Gulf Coast Venture Forum President Speaks at FastTrac™ Entrepreneurial Program

Naples, FL, August 14, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is pleased to announce that Tim Cartwright, President of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum (GCVF) in Southwest Florida, was the guest speaker for the FastTrac™ Entrepreneurial Program on August 10, 2009 in Estero, Florida.

The FastTrac™ Growth Venture Entrepreneurial Program is a ten-week, three hour per week opportunity for participants to focus on improving and growing all aspects of their businesses. Attendees explored the essential tools of small business success including understanding financial information and creating affordable marketing plans. The program also offered guidance on ways to focus, bootstrap, plan, and strategize to improve profits and grow sales.

Cartwright shared information about the Tamiami Angel Fund and the fund raising environment in Southwest Florida. He addressed the issue of business growth from private investors, what investors are looking for and how to present a business plan in the most effective way.

The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is a group of Southwest Floridians dedicated to making our region’s new and emerging businesses successful. The Forum promotes the success of the region's new and emerging businesses by bringing together entrepreneurs, educational resources, capital providers and service providers. The group also offers informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. Members of the Forum meet monthly to hear about local investment opportunities. To encourage capital investments in Southwest Florida businesses, the Forum seeks to identify sources of private equity investment and venture capital.

The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is always open to new members. Monthly meetings are scheduled October through June each year. The GCVF is also available to provide speakers to local organizations who want to learn more about the organization. Interested parties are encouraged to view www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300.

Members of the GCVF meet monthly to hear about local investment opportunities, offer informative educational programs and to provide a place for the sharing and exchanging of business and technical experience. To encourage capital investments in Southwest Florida businesses, the GCVF seeks to identify sources of private equity investment and venture capital. Monthly meetings are scheduled October through June each year. GCVF is also available to provide speakers to local organizations that want to learn more about the purpose of the GCVF and local investment opportunities.

Gulf Coast Venture Forum is always open to new members. Interested parties must qualify as an accredited investor as defined by the US SEC and are encouraged to view the website at www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300 for more information.

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