Next Up: Brazil

Is Brazil venture capital's next hotbed? BusinessWeek asks in a recent article, for "investments in Brazilian startups are surging, but high taxes and strict labor laws could hamper returns." Among those investments include foreign investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Silicon Valley firm which, along with Brazilian venture capital firm FIR Capital Partners, launched a $170 million fund. MBA alum and co-founder of FIR Capital Partners Marcus Regueira is further quoted about the fund here.

Finding the Balance

Knowledge@Wharton asked Wharton professor and author Stewart Friedman how to integrate a personal life and a professional life for a comfortable balance. Friedman responded with three steps: describe your legacy, learn what people expect of you, and talk with trusted friends. Read more here.

Look to the Web

Looking to start your own business? First step: the Web. As stated in The Philadelphia Inquirer column "Web Wealth: Starting your own business," the Web is "full of oportunities to learn how to develop a business idea, how to get funding..." and much more. Check out the column, which links to several of those opportunities, here.

JibJab Meets President Obama

Alumni company JibJab recently created an original satire video of President Obama as a superhero that was shown at the RTCA dinner to President Obama and the many attendants. Check out this video on Facebook that shows Obama laughing at the JibJab Obama video, folllowed by a brief CBS interview with Gregg and Evan. To read about their experience meeting the President, click here.

Nurturing NYC VC

As Scott Denne reports for Wall Street Journal blog Venture Capital Dispatch,
"With fewer firms and no particular geographic nexus[in NYC], entrepreneurs rarely have the kinds of chance encounters that can jump-start a start-up." Enter First Growth Venture Network.

First Growth has launched a networking and mentoring program, providing advisors and opportunities, for New York City entrepreneurs. Also participating in the program are several venture firms. Find out more here.

What to Know about Merchant Cash Advances

Knowledge@Wharton discusses the advantages and disadvantages of merchant cash advances, also known as business cash advances, for small-business owners on OPEN Forum. Featuring quotes from Wharton School lecturer and former entrepreneur Lawrence Gelburd, the post claims that such advances can "ease the crunch, but are costly and can be risky." Read more here.

Get It Started!

This month's stories focus on starting ventures under adverse conditions. Don't miss our story on the unexpected advantages of initiating a new venture in the summer. We also profile Joseph Ansenelli who sold three businesses to Fortune 500 companies and was driven to a start a new venture even with a broken back. Want to hear more from Joseph? We’ve got a new Alumni Impact Interview. Check out the newsletter here.

Philly Keeps Green

“The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investment,” a recent report issued by the Pew Charitable Trusts, has ranked Pennsylvania third in the most clean-energy jobs nationwide. Read more here.

Current Developments in the VC Community at Wharton|San Francisco

Despite the rough economy, it’s still a great time to start a business, according to VCs at a recent panel discussion at Wharton|San Francisco. The panelists – all Wharton alumni -- gathered last month to discuss current developments in the VC community and the impact on entrepreneurs. More.

Entrepreneurship's 10 Commandments

When Guy Kawasaki talks about business innovation, as he did recently at a University of Pennsylvania technology conference, he brings more than 25 years of major league experience to the conversation--a background that the good-humored investor and entrepreneur calls "my checkered past." More here.