The West Virginia Entrepreneurs Forum will hear about using a business plan to attract venture capitalists when it meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy on West Virginia Universitys Evansdale campus.

Sharon Stratton, business consultant for Fairmont State College’s Regional Small Business Development Center, and Jim Fairbank, assistant professor of management in WVUs College of Business and Economics, will present a no-nonsense guide toward leveraging the business plan as a tool for seeking venture capital funding.

This informative session will draw on practical experiences obtained through interactions with business owners and CEOs of venture capital firms. The information provided should be considered a critical aid in identifying those targets and objectives that should influence the development of the business plan. All entrepreneurs and emerging business managers are encouraged to attend.

Also, Tom Witt, interim director of WVU ’s Entrepreneurship Center, will present a status report on the new center and its programs. Fairbank, who is also a faculty associate at the center, will also overview the Center’s Callen Program and services that support entrepreneurs.

The WVEF is a newly formed non-profit organization consisting of individuals from the business and technical community interested in promoting the formation and growth of innovative, technology-oriented companies.

WVEF meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are free and open to the public. Monthly programs include networking with a variety of business professionals, including venture capitalists, private investors, industry experts, business service providers, inventors and other successful entrepreneurs. This month’s program is underwritten by the WVU Entrepreneurship Center.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP by Jan. 3 via the”contact us”page on the WVEF website:http://www.wvef.orgor to call Ann Liston at 304-293-5691, ext. 3393. Directions are also provided on the website.