What is the Tri-Valley Innovation Network?

We are the Tri-Valley area’s (Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Ca.) community for entrepreneurs! We work in concert with our local municipalities, business organizations, and education communities to accelerate the creation of new businesses and enhance economic growth here in the Tri-Valley.

We’re a trusted community where entrepreneurs and small business owners can find education, resources, and services to help them take their innovative ideas and convert them quickly into a successful and rewarding business.

What is the Tri-Valley Business Council?

The Tri-Valley Business Council’s mission is to advocate for the private sector on regional issues in a way that enhances the economic vitality of the Tri-Valley.

A business-sponsored, public-policy advocacy organization, the Tri-Valley Business Council represents businesses in the cities of Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. This vibrant region supports 295,866 residents living and working in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and boasts 18,000 companies providing approximately 140,000 jobs with annual payroll/wage figures exceeding $8.5 billion*.

Founded in 1994, the Tri-Valley Business Council is widely respected by elected officials, policy makers and other civic leaders as the definitive voice of businesses in the Tri-Valley. More than 50 industry leading companies support the Tri-Valley Business Council and engage their executives as participating members.

The Tri-Valley Business Council Impacts Public Policy by:

• Forming strategic partnerships with businesses
• Meeting with public officials and serving as a regional convener
• Hosting meetings/events to discuss relevant issues
• Informing businesses and the public with its perspective

* Tri-Valley Business Council Preserving Prosperity Report

What are the program’s features?

We’re a trusted community where entrepreneurs and small business owners can find education, resources, and services to help them take their innovative ideas and convert them quickly into a successful and rewarding business. TVIN’s key services are to:

• Educate: Provide hands-on how-to programs and tools to help entrepreneurs Start, Manage, Grow, and Buy or Sell a business. We also create unique discussion forums such as Ask the Experts and the E(ntrepreneur) to E(ntrepreneur) group. TVIN offers mentoring and business assistance as a unique way for members to get advice from local business people with a wealth of experience.
• Innovate: Provide market news and trends, business ideas, how-to guides, research and academic resources, grant funding and sponsorships and private finance
• Demonstrate: Display and host case studies, articles, interviews, discussion forums, webinars, events, mentoring, investment and video blogs on subjects of importance to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

TVIN provides assistance in finding resources such as mentors, consultants, investors and other service providers. Members can use the secure TVIN platform to build a business plan with self assessment tools, group collaboration to build a plan, and specific analytical tools such as “how to build a cap table”. Other features include blogs and calendars, both for TVIN sponsored events as well as events sponsored by our partners. The events category includes educational events (seminars and workshops), networking events (roundtables) and money raising events (showcases).

How much does it cost?

It's FREE. Just complete an appropriate online registration. There are different sections for each of our communities... entrepreneurs, service providers, investors, and sponsors. Simply select the appropriate community and sign up today.

What are the benefits to Entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs can get help finding key resources, they can get educated, and they can network with other entrepreneurs. The resources they can find include mentors, investors, consultants, and other service providers. They can get educated by attending our seminars, our workshops, roundtables, and showcases. They can also get help in building their business plan. And they can network with others through our events, blogs, and other information sharing areas of the site.

What are the benefits to Investors?

As an active member in TVIN, service companies and consultants will expand their reach and customer base. They will also raise market awareness for themselves and their partners with our members, partners and sponsors. As a mentor or workshop facilitator they will have access to personal contacts at companies throughout the Tri-Valley . and if appropriate they can become a subject expert and author content and columns on their areas of expertise that will be posted on TVIN and across several social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Who is behind the program?

The program was developed by the Tri-Valley Business Council, Pleasanton, CA (www.trivalley.org) from monies received from the economic development departments of the five cities that make up the Tri-Valley (Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon).

Who developed the program?

The program was created under the direction of Toby Brink, President of the TVBC, and led by Rob Schock, Executive Director of TVIN. Other key members of the group include Richard Bullen, Sugata Sanyal and Reena Jadhav.