Presentation slides from Jerry Smith's talk on Delta Entrepreneur Network and other initiatives at Arkansas State University.

1. Delta Entrepreneurship Network
Developing an entrepreneurial eco-system for Northeast Arkansas

2. Companies less than five years old account for
all of the net job growth in our country
between 1980 and 2005. These firms have the
potential to one day employ hundreds, if not
thousands of workers.
These high-growth startups can be in any
industry and from any region of the country.

3. States are emphasizing job creation
from within the state. States
are increasingly emphasizing policies and programs
To provide customized services to startup companies
and high-growth companies located within their own borders…
States are raising expectations for universities
to bridge the gap between research and
commercialization. States are interested in how
they can help their universities (and other sources of new
technologies) to be more outward looking and to commercialize
their research into new patents, products,
and companies. They are streamlining access
to university and federal lab research and
encouraging cross-university efforts
and innovation hubs

4. Helping entrepreneurs
start, grow, and renew businesses is one of
the most important things a government can do to
create jobs and raise living standards.
It should be a priority at all levels of government, as well as
for a whole variety of institutions, including universities, economic development
offices, industry associations,
and chambers of commerce.

5. Put entrepreneurial activity at the top of the
state’s economic agenda.
Find the potential high-growth companies
and help them grow.
Cast a wide net to find entrepreneurs.
Teach entrepreneurship skills and attitudes
at all education levels.
Build a startup environment and culture.

6. only 2 percent of annual job gains across
states
can be attributed
to business relocations
Yet, …in fiscal year 2013 states are planning to
devote 26.9 percent more
of their economic development funds
to strategic business attraction
than they did in fiscal year 2012

8. 1. Organize the investors
2. Make connections
3. Provide support

10. Paragould
Jonesboro
Hardy
Osceola
Marion
Newport
Wynne
Walnut
Ridge/Pocahontas/Corning
Blytheville
Piggott

11. EVENTS
• Gone In 60 Seconds
• ARK Challengetype events
• Inventors meetings new business ideas fast pitch
contests
• Business plan competitions
• Virtual events held via the Internet

13. What factors would be most
important to young people in
selecting a rural community to
live in?

16. The “Brain Gain”
• Among the findings is the number of rural counties
that experienced gains in the 30–49 age group
• Harrisburg growth, age 30-49, 531 in 2000 to 599
in 2010

18. Delta Entrepreneurship Network
Delta Center for Economic Development
Funding support provided by the
U.S. Economic Development Administration
For more information, contact:
Jerry L. Smith
870-680-8273
jerry@astate.edu
Follow us:
@KoalaGuy
/ASU.DCED.RCD