Senator Hassan Hosts Innovate NH Entrepreneurship Forum
Senator Hassan hosts the Innovate NH Entrepreneurship Forum.
MANCHESTER – Building on her efforts to make it easier to start up and grow innovative businesses in the Granite State, Senator Maggie Hassan today hosted the Innovate NH Entrepreneurship Forum featuring interactive workshops for entrepreneurs from across the state.
The workshops covered critical “how-to” topics to get small businesses off the ground and make them successful, including learning to fund an idea; seeking out resources and support; creating a business plan; rural entrepreneurship; managing social media as a startup; women business ownership; and more.
“I was excited to host the Innovate NH Entrepreneurship Forum and bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and advisors to discuss what steps we can take to best help new businesses get off the ground and drive our economy forward,” Senator Hassan said. “As Governor and now as Senator, I have made it a priority to support innovative, job-creating businesses throughout our state, and our Innovate NH Forum is a continuation of those efforts that I hope will serve as a vital resource for those looking to start or grow a business in the Granite State. I will continue working to ensure that our entrepreneurs are given the support and resources necessary to create a new business that will thrive in the 21st century innovation economy.”
As part of her efforts to support New Hampshire’s entrepreneurs, the first bill Senator Hassan introduced was the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators (ROI) Act, which would help provide the student loan debt relief necessary for entrepreneurs to start up and grow innovative small businesses. The ROI Act provides additional incentives for startup companies in economically distressed areas by making founders and employees of small businesses in qualifying areas eligible for cancellation of up to $20,000 in student loans. Additionally, the Senator pushed for bipartisan legislation – which has now been signed into law – that supports career and technical education programs, which will help strengthen the workforce pipeline and give our businesses the workforce they need to thrive.
The Innovate NH Entrepreneurship Forum is a continuation of then-Governor Hassan’s work to expand economic opportunity and support job-creating businesses. As part of the “Innovate NH plan” she developed and implemented as Governor, Maggie Hassan successfully worked to strengthen the workforce by freezing in-state tuition at New Hampshire’s public colleges and universities, double the state’s research and development tax credit, provide businesses with technical assistance, and increase international trade assistance. As Senator, she is working to continue and build on those efforts.
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