August 3, 2011
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (July, 19, 2011) – Heritage Commerce Corp. (Nasdaq: HTBK), parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce, announced today that they have donated $25,000 to the newly created Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IEL) at John F. Kennedy University.
The Institute offers students the opportunity to pursue a Certificate Program in Entrepreneurship aimed at providing entrepreneurs with a practical, hands-on education to build their dream business through targeted instruction, discussions, one-on-one mentoring, access to accredited investors, advisors and strategic partnerships. The University also offers a Master in Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurial Leadership.
“As a community business bank we are always looking to partner with and support organizations that encourage local economic growth and development,” stated Bill Del Biaggio, Founding Chairman & Executive Vice President of Heritage Bank. “The IEL is one of the most comprehensive entrepreneurial growth programs available today anywhere. Because the IEL provides on-going support, mentorship and resources to its students, they are able to avoid many of the early pitfalls new business owners face. We are looking forward to working with JFK University on creating new programs and business practices that support sustained economic growth in Contra Costa County.”
In addition to Heritage Bank, several other corporations have stepped forward to support this emerging program, including, the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center and The City of Concord; which, with JFK University, is finalizing arrangements for the creation of a business accelerator complex to provide free office space to student entrepreneurs enrolled in the IEL program to help them get their businesses up-and-running.
“One of the main goals of our program is to help take away the fear and inertia that often exists when people think about starting a business,” stated Dr. Raul Deju, Director of IEL. “By providing the necessary training, mentoring and high-level connections we are able to help our students supplement the areas where they might not be as strong and give them the confidence they need to be successful. We are very grateful for Heritage’s financial support in continuing this goal and look forward to working with them on creating a series of educational entrepreneurship and business workshops.”
JFK University’s main campus is located at located at 100 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. To learn more about the Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership, please visit www.jfku.edu/IEL.