The Edward Lowe Foundation’s entrepreneurship initiatives are focused on second-stage companies — growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but haven’t yet reached maturity. Their peer learning, leadership education and strategic information programs are geared to help these companies continue growing. They also educate communities about the challenges second-stagers face and how to work with them.
To scale their impact, the foundation delivers its programs to second-stagers through other entrepreneur support organizations, which includes chambers of commerce, small business development centers, technology councils and economic development agencies. Although many programs are conducted on their partners’ turf, such as PeerSpectives CEO roundtables and Economic Gardening, the foundation hosts leader retreats and facilitator training at Big Rock Valley (BRV), their headquarters in southwest Michigan.
Special Guest: Penny Lewandowski, Vice President of External Relations and Strategic Direction