Entrepreneurs and residents interested in starting a business are being encouraged to attend a business panel sponsored by New Albany and TechColumbus on Thursday, July 22.

"It's an awesome opportunity for businesses of all sizes to learn what they can share with others and the offerings that are available," said Jennifer Chrysler, community development director.

The event, which will focus on local private equity opportunities, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the New Albany Business Development Center, 6530 West Campus Oval in New Albany. There is no fee, but registration is required. Registration may be completed at www.techcolumbus.org/understanding-private-equity-opportunities-village-new-albany.

Chrysler said the event features a panel of four speakers who have different perspectives on how to obtain funding for a business.

"Each represents a different process in the funding spectrum," she said.

The speakers are: Paul Cohn, vice president and regional director of

Fort Washington Capital Partners Group; John Huston, co-founder of the Ohio TechAngel Fund; Steve Jaffee, general partner with Reservoir Ventures; and Rich Langdale, managing partner of NCT Ventures.

All the panel members are residents of New Albany and the surrounding area, Chrysler said.

"It provides an opportunity to combine the business sector with our residents, pulling talent out of the residential community and putting it into business growth of existing and new companies," she said.

Chrysler said Thursday's event also will feature networking opportunities and provide more information on available resources.

New Albany has been promoting its work with new businesses since becoming a TechStart community two and a half years ago.

The TechStart program is led by the nonprofit TechColumbus and supported financially by Ohio's Third Frontier program and 18 local partners. According to information from TechColumbus, the organization "provides early stage funding and mentoring assistance to entrepreneurs with promising tech businesses throughout 15 counties of central Ohio."

Chrysler said New Albany and Dublin were chosen by TechColumbus to receive state funding for the creation of a business hub in their areas. Both are considered regional sites, with New Albany's business hub also serving Gahanna, Westerville and Licking County.

The village has hosted several presentations for business owners and potential business owners since it became a TechStart community.

"Individuals will take home valuable knowledge from a number of resources about the types of programs and capital available for starting or growing a tech-related business," said Will Indest, vice president of venture development with TechColumbus. "If you are an entrepreneur or have an idea you have been thinking about, this is an excellent opportunity to understand what it takes to attract capital and grow a business."

lwince@thisweeknews.com