In 2003, the RBC piloted an innovative support system called MyEntre.Net, catering to the unique needs of Iowa’s 100,000+ small business owners. MyEntre.Net is an entrepreneurship development system consisting of an online social network and free web-based entrepreneurial resources, coupled with collaboratively driven services and capital for entrepreneurs in Iowa.
MyEntre.Net was implemented through an annual competitive selection process in 13 rural Iowa counties and one urban center between 2003 and 2008. In May of 2009, the online resources of MyEntre.Net were re-launched as an interactive statewide online community serving all small business owners with live, interactive education, Webinars, peer learning and other business services. Today, the collective expertise of the MyEntre.Net team insures individually customized technical assistance, quality referrals and rapid access to capital for pre-venture and existing small firms statewide.
The Regional Business Center at the University of Northern Iowa is wholly dedicated to the creation and implementation of innovative approaches to identify, attract and connect Iowa entrepreneurs with the resources and services available in the state to serve them. The University of Northern Iowa Regional Business Center (RBC) was established in 2001. Today the RBC hosts three initiatives central to business start up, expansion and job creation in the state of Iowa; Incubation Services, the regional SBDC and MyEntre.Net.
