II. Business Resource Organizations DC Agenda The Mason Enterprise Center The Michael D. Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship DC Agenda Location: 1155 15th St., NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005-2706 Tel.: 202-223-2598 Fax: 202-223-2604 E-Mail: info@dcagenda.org Website: http://www.ncbn.org/directry/profiles/DCAgenda.html Type of members: The vast majority of DC Agenda's work involves strategic collaboration. The agency provides neither direct service nor funding. Its strength lies in its ability to bring diverse stakeholders together in a neutral setting and provide them with the information, staff and technical assistance necessary to create and advance a common agenda. Number of members: Key mission of group: The mission of DC Agenda is to mobilize community leaders to create a city that works - a vibrant mosaic of communities working together to ensure that Washington is a great place to call home, do business and to visit. Other interests: As DC Agenda pursues its mission, mindful of its core values, it balances between several poles: to serve action and advocacy agents without becoming an advocate; to maintain a core funded capability without jeopardizing the funding of local stakeholders; to effectively communicate initiatives and accomplishments of community stakeholders without marketing itself; to facilitate results, while performing a service to the community-building process; and to promote and participate in the change process without becoming the change agent. Advocacy is not a primary function of DC Agenda, but the organization does inform and educate the advocates, including the public and officials, on results of studies and positions taken on issues like governance, human services delivery, fiscal policy, and economic development strategy for the District. The Mason Enterprise Center Location: 4031 University Drive Suite 200, MS 1B6 Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 Telephone: 277-7700 Fax: 277-7700 Web site: http://www.ecenter.org/ Type of members: No membership; serves clients. Its client base is extremely diverse. Ranging from pre-start ups to companies with revenue exceeding $50 million. Most of its clients are already in business (70%), with the median size range being $250,000 - $500,000 in revenue. Clients reflect the regional economy - high concentrations of technology firms, consulting firms and government contractors. Key mission of group: The Mason Enterprise Center for Regional Analysis and Entrepreneurship aims to incorporate the ideas of innovation and entrepreneurship into the economy and society of the region. To accomplish these objectives, the Center is focusing the energy, skills and intellectual capital of George Mason University on enterprise creation, expansion and restructuring. The Mason Enterprise Center is managed by The Institute of Public Policy. Objectives: The Mason Enterprise Center represents a significant effort by George Mason University to more aggressively engage the region's business community. Our objectives are to: Provide services that create, expand, and improve organizations Integrate entrepreneurship into the curriculum at George Mason University Provide insight into how regional economies work Promote the development of a more entrepreneurial culture in the National Capital Region. Other interests: The Mason Enterprise Center has substantial expertise working with organizations in the following areas: Business Planning Business Start-up Capital Formation Economic Modeling Emerging Technology Companies Government Contracting Incubators International Trade Microenterprise Development Regional Analysis Strategic Planning Telework Formed by joining the Entrepreneurship Center and the Center for Regional Analysis, the Mason Enterprise Center has over a decade of experience assisting companies and government agencies. In addition to the areas of expertise listed above, the Mason Enterprise Center has access to a powerful network of experts within George Mason University and the Region. We are highly focused on providing our clients with services that add value to their organization. To achieve this, we aim to deploy our expertise and the expertise of our network in a flexible and effective manner. We provide companies with consulting, data analysis, facilitation, research and shared facility services. Additionally, the Mason Enterprise Center conducts seminars and conferences related to our areas of expertise. Our services are delivered by Mason Enterprise Center staff, George Mason University Faculty and Students, as well as experts from within this region. To find out more about how the Mason Enterprise Center can help your organization call us at (703) 277-7700. The Michael D. Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship Location: The Robert H. Smith School of Business Van Munching Hall University of Maryland College park, MD 20742-1815 Telephone: 301-405-2144 Fax: 301-314-9152 Web site: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman Type of members: No membership; serves clients. The center serves as a link to many University of Maryland System resources. In particular, the center has a close working relationship with the Engineering Research Center, providing management services to companies located in the Technology Advancement Program, a business incubator on the College Park campus. The center also collaborates with the University of Maryland Baltimore County in co-sponsoring the Entrepreneur Series of roundtables, workshops and short courses. Key mission of group: The Dingman Center facilitates, supports and encourages entrepreneurship and new enterprise growth in the Mid-Atlantic region through outreach, education and research. With its office at the University of Maryland at College Park, the Center is at the heart of one of the fastest growing regions for start-up and high-technology businesses. Other interests: Dingman Center management is active in speaking to various civic, service, professional and other organizations as well as at conferences in order to enhance the image of the university and to raise awareness for Dingman Center programs.