Our Approach
Our sustainable development model provides targeted, early stage funding and technical assistance which seeds the growth and expansion of new and existing businesses within value-added and natural resource based economic sectors. We look for new opportunities in emerging areas of economic activity and intentionally work to accelerate the rate at which certain sustainable products (and the businesses that make these products) become firmly established in the marketplace. Once a new market has become self-sufficient, the VSJF moves on to other emerging sectors. Our efforts generate noticeable improvements in the economic, environmental and social condition of Vermont communities.
The VSJF identifies and supports “first-in” Vermont entrepreneurs in an emerging market area. By strategically coordinating the provision of needed capital and technical assistance we work to increase the success rate of these “first-ins” so that they are better able to survive and thrive. Our efforts are aimed at market strengthening during the transition from “first-in” to “second-in” enterprises within an emerging industry or sector. Once the market for a new product is firmly in place, there is less need for the VSJF to be involved and other economic development entities (e.g. VEDA, Regional Development Corporations, and the Department of Economic Development) can provide on-going support.
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