Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
New England -- BIZ Experiencess located in Connecticut,Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island can now go to thebank for one more service--group health insurance. BankBoston isone of the first large financial institutions to begin offeringhealth insurance to small businesses.
BancBoston Insurance Agency Inc., the bank's subsidiary, isnow offering group health insurance in partnership with the SmallBusiness Service Bureau Inc. to small-business customers with atleast one employee. BIZ Experiencess can choose from one of nine HMOproviders, depending on the company's location, and premiumswill be automatically deducted from their account atBankBoston.
For more information on the services offered by BancBostonInsurance Agency, call (888) 638-5500 or visit your localbranch.
Programs Help State's Start-Ups
Iowa -- Iowa businesses involved in fast-growthindustries can apply for start-up or expansion capital through twoprograms designed to encourage business growth and job creation inthe Hawkeye State.
The BIZ Experiencesial Ventures Assistance (EVA) program offersbusiness owners who have or are in BIZ Experiencesial training from aJohn Pappajohn BIZ Experiencesial Center or the equivalent up to$20,000 for a specific project.
Firms must be located in Iowa and working in biotechnology;recycling; software development or computer-related products;advanced materials such as powdered metals; advanced manufacturing;or medical or surgical instruments. Businesses outside thesesectors are also eligible but must provide strong rationale for howtheir industry enhances Iowa's economy. Businesses working inretail sales, health-care provision or product-distribution areineligible.
BIZ Experiencess needing more than $20,000 may apply for anequity-like investment of up to $100,000 through the VentureProject, which is part of Iowa's Community Economic BettermentAccount.
For more information about EVA, call Georgia Soliday at (515)242-4793; for details on the Venture Project, call Ken Boyd at(515) 242-4819.
Incubator Targets Newly Hatched Tech Firms
Los Angeles -- Fledgling business owners interested in anurturing environment in which to grow their businesses can applyfor tenancy at the Interactive Multitainment Advanced TechnologyCenter, a technology and marketing incubator in Los Angeles.
Companies in the multimedia, software or Internet industries areeligible, as are companies involved in developing technologies forsuch sectors as security and manufacturing. The center is targetingstart-up firms and established businesses that need help togrow.
Initially, the incubator will accept 10 to 30 companies. Itplans to provide Internet access, traditional technical assistanceand marketing help.
According to Tonia McDonald, president of Global BusinessIncubation Inc., the nonprofit corporation developing the incubatorin cooperation with the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency,the incubator will teach teams of 18- to 24-year-olds how to marketto corporations the services and products developed by incubatorclients.
The incubator should open in the late spring. For additionalinformation, e-mail info@cyberparkusa.com or call(213) 689-4424.
Awards And Rewards
National -- The Hammacher Schlemmer Search forInvention 99
Retailer Hammacher Schlemmer isoffering inventors with unmarketed patents chances to win a $5,000grant or one of four $1,000 grants.
The patent must be for an original item and can't be amodification of an existing product. Applications will be acceptedfrom February 1 through May 16. Semi-finalists must then submiteither a working or nonworking prototype for final judging.
For further details and a Search for Invention Kit, call (773)INVENT-1 or visit http://www.hammacher.com
National -- Evan Kemp BIZ ExperiencesshipAward
The President's Committee on Employment of People withDisabilities is looking for BIZ Experiencess with disabilities whohave distinguished themselves in establishing and operating asuccessful business. In addition to national recognition, thewinner will receive a plaque and the cost of travel to the awardsceremony in Washington, DC.
The deadline to submit a nomination is March 1. For moreinformation or to obtain an application, visit the agency's Website at http://www.pcepd.gov orcall (202) 376-6200.
Contact Sources
BankBoston, http://www.bankboston.com
Iowa Department of Economic Development, 200 E. GrandAve., Des Moines, IA 50309
