Venture Funds
Venture Capital
Pacific Community Ventures
Pacific Community Ventures (formerly Silicon Valley Community Ventures) opened its doors in 1999 to develop and invest in businesses providing economic gains to low/moderate income (LMI) communities in California. PCV helps companies in traditionally overlooked areas to gain access to capital, business advice, and critical business resources that will accelerate company growth. Currently, PCV targets existing businesses throughout California, but has a particular focus on the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and the Central Valley. By connecting its portfolio companies with the people and resources of the region's vibrant business network, PCV aims to create a vital new network that transcends barriers and reaches across communities. It is located in the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
For more information:
Tracewell Hanrahan
Manager, Central Valley Services
Pacific Community Ventures
559-238-5588
thanrahan@pcvmail.org
http://www.pacificcommunityventures.org
Central Valley Fund
The Central Valley Fund ("CVF") has been established by the principals of Gael Partners, LLC to provide mezzanine capital for small to mid-sized California Central Valley businesses. Its purpose is to finance later stage growth, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions and recapitalizations. CVF provides the layer of a company’s capital structure between senior debt and common equity often referred to as mezzanine capital. For companies with a track record of profitability that cannot obtain desired levels of bank financing, raising mezzanine capital is frequently a superior alternative to raising additional common equity. CVF focuses on growing California Central Valley firms with at least $5M in revenues and $1M in cash flow. Our target investment is between $2 million and $5 million and typically takes the form of subordinated debt or preferred equity. It is located in the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
For information:
M. Todd Stemler
Vice President
Gael Partners LLC / Central Valley Fund LP
Direct: 559.294.6668
Mobile: 559.906.1318
Fax: 559.294.6655
http://www.centralvalleyfund.com
Bulldog Capital Partners LLP
Bulldog Capital Partners LLP, also known as the Bulldog Fund, has formally launched and will invest in start-up and early stage companies located in the San Joaquin Valley. The Fund is seeking additional capital commitments during the next few months in order to reach its goal of $2.5 million in total capital commitments. Managed by Fairview Management I, LLC, the Bulldog Fund will support new companies that can benefit from the advantages of the excellent infrastructure, labor base, educational facilities and geographical location of the San Joaquin Valley. It is located in the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
For information:
R. Stephen Heinrichs
Fairview Management Principal
775-691-2217
Business Services at Fresno State:
The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State is engaged in a widespread campaign to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers consulting and evaluation services for innovators and entrepreneurs. Programs cover a broad range of services, to students, entrepreneurs and more advanced companies. The Lyles Center offers consulting and evaluation services for innovators and entrepreneurs by helping them in business plan development and networking. Kauffman Internship Program provides graduate students and entrepreneurial firms expertise in growing their businesses. Students receive a $2,800 stipend for a minimum of 150 hours of work. The program is partially funded by the Kauffman Foundation. For information: Fill out an information sheet at the center website, http://www.lylescenter.com or call 559.294.2045.
The University Business Center
The UBC’s mission is to increase community economic development through providing direct services and resources to Central Valley businesses to increase job creation and business success. The UBC offers several programs geared toward businesses. Accelerator Online is a nine-week business plan development course. “Going Global” targets companies that are interested in exporting or seeking new markets, provide faculty training and the Central California Small Business Development Center offers a plethora of services described in the next section. For information: 559.278-2352
Central California Small Business Development Center
The CCSBDC offers specialized training programs to meet the unique needs of businesses and their staff. Training and education is also offered on topics of interest and importance to entrepreneurs, business owners and managers. These practical workshops provide companies with the competitive edge to help them survive and thrive. Workshops are held on a regular basis. The CCSBDC has a reference library with Internet access available to the public, offering publications and videos on a variety of subjects designed to assist in successfully running a business. The CCSBDC also provides consulting services. Fees are paid by CCSBDC funding partners and are free to qualified clients. Areas of consulting include, but are not limited to:
- Business Loan Packaging
- Marketing & Advertising
- Strategic Business Planning
- Cash Flow Management
- Business Expansion
- Export/Import
- Government Procurement
- Business Structure
For information (559) 230-4056 or on the web at http://www.ccsbdc.org
The Central Valley Business Incubator is geared to train budding entrepreneurs through a nine-week business plan development course, and provides its tenants and existing businesses with a wealth of consulting. The Central Valley Business Incubator is a program unlike any other in California's Central Valley. Designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for the Central Valley, CVBI offers business development services and physical resources to ensure the success of local start-up companies. Whether you are just thinking about starting a business, are launching a company, or have an established business that you want to grow, the Central Valley Business Incubator offers an array of classes, opportunities and resources to help you achieve your goals. For information: 559-292-9033 or on the web at http://www.cvbi.org
Chambers of Commerce
The Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Wells Fargo Bank have created a “peer” base Micro Loan Program for the Hispanic business community. The loans range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can be used for typical business expenditures purchases of equipment and inventory, start-up expenses, materials and supplies, advertising and working capital. The purpose for this program is to help start up business that have had a difficult time getting conventional bank financing by giving them a low-interest loan and ultimately getting them ready for larger loans with financial institutions. The FAHCC loaned a total of $750,000 to new and existing businesses at the end of 2005. The Chamber also sponsors several workshops throughout the year. For information: (559) 222-8705 or on the web at http://www.fahcc.org/
Central California Chamber of Commerce offers a plethora of resources to fledgling entrepreneurs and existing businesses, a tax center, information on how to start a business, business loans and procurement. More importantly, the Chamber has been very involved in addressing the quality of life for the Hispanic community. Throughout the year, the CCHCC works diligently to host several events in an effort to promote and revitalize the local Hispanic business economy and, as such, is an important resource for Valley business. The Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been very involved in addressing the quality of life for the Hispanic community. Throughout the year, the CCHCC works diligently to host several events in an effort to promote and revitalize the local Hispanic business economy and, as such, is an important resource for Valley business. For information: 559-495-4817 or 559-485-6640 or on the web at http://www.cchcc.net/contact.html
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of business and professional people. The Chamber harnesses the talent and imagination of this resource in planning and carrying out sound programs for the economic well being of its members and the community. The Chamber seeks to unite the industrial, business, professional, and civic interests for the purpose of concerted action in supporting those activities which are broader than any single business or industry, but which promote the welfare of Fresno, the metropolitan Fresno area, and Fresno County as a whole. It is one of the largest in California with a membership of more than 1900 businesses. The largest business organization in the region, Chamber membership includes CEOs of both large and midsize corporations, small business owners and individual entrepreneurs. Small businesses represent 80 percent of membership. To encourage the growth and economic development of the greater Fresno area, Chamber committees provide members with the opportunity to participate and provide input on key issues. Chamber leadership is involved throughout the wider community, encouraging vision, cooperation and consistency in long-range regional planning and decision-making. Events, projects and programs are designed and implemented to enhance the economic development of the greater Fresno area. For information, (559) 495-4816 or on the web at http://www.fresnochamber.com/chamber/index.asp
The Central California Black Chamber of Commerce’s site was under construction at the time the EDC’s website was constructed. Its web site address is http://www.sjvbcc.org/
Export Assistance
The Craig School’s International Business Programs - The UBC and the International Business Program at the Craig School of Business are collaborating on “Going Global”, an on-line export marketing and business plan program. Going Global provides student teams to companies to conduct market research and develop export strategies, offer faculty training and the opportunity for students to study abroad. It is funded through the Department of Education's Title VI B grant, Business and International Education Program. For information: For information call Dr. Ali Peyvandi at (559) 278-4653.
The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce is a federal government agency dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized companies with their exporting strategies. Its experienced staff of International Trade Specialists located in the Fresno U.S. Export Assistance Center serves this highly diverse and multi-cultural business community. The center is part of an international network consisting of 105 U.S. Export Assistance Centers across the country and 165 offices in 82 countries. Its domestic and international offices are directly linked through a worldwide communications and information network which offers a unique and valuable service to U.S. exporters. Services include consulting and advocacy, market research, international partners, trade finance, trade events and online services. For information: (559) 227 6582 http://www.buyusa.gov/fresno/
The Center for International Trade Development provides solutions for businesses, public agencies, and individuals seeking assistance in international trade and commerce. Whether its computers, fresh produce, or equipment, the center will tell you what documents are required by importing countries, caution you about potential trade barriers, and work with you to find a workable solution to your particular export need. CITD’ goal is to make it easier for you to get your products into foreign markets. The center offers export training, research, trade shows, international shipping and logistics and international payment methods. For information: (888) 638-7888 or (559) 241-6566 or on the web at http://www.exportcenter.net/