"Entrepreneurship Seed Funding"
for FOUR of our 2008 attendees
(Wyoming High School Students)
who submit the most creative and feasible Entrepreneurial Business Idea.

The deadline for entrance is 5:00pm, Wednesday, December 31st, 2008. Submissions will not be accepted after this deadline.

| CONTEST RULES |

Bio
Ben has a track record of successfully keynoting conferences and events. At 20 years-old, he is an author, world traveler, technology entrepreneur, and current college student, so he offers a truly compelling and unique perspective on some of the most important business and education issues today.

Order your copy

Ben is the author of the best selling business book "My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley" which the New York Times called "precocious, informative, and entertaining." He founded Comcate, Inc., an e-government software company, at age 14.

Ben's work has been featured in dozens of international media including CNN, USA Today, CNBC, and ABC's 20/20. At a conference in Paris PoliticsOnline named him one of the "25 most influential people in the world of internet and politics". BusinessWeek recently named Ben "one of America's top young entrepreneurs." He writes prolifically on his blog which the San Jose Business Journal called one of the "Top 25 Blogs in Silicon Valley." He also is a commentator for NPR's "Marketplace".

Ben has given speeches at dozens of universities and organizations around the world. He has traveled to more than 25 countries. He also co-runs the Silicon Valley Junto, an intellectual discussion society for business and technology executives. In his free time Ben enjoys playing chess, ping-pong, reading, and writing.

Speech Topic:

Entrepreneurship as Life Idea: Becoming CEO Of Your Own Life

In what one professor recently called "the most powerful presentation on entrepreneurship I have witnessed," Ben declares entrepreneurship more a life idea than a business one. He explains several core entrepreneurial concepts that can applied to any aspect of life: creativity, screwing around, maintaining side projects, optimism, harboring a bias toward action, among others. Interweaving personal anecdotes and experiences, as well as drawing upon the lessons of hundreds of other entrepreneurs and leaders, Ben presents an inspiring and persuasive vision for the entrepreneurial life, and gives audience members specific tools to start their own businesses or simply become CEO of their own lives.

View the ABC Interview

Reviews

"He was phenomenal. I must have had 30 people come up to me and say 'what a refreshing speaker.' He was just phenomenal. He had four great points and he talked from the heart. We were so happy, I would definitely recommend him."
Anne Mathison, University of Wisconsin Continuing Ed Program

"It is rare these days when an entire auditorium of students sit without text messaging, and listen attentively while a speaker delivers his message. When Ben Casnocha spoke at Lone Star College - Montgomery, every student listened and afterwards asked pertinent, intelligent questions fueled by one of the most powerful speeches on entrepreneurship I have had the good fortune to witness."
James F. Zipperer, Professor of Economics, Lone Star College

"Ben's presentation about his entrepreneurial life philosophy was insightful and inspiring to everyone in the audience. Ben delivered his presentation with elegance and confidence; he was exactly the right person delivering exactly the right message!"
Deborah Murray, Director, Center for Rural Research and Development, University of Nebraska at Kearney

"Ben's presentation was a refreshing, practical look at the realities youth face as they pursue an entrepreneurial pathway. His presentation was both witty and thought-provoking. Our educators walked away with many ideas on how to better serve the 'Ben's' in their classroom. Well done!"
Heather Vansickle, Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship

“Ben Casnocha, as a speaker, is engaging, insightful and thought provoking. He is real and while down to earth, uplifting in his message."
Chuck Alvery, CEO, Western Nevada Economic Development Association

"Engaging, inspiring, and informative only begin to describe Ben's presentation that challenges the idea of what entrepreneurship is. His spirit of curiosity means that he can converse intelligently about most any topic that comes up in group discussion...Anyone who is considering hearing him speak should jump at the chance."
Kyle Cherrick Kyle Cherrick, University of Arizona

Ben's presentation went extremely well. He motivated the students based on their interest in the issues he presented. The students were very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed his talk.
Edward Lewis, University of Denver

Ben grabs and holds his audience with a rapid fire, succinct, insightful and motivational presentation. Aspiring entrepreneurs in attendance were well served by his insights into the entrepreneurial mind.
Robert Robb, University of Texas, Dallas

Ben's speech at Duke was engaging and enlightening, and it inspired all who attended to explore the path of a life entrepreneur in their own lives.
Jeremy Welch, Duke University

Ben's presentation was fantastic, concise, easy-to-understand, simple yet thought-provoking, inspirational, and engaging, full of interesting quotes and anecdotes. I truly loved his energy and enthusiasm!
Jing Chen, The Wharton School @ UPenn

Ben Casnocha's speech is one that is all can relate to. With his inspirational story, and deep rooted beliefs and principles, it illustrates that the American Dream is possible for anyone.
Scott Bradley, Boston College

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

When Casnocha, a first-time entrepreneur and author, shares his life story chronicling a jam-packed 19 years, it's clear he listens to Oprah's encomium "live your best life." What's even more jaw opening is the level of wisdom and self-awareness he displays. Each brief chapter features at least one personal, headlined sidebar about, say, customer feedback, advisory boards, or the power of mentors. There are also short "braintrust" synopses from Casnocha's ever-expanding network; venture capitalist Heidi Roizen weighs in on taking responsibility, while writer Chris Yeh muses about the right blend of work and life. In between the snippets lies a compelling narrative, from the author's first meander into customer focus groups to hard-earned lessons about technology and bootstrapping. A simply written yet remarkably direct, honest, and, yes, a bit heart-wrenching account about a lost teenagerhood.
Barbara Jacobs

[TOP]

Greetings!

The Casper College Division of Business would like to invite you and your students to our upcoming Business Awareness Day at Casper College on Thursday, October 16.

The theme will be, “Entrepreneurship” and it promises to be an exciting day.

Our keynote speaker will be Ben Casnocha. Ben is the author of the bestselling business book My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley, which the New York Times called "precocious, informative, and entertaining." He founded Comcate, Inc., an e-government software company, at age 14. Ben's work has been featured in dozens of international media including CNN, USA Today, CNBC, and ABC's 20/20. At a conference in Paris, PoliticsOnline named him one of the "25 most influential people in the world of internet and politics". BusinessWeek recently named Ben "one of America's top young entrepreneurs."

In addition, we have planned several workshops in the early afternoon related to entrepreneurship.

Registration begins at 9:00 am in the Thunderbird Gym followed by the keynote presentation at 10:00 am sharp. Lunch will be provided for all students and teachers. Activities will conclude at 2:30 pm.

A $500 award will be given to the business department at the high schools bringing the largest number of students within their 2007-2008 WHSAA Member Schools Classification (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A).

Please return your reservation form by October 6th. If you have any questions, please contact Kay Demaree at 1-800-442-2963 or kdemaree@caspercollege.edu.

We are looking forward to seeing you and enjoying a great day together!

Liz Ott, Chair
Business Division

OCTOBER 16, 2008

CLICK TO REGISTER TODAY!