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Without access, the chances for success are limited.  LEN’s mission is to help entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to grow profitable, sustainable businesses.  With every door LEN opens, the chances of success increase.  Data Storage Group (DSG) is a LEN client for whom access was of critical importance in the early stages.  Through an introduction to a local agency, DSG was able to achieve proof of concept very quickly.  LEN introduced them next to a very large potential customer – which led to yet another company, and an immediate pool of customers.

For AnswerOn, LEN provided access to a group of experienced business people from which CEO Eric Johnson assembled an advisory board.  Their role:  to review plans and give feedback. “I truly appreciated the quality of people I met through LEN.  Our relationship was more of a partnership,” said Johnson.   An unexpected benefit:  many of AnswerOn's advisors also became AnswerOn's initial investors.

The LEN advisor network includes more than 800 business professionals from a broad range of disciplines who offer their services pro-bono. Coaching and mentoring relationships often develop as a result.  According to Joe Carey, president and CEO of Fidelity Comptech, “The fundamental benefit of LEN is access to seasoned advisors – who are experienced, who have been through it.”  Advisors also participate in review panels – a process offered to start-ups before going to investors or to market.  “We endeavor to make the review both positive and constructive,” said John Greet, a longtime LEN advisor and consultant.

The actual physical structure of an incubator – literally being housed under the same roof – gives LEN clients the ability to interact with other entrepreneurs. “It’s like walking down Main Street,” said Brian Dodd of DSG.   “It’s all right here.  You can ask for advice.  You can bounce ideas off one another.  We have one thing in common—we’re all trying to find a track to be successful.”

Roadmaps, business plan reviews and advisory boards are all services provided to the entrepreneur by LEN.   “You cannot innovate or create in isolation.  If you do, you’re not optimizing your potential,” said Brian Tsuchiya, President, First Wheel Venture Group.  Although “balance” is not a word found in many entrepreneur’s vocabularies, Tsuchiya believes it’s important to build relationships on more than business.