Peoria NEXT at League meeting on Sat.

PEORIA -- Kyle Ham, President/COO of Peoria NEXT, will speak to the Peoria Area League of Women Voters at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at Childers Banquet Center at Forrest Hill and Dries Lane -- a change from the previous location of the Landmark Health Club.

Here's a chance to quiz  Ham on the inside scoop on Firefly, a battery manufacturer start-up working with Peoria Next which is filing for bankruptcy.  Peoria taxpayers backed a $6 million loan to the company.

Background: Peoria NEXT Innovation Center is a business incubator which uses new models of business growth and job generation. The Innovation Center focus is on the development of new technology companies by enhancing entrepreneurial skills, aiding the creation of business strategies, and acquiring venture funding so these businesses can commercialize innovative ideas into successful free standing businesses.

As the President/COO, Kyle Ham evaluates, and coordinates all projects, policies, programs, strategies and activities for Peoria NEXT.

Within these technology incubator models, the role of small businesses and entrepreneurs has become particularly important for the continued prosperity of local economies. Studies show that the vast majority of small start-up enterprises fail within the first 2-5 years of operation. The limited success of small technology companies is attributable to an overall lack of capital funding and limited understanding of contemporary business practices. However, start-up enterprises that progress through business incubation programs and facilities have a 90 percent survival rate. In addition, almost 85 percent of firms locate within the community following their incubator graduation.

Kyle Ham previously served as Vice President for the Heartland Partnership where he served as:  Manager of the Central Illinois Angel’s Network (a group of individual investors), Peoria NEXT Commercialization and Innovation Team Leader and Exec Committee member, Exec Director of the Heartland Community Development Corporation, Asst Fund Manager for the Tri-County Venture Capital Fund, VP of the Heartland Commerce & Economic Development Foundation, and Asst Secretary of the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District (Transport). Kyle worked for 5 years in various capacities for the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and served a 4 year term as Mayor of the City of Toulon.

The meeting is free and open to the public. An optional breakfast takes place at 8:45 a.m.  Call 685-9391 for reservations. -30-