted, the more new businesses we can help create and/or expand in our area. We thank you for your awareness and support. Call us if we may be of assistance or answer questions.

Monty O’Neal
251.895.8157
m.oneal@cgcpin.com

Donny Mecke
251.610.6966
d.mecke@cgcpin.com

NEWS RELEASE

COURSE OFFERS BUSINESS PLAN ASSISTANCE FOR AREA ENTREPRENEURS

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Feb. 16, 2011 – Local entrepreneurs can receive assistance with their business plans from the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center.

Being offered for the third time, the Excellence in Entrepreneurship course will be held from March 1 to April 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) on 418 W. Garden St.

Taught by experienced entrepreneurs, professional service providers and UWF faculty, the dynamic, 10-session course will provide one-on-one consultations and real-world examples to assist in the refinement and completion of a business plan. Deadline to register is March 3.

“The course really helped me with marketing and developing a business plan,” said Erin Butler, president of W4PC Software. “I now know how to talk about my tech-based company so that people outside my industry understand. One thing most startup businesses struggle with is how to approach possible lenders. The course covered financials very well and helped bring my business plan together more firmly. Everyone involved with the classes were great to work with and knowledgeable about their particular areas of interest.”

Sessions cover a variety of topics including business finance, legal issues, marketing, CIE resources, business strategy and entrepreneurial skills.

For more information or questions about how to qualify, call Bridgette Price at (850) 438-4081 or e-mail avpecondev@pensacolachamber.com or visit www.gulfcoastinnovation.com.

NEWS RELEASE

ENGINEERING & PLANNING RESOURCES JOINS PENSACOLA CHAMBER’S INCUBATOR

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Sept. 14, 2010 – Bonita Player, principal of Engineering and Planning Resources (EPR), is the newest tenant of the Gulf Coast Center for Innovation Entrepreneurship (CIE).

CIE is a partnership between the chamber and Pensacola State College, located at the school’s downtown campus on Garden Street. The CIE supports technology-based entrepreneurs who create jobs and can sustain long-term economic growth for the area. Tenants have access to office space and equipment, a conference room and resources from the “Friends of CIE,” comprising accountants, attorneys and business consultants to help meet the needs of their start-up businesses.

“Bonita’s potential to grow her company’s revenues from projects located outside of the Pensacola Bay Area was a critical component to the company’s selection as a client of the CIE,” said Charles Wood, senior vice president of economic development for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

EPR offers specialty transportation engineering and planning, environmental planning, public involvement and civil engineering services. EPR is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in Florida and Virginia.

“Pensacola is a great area because it’s a booming market, it’s growing rapidly and it gives you the opportunity to work with different people in different areas,” said Player. “People here are very giving of their time and resources.”

Player was one of 12 graduates of the chamber’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship course last winter. The 12-session course, which will be offered again this fall, provides one-on-one consultations and real-world examples to assist entrepreneurs in the completion of a business plan.

“The CIE is continuing to seek out new companies that will grow the region’s knowledge and employment base,” said Jim Donatelli, CIE chairman and city president for Regions Financial Corp. “EPR is a welcome addition to the CIE’s client base and has significant growth potential for the Pensacola region.”

For more information on the services of the CIE, call Bridgette Price at (850) 438-4081, e-mail avpecondev@pensacolachamber.com or visit www.gulfcoastinnovation.com.

NEWS RELEASE

COURSE OFFERS BUSINESS PLAN ASSISTANCE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Sept. 23 – Local entrepreneurs can receive assistance with their business plans from the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center.

The Excellence in Entrepreneurship course, from Oct. 12 to Nov. 16, will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) on 418 W. Garden St.

“My participation in the CIE Excellence in Entrepreneurship course allowed me to truly accomplish the task ahead,” said Audrey Austin of Austin IT Consulting, who attended the spring session. “The staff of the Pensacola chamber, Pensacola State College and UWF’s Small Business Development Center, along with the other companies attending the course, made it fun and fostered interpersonal relationships as guest speakers ranging from CEOs, CFOs and entrepreneurs provided real-world experience and tips I never gained from attending business school.”

Sessions cover a variety of topics including business finance, legal issues, marketing, CIE resources, business strategy and entrepreneurial skills.

For more information, call Bridgette Price at (850) 438-4081 or e-mail avpecondev@pensacolachamber.com or visit www.gulfcoastinnovation.com