Another idea from pstall being used to save the world.

[pstall]

I mentioned several months ago how the Top 100 companies in the US have close to a TRILLION in CASH.

I proposed the idea to some of those companies and put it out on facebook a few times to use some of that cash for SBA loans or venture capitilism. Well.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/2010-07-06-sams-club-loans_N.htm

Sam's Club says 15% of its business members reported they were denied a loan in a November survey. That's up from 12% in April 2009.

The program will focus on minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.

Sam's Club members who apply for a small business loan during the pilot will receive $100 off the application fee, a 20% discount and a discount on interest rates.

[Jangler]

Saw that on CNN this morning, I just hope it doesn't bite them in the ass.

[cookinwithgas]

If they default, Sam goes after them with his Club.

[mr beauxjangles]

I work for an economic development consulting group and we are constantly working with communities that are trying to develop home grown VC or angel investment. Right now we're working with a client to help them develop a focused VC fund leveraging the financial resources of three Fortune 1000 companies to support startups that are developing technologies which will contribute to sustainable business processes and leaner supply chains within their own operations. The VC market is dead as all hell right now. Many of them are making safer investments - acquiring shares of twitter and other companies. Lots of them are essentially turning into glorified hedge funds. Beyond that, 97% of all VC is awarded to startups in the 100 largest metro areas. That leaves 3% for startups in smaller metro areas (yeah...if you're rural you have no chance at non-traditional capital). And those 3% in the smaller metro area, almost all of them are uprooted by the VC investors who insist that they locate closer to the lcoation of investors so they can match them with a serial entrepreneur (so they all wind up moving to Boston or California or a handful of other places). All that is to say, VC is increasingly becoming a dead end for many startups and communities. Re-engaging the private sector leadership in a region to take a vested interest in supporting startups in their home (HQ location) is where many communities are heading these days. There's no where else to turn.

/diatribe

[theedaddy]

pstall are you a legend in your own mind?

[pstall]

pstall are you a legend in your own mind?

Nope. Just mine and yours.

[pstall]

If they default, Sam goes after them with his Club.

meat is that you?

[Matt Foley]

meat is that you?

You are now on my list.

[pstall]

You are now on my list.

see now you are looking at the glass half empty