The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) was founded in 2003 with a mission to stimulate economic growth through the creation and expansion of high-impact businesses. Fast forward 17 years and the EDC has now supported more than 1,100 Iowa businesses who have generated over $3 billion of positive economic impact. The connections and ecosystem the EDC has created has been even more important than its hands on work with clients. The organization is led by Curt Nelson and his team of four employees.

EDC clients consist of startup, early-stage, and established businesses. The EDC provides all-encompassing services from determining market opportunity for a product, creating a plan for capitalization and growth, planning ability to scale efficiently and effectively, and strategic planning expertise.

EDC uses a proven methodology for identifying the strengths and opportunities of a business, its team, and its leadership. Using CEO Curt Nelson’s book, The Recipe for Business Success as curriculum, the EDC team takes business owners through a rubric to score their current business situation and identify an action plan for growth. The EDC also uses the Caliper® profile to identify a leader’s natural strengths as well as areas where improvement may be needed. This tool is also used to help leaders assemble highly effective and balanced work teams. Throughout this process milestones are determined in agreed upon increments each year going forward.

Curt and the staff at the EDC have the experience and proven track record necessary to provide hands on support in a manner not available from any other resource. In addition to one-time advice and longer-term mentoring when needed, the EDC can become an extension of your team providing hands-on, “helping you do it” assistance in multiple areas. To learn more, see the EDC website. To work with the EDC, fill out a brief application here.

Marion Economic Development Corporation recently hosted EDC staff for a Startup Exchange Meetup. WATCH THAT SESSION HERE.