Valley mentor group helps business startups thrive: Aim to counter 7 out of 10

Scott Foster, Valley Venture Mentor co-founder and president, said a cooperative spirit is built into the program, and he believes business startups need all the encouragement they can get. Seven out of 10 new businesses are doomed to fail, he said. The idea is to create a “vibrant economic ecosystem” by identifying and nurturing startups with the potential to thrive. Although the focus is on western Massachusetts entrepreneurs, people from all over the region are welcome to participate. Some businesspeople come from as far away as Vermont. VVM recently received a grant of almost $150,000 from the Massachusetts Technology ...