Business & Tech

GECC Donates to the Snellville Entrepeneur Alliance

As a way to give back to the community that has been so good to it, the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce is donating to chosen charities in the communities of Grayson, Loganville and Snellville.

At the most recent Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the organization donated $500 to the Snellville Entrepreneur Alliance, led by Snellville's Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. 

The Alliance hosts events and summits for aspiring entrepreneurs, along with a "Shark Tank" for Snellville students who are launching their own business. 

"We chose the Snellville Entrepreneur Alliance because GECC is invested in developing the next generation of business owners," said GECC president Jamie Dempsey. "This program benefits the community and the businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce."

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The money will be used to fund the “venture capital” fund for the Shark Tank at South Gwinnett High School, according to Van Otteren.

Last year, a six-person community investor panel heard the students' pitches in a contest much like the hit TV show "Shark Tank." Students gave a five-minute pitch, and then investors spent another five minutes asking hard-hitting questions of the students. Questions centered on long-term goals and growth of their businesses. 

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The big winner for the day was Jon Gayden, whose business, IpodResQ, a personal electronics repair service won $500, and the Investors’ Choice Award of $100. 

"The jury will have total control of the funds," explained Van Otteren. "In other words, the jury members could decide to give all the money to one business or do as the jury did last year when it gave every business some amount of money."

A donation secures a seat for you as a juror on the judges panel. 


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