Jim Coonan to Speak at Klamath Idea Talks - Jan 17th
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Jim Coonan: Entrepreneur Investor, Entrepreneurship Advocate
2017-2018 IDEA Talks Series Continues With Investor/Entrepreneur Jim Coonan
The Klamath IDEA (Inspire Development, Energize Acceleration) will host an IDEA Talk on Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at MC’s on Main.
“We are very excited to kick off the new year and continue the momentum we’ve built behind Klamath’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Kat Rutledge, leader of Klamath IDEA and director of the Klamath Community College (KCC) Small Business Development Center.
This month’s presenter is Tigard, Ore., businessman, investor, and entrepreneur, Jim Coonan. Most recently, Coonan was the executive director of RAIN (Regional Accelerator Innovation Network), a Willamette Valley collaborative initiative focused on leveraging development assets in support of entrepreneurial activity. Prior to that, Coonan served as the venture catalyst manager for EDCO (Economic Development of Central Oregon). His professional career also includes a stint as director of business alliances for the Oregon University System, and he has held executive leadership positions at multiple companies in the consumer products, defense/aerospace, telecom, software and agriculture sectors.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Coonan has also served as chair of the Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN) and Portland Angel Network, and as a volunteer director on the boards of OEN, Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) and the Oregon Growth Board. In addition, he has served as an advisory board member for Mount Hood Equity Partners and Northwest Technology Ventures.
Coonan is currently invested in about 30 startup companies. He holds a master of business administration from Northwestern University (marketing and finance), and a bachelor of arts from Stanford University.
“We are thrilled to have attracted a presenter with Mr. Coonan’s amazing entrepreneurial background to join us this month. He has experienced great success in the areas of entrepreneurship and startup funding, and we’re grateful that he’s willing to share some of that expertise with our IDEA Talks participants,” Rutledge said.
Klamath IDEA is a community initiative dedicated to supporting the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The 2017-2018 season has been generously sponsored by Klamath Community College and the KCC Small Business Development Center.
IDEA Talks are gatherings designed as a networking opportunity for those with an entrepreneurial mindset, and who are interested in learning, networking, and being inspired. Each gathering features one or more guest speaker discussing an inspirational or educational-entrepreneurial-related topic. IDEA Talks bring entrepreneurs of all ages, founders, business owners, innovators, and support organizations together under one roof to hear about and discuss opportunities, needs, and great ideas for starting a business, expanding a business, or getting support in the process.
“We believe embracing and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit has the potential to bring the community together to reshape the economic foundation of our region,” Rutledge said.
MC’s on Main is located at 617 Main St. in downtown Klamath Falls. Light refreshments, prepared by MC’s on Main, will be available, as well as a no-host bar. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation starts at 6:15 p.m. Admission is $5 (cash only) at the door. The admission fee helps to sustain the Klamath IDEA initiative.
About Klamath Idea Talks
These gatherings are designed to bring together entrepreneurs of all ages, founders, business owners, innovators and support organizations under one roof to hear about and discuss opportunities, needs, and great ideas for starting a business, expanding a business, or getting support in the process.
About Klamath Idea
Klamath IDEA is a community initiative dedicated to creating wealth and prosperity for the communities of South Central Oregon by supporting the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.