Tester announces his 12th Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Bozeman July 13

Event will focus on high-growth companies

(U.S. SENATE) – Building on the success of his 11 previous workshops, Senator Jon Tester today announced his 12th Small Business Opportunity Workshop will be in Bozeman on Friday, July 13.

Tester’s 12th workshop will connect Montana startup companies and entrepreneurs with nationally renowned experts in finance and capital markets, and successful entrepreneurs. 

According to the Kauffman Foundation, a nonprofit think tank focused on entrepreneurship, nearly all net jobs created since 1980 have come from firms five years or younger.  Many of these startups are new businesses in high-growth, innovation-oriented fields.

Tester’s workshop will be held on July 13 in Gaines Hall at Montana State University.  The event will feature panel presentations from investment and market experts.  The panelists will discuss new opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital as a result of Tester’s recently-passed JOBS Act and will highlight the experiences of many successful Montana entrepreneurs.

“Montana has a growing startup community and a number of exciting high-growth businesses that are making great strides in areas ranging from biotech to manufacturing and high technology,” Tester said. “This workshop will bring together Montana’s entrepreneurial community with some of the nation’s top finance and business leaders to provide first-hand insight.”

In addition to presentations, Tester’s event will also feature one-on-one collaboration and networking opportunities for Montana entrepreneurs to connect with the panelists and speakers. 

Tester’s JOBS Act, which was signed into law in April, eases restrictions for small businesses to raise public capital.  Tester added a bipartisan provision that raises the limit on how much money new businesses can raise without filing lengthy paperwork.

Tester’s workshop, which begins at 8 a.m., is free and open to the public.  Montanans interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at tester.senate.gov/workshop.

Tester’s Bozeman workshop builds on the success of his 11 previous small business workshops held across Montana.  More than 2,000 Montana companies and individuals have attended the sessions.

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