Press Releases
January 31, 2000 |
Contact: Jennifer
Bersch |
CED's Conference on Entrepreneurship Features Entrepreneurial Giants Red Hat and Garden.com
Red Hat, Inc., which is the leading commercial provider of the Linux operating system, had a record-breaking IPO in August, and the company's stock continues to climb. With the recent acquisitions of Cygnus Solutions and Hell's Kitchen Systems, Inc., Red Hat's growth has been explosive. And through it all, the company maintains a strong customer focus.
"Technology doesn't win in the marketplace. Finding a hole in that marketplace and providing an answer to a customer need does," said Bob Young, co-founder and chairman of Red Hat in a recent interview in Business Leader.
The conference will also feature Jamie O'Neill, CEO of Garden.com, as keynote speaker. O'Neill was invited because his company represents a "true entrepreneurial success story," said Linda Markus Daniels, chairman of this year's conference steering committee. Garden.com offers the world's largest line of quality gardening and gardening-related products with over 20,000 products from 60 suppliers.
"As the keynote speaker, Mr. O'Neill will provide entrepreneurs attending the conference not only with an inspiration and example, but perhaps more importantly with insights into how he planned for and found success in the fast-paced e-commerce world," Daniels said.
Presented by CED, Business Leader and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, the Conference on Entrepreneurship is a full day of learning, networking and exhibiting designed to prepare entrepreneurs of all stages to take advantages of opportunities for success. Corporate sponsor for this year's conference is StartUp Street.com. The conference will take place Saturday, February 5, 2000 at the Fuqua School of Business on Duke's campus.
"The conference will provide entrepreneurs, and those who work with entrepreneurs, with both an educational and networking opportunity," Daniels said.
The conference regularly draws a diverse attendance. Last year's conference hosted 633 people including entrepreneurs, professionals, members of the media and students. Complete information on the conference can be found on CED's Web site at http://www.cednc.org/coe/2000. Online registration is available on the site through February 3, 2000. A $25 surcharge will be charged to on site registrations on February 5. Press credentials can be received by calling Jennifer Bersch, 919.549.7500, ext. 101.
About CED
The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, located at the CED Entrepreneurship Center in Research Triangle Park, NC, was formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle region. CED provides education, mentoring and capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurs. CED sponsors annual conferences, seminars, workshops and monthly programs on entrepreneurial management and finance. CED also offers the FastTrac entrepreneurial training program, youth programs and other outreach programs.
CED is a private, non-profit organization and is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 3,000 members representing 1000 entrepreneurial companies, financiers and professional firms.