• Training, Educating  and Networking
• TEN Contacts
• Board of Directors

The Entrepreneurs Network is one of Upstate New York's fastest growing initiatives designed to bolster economic growth by supporting life sciences, technology-based, and/or scalable, high-revenue potential firms. TEN provides access to national resources, offering programs that train, educate and foster connections critical for helping high-growth companies succeed.

The mission of The Entrepreneurs Network is to promote and enhance job growth and business creation in Upstate New York’s life sciences, technology-based, and/or scalable, high-revenue firms by providing practical, hands-on education and training programs, as well as access to those resources critical for these companies to succeed.

TEN offers Boot Camps and private Roundtable Discussions for TEN members, as well as Lunch & Learn events that are open to the public. Program topics include: securing venture capital, forming strategic alliances, defining market strategies, sales effectiveness, leadership tactics and other practical information necessary to compete in today's competitive business environment.

TEN serves a regional audience spanning Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca, capturing the best and brightest minds in Upstate New York.

Training, Educating  and Networking

Training - Interactive coaching sessions provide real-time feedback from expert coaches, as well as other TEN Members, and offer a confidential atmosphere in which to discuss business issues.

Educating - National experts provide TEN Members with the tools and best practices that are most relevant to early stage companies.  Program topics include business planning, financing strategies, sales effectiveness, strategic partnering and leadership tactics.

Networking - Top local and national speakers take part in TEN programs providing contacts critical to a growing company's success.  Additionally, TEN Members benefit from relationships formed with the growing network of other TEN Members.

TEN Contacts

Jean Kase, Executive Director

Jean Kase is the executive director of The Entrepreneurs Network. She brings 22 years of public and private expertise.

Rooted in the Rochester community, Jean Kase has an extensive network on the local, state and federal levels.  Rochester Procurement Technical Assistance Center, (PTAC), is one of seven official Department of Defense programs in the state, 99 clients were awarded $129 million in contracts from 2004- 2007, resulting in the creation and retention of 2,568 jobs.  She served as director from 2003-2005 and returned to the PTAC team in 2007 at the request of Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.

As vice president of government relations for the Rochester Business Alliance and its predecessor, the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, Jean Kase served as the principal lobbyist representing 2,100 member firms in government matters affecting the regional business climate.  In this capacity, she advised CEO’s on legislative and political issues.  Key successes included coordinating the Common Sense Medicaid Coalition estimated to save Monroe County $47 million in 2007, organizing grassroots business and editorial support to facilitate enactment of broad-based and targeted tax relief packages – saving employers $2 billion since 1995, and coordinating the International Business Council advocacy of the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement – and was recognized by the U.S Chamber of Commerce for delivering key support for the 217-215 victory.

In forging greater collaboration between The Chamber and Small Business Council of Rochester, Jean Kase launched the area’s first CEO Roundtable program in 1990 and grew the program to more than 150 members.  She also managed the Start-Up Resource program which connected emerging firms with mentors from successful companies.

Jean Kase provides clients with advocacy, business development and project management services.  She earned her undergraduate degree at St. John Fisher College and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology. 

TEN Advisory Board

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive

Theresa Mazzullo, Chair, County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA); CEO, Excell Partners, Inc.

John (Jack) McGowan, Consultant, Insyte Consulting, Buffalo

Stephen Moore, Partner/VP Moore Corporate Real Estate; Board of Directors, County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency(COMIDA)

Judy Seil, Director, County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) 

Dave Zorn, Executive Director, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council