Entrepreneurship

The City of Nampa is a community which presents great opportunity and institutional support for entrepreneurs. Our City is home to one of the top technology and entrepreneurial centers, Boise State University TECenter, along with the College of Western Idaho (CWI), and Northwest Nazarene University (NNU). In addition, there are many other private and public schools/universities right in our back yard.

Nampa is home to many successful well-known companies and entrepreneurs, that began their journey as small start-up companies. Recognizing that entrepreneurs play a key role in economic development and continued growth in a community, the City of Nampa partnered with the SBDC Business Accelerator (previously known as BSU TECenter) to develop a comprehensive approach to support entrepreneurship in Nampa.

Part of the approach involved the development of an organization called Nampa Entrepreneurs Organized "NEO". This group will aspire to engage entrepreneurs to learn and grow by offering valuable resources in the form of networking and educational events, mentoring programs, technical assistance, resource identification and marketing.

Some of the best examples of entrepreneurship are developing right out of our local SBDC Business Accelerator - Nampa, previously known as BSU TECenter Accelerator facility, and the success stories are never ending. Booklamp, a company focused on creating predictive analytics for readers of literature started at the TECenter in Nampa, and the company was acquired by Apple, Inc.in April of 2014. Dental R.A.T., a simple foot-operated mouse that enables the most effective, consistent hands free-periodontal charting solution available was developed and is now being used in dental offices all over the United States.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Boise Angel Alliance: Helping to connect emerging companies with capital resources

Boise State Venture College: Venture College offers Boise State students a customized self-paced work plan to launch a business or nonprofit venture.

Boise State Center for Entrepreneurship: Boise State University Center for Entrepreneurship develops, facilitates and encourages entrepreneurship through academic programs, research and community outreach.

Boise State Centre for Creativity and Innovation: The Centre helps organizations, people and ideas grow by helping people develop unexpected and unlikely connections—with other organizations, people and ideas.

Governor's Science and Technology Advisory Council: The council is comprised of state officials, university officials, lawmakers and private sector representatives who advise Idaho Commerce, the State Board of Education, state colleges and universities, and other state, local, and federal and private sector agencies and organizations on innovation interests.

Idaho National Laboratory - Patent Information: INL is operated for the Department of Energy and provides unique educational, management, research and scientific assets into a world-class national laboratory.

Idaho Technology Council: The Idaho Technology Council exists to connect, inform and promote the technology companies in Idaho and is dedicated to foster the growth of technology companies in the state, primarily in the areas of information technology, agri-science, and energy

Idaho Commercial Innovation Division: Idaho Department of Commerce Technology and Innovation Division

Kickstand: Helping to pave the way for technology entrepreneurs in the "Boise Valley".

SCORE: SCORE® is a nationwide organization of active and retired business men and women who volunteer their services to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Small Business Administration (SBA): A Lead Economic Development Specialist from the Small Business Administration is located within Nampa. To Schedule an appointment, please contact Irene Gonzalez by email, or by phone at (208) 481-2262 ext. 349

Small Business Development Center: Offers a wealth of free or low-cost information to help educate and support small business owners, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

SBDC Accelerator: Boise State University Technology and Entrepreneurial Center offers three programs to accelerate your startup. "Jumpstart", "Ignite", and "Accelerate". TECenter is a business accelerator offering a full suite of formal and informal services, training, and connections.

TechConnect: "Bridging the gap between entrepreneurial and innovation assets. Supporting the development of innovative companies. Helping existing companies to compete."

TechHelp: TechHelp Manufacturing Specialists provide information and technical/professional assistance that helps Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors accelerate growth and profitability through continuous product and process innovation.

The Core Idaho: Idaho Coalition for Innovation (The CORE) is one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading health sciences, technology and business clusters.

Women's Business Center: Women's Business Center (WBC) provides education and mentoring to women business owners. Their focus is women entrepreneurs, especially those who have been historically under-represented, excluded and are economically disadvantaged. However, they welcome all aspiring entrepreneurs to use their service. They do serve men entrepreneurs as well.

DOWNLOADS & LINKS

Starting a Business In Idaho

Business Templates

Videos about running a business

Financial Calculators

Columns/Blogs by leading small business experts