October 02, 2008

Community and business leaders will get a chance to “invest” $1 million in businesses with potential to energize the regional economy at the Central Valley Stock Exchange from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16.

The event, for which investors pay $65 to participate, is also an opportunity for volunteers in the mentorship program of the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno to do a little work – registering participants, running trade notes, etc. – and get a close-up look at how business gets done.

“In order to grow the Central Valley’s economy, we must invest in local companies, which develop and create job growth and wealth for our area,” said Craig Scharton, CEO of the sponsoring Central Valley Business Incubator.

In play at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building are real startup businesses hoping to make a success of their good ideas. The evening of entrepreneurs pitches’ and the participants’ ersatz investments is a learning experience and an opportunity to gauge the likelihood of attracting actual financial support.

The evening also is a prelude to the Lyles Center’s third annual Central Valley Venture Forum on Oct. 17.

For more information, contact Nancy Kobata at the Lyles Center, 559.347.3921.