MEDIA ADVISORY
UNH Professors Discuss State Economy At Breakfast Forum Nov. 17

Contact: Lori Wright
603-862-0574
UNH Media Relations

Nov. 15, 2004



WHAT: Jeff Sohl, professor of decision sciences, and Ross Gittell, professor of management, at the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics, will present a preview of their research on the critical area of entrepreneurial start-up funding and the state’s shifting economy at the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum.
 
WHEN: 7:30-9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004
 
WHERE: Redhook Ale Brewery, Pease International Tradeport, Portsmouth, N.H.
 
BACKGROUND: Jeff Sohl has been researching the national trend of entrepreneurial start-up funding for NetworkNH, a coalition of business and academic leaders working together to build a strong economic future for New Hampshire. The final report is scheduled to be released in January, so this is an opportunity for chamber members and policy makers to get a jump on the research findings. The preliminary report shows that angel investors are moving away from putting money into seed and start-up companies. According to Sohl, it’s a trend that could prove crippling to the New Hampshire economy given that 20 percent of small innovative start-up companies account for more than 80 percent of the state’s job growth.
 
Ross Gittell will speak on what’s hot and what’s not in the New Hampshire economy, compare the state’s performance to New England and the nation, and present a forecast for the future of high-tech, manufacturing and entrepreneurial ventures.
 
Admission is $12 for chamber members and $15 for nonmembers. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP the Portsmouth Chamber by contacting Diane Burch at (603) 436-3988, ext. 13, or e-mail dburch@portsmouthchamber.org.