Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute

Tomorrow, I will be a Respondent on the Finance Panel at the 5th Annual Stonyfield Entrepeneurship Summit at UNH.  Four years ago, together with Brad Sterl from Rustic Crust, I was the Finance "Case Study" at the Institute.  This was before CEI Community Ventures' initial investment in Rustic, when Brad and I were solidifying our relationship as prospective investor/founder and had a signed term sheet, but still had to raise additional outside equity to complete the minimum amount required for Rustic's Series A round.

The Institute, billed as a "boot camp" for entrepreneurs, is described as "an interactive, intimate venue for networking, storytelling and problem solving."  It's a unique forum featuring case studies in finance, marketing and organizational development. The Case Study entrepreneurs are described by the Institute as a "few brave souls selected to sit on the “hot seat” to have cases they submitted ahead of time explored by professional respondents and fellow participants."  Everything said in the room stays in the room.  And everyone is there to help and support, providing constructive criticism and ideas to help the entrepreneurs. 

Tonight features Seventh Generation Chief Inspired Protagonist/Founder Jeffrey Hollender, providing the "Tales from the Trenches" of the remarkable Seventh Generation growth story.

 This year's forum is fully booked, but if you'd like to go in the future, send an email to Michael Swack at Michael.Swack@unh.edu to make sure you are informed of future summits.