Get Those Venture Capital Dollars Flowing!

Traditionally black entrepreneurs get less than 1% of money invested by venture capital firms. This is a significant barrier to progress for black communities.

Black people tend to have a firm grasp on how to improve their communities but far too often lack the resources.

This week we'll discuss solutions to gaining access to the billions of dollars available and potential digital innovation businesses that could benefit communities.

Excerpts from interview with Guest:
Steven N. Miller, Principal and co-founder of Origin Ventures.

Prior to co-founding Origin, Steve spent 10 years at Quill Corporation, a direct marketer of office products started by his family in 1956. His experience there included running the Canadian distribution center as well as buying and merchandising a $30 Million product line. Steve's final two years at Quill were devoted to starting up the e-commerce operation. He wrote the business plan for the company's first web site, www.quill.com, and managed the team that executed it to $15 Million in annual revenue. The Miller family sold Quill to Staples in 1998 for over $1 Billion.

Steve serves on the boards of VHT, Experiencia, and GrubHub. Prior to its sale in 2004, he served on the board of directors of iNest. He also served as an advisor to GolfServ.com, before it was acquired by Time Inc. in early 2006. Steve is an active board member of the not-for-profit organization i.c.stars, which provides inner-city young adults with technology training and leadership development. He serves on the board of US Empowered, which furnishes urban students with the resources, support and networks that make higher education a reality. Steve was recently elected to the boards of Victory Gardens Theater and the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

More information can be found at OriginVentures.com Music: Tha Keepas,