An educational session featuring one of Montana's leading bootstrappers is aimed at giving rural entrepreneurs and others an insight into this self-reliant technique of venture startup.

Greg Gianforte, founder and CEO of RightNow Technologies and co-author of "Bootstrapping Your Business" a seminal book on the subject will keynote the May 23 gathering at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana.

An article on the session at mtbusiness.com explains:

The seminar will teach bootstrapping - building your business with little or no outside investment capital - to business leaders, community members, and individuals interested in entrepreneurship.

Other presenters will include:

• Cindy Taylor, Chairwoman of TechRanch and founder of IPG Consulting, on sales planning and strategies
• Jake Cook, Founder of Sweet Onion Creations, on guerilla and Internet marketing
• Gary Bloomer, Director of Client Development of TechRanch, on planning tools and techniques for cash management
• Jessica Watson, Director of Finance for TechRanch, on thrift and outside funding options

MY TWO CENTS: Heck, rural entrepreneurs where I live in Pennsylvania and elsewhere could use similar programs and it would be nice to see anyone from the SBA to SCORE to some other business help group provide them.

For more on the session sponsored by Bootstrap Montana, a loan program funded through Gianforte's efforts, visit the website and sign-up if you wish or contact Prairie Lee at TechRanch for more information.

Photo Credit: John Rivers, MorgueFile