The Visalia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Visalia Convention Center, Fresno Pacific University - Visalia Campus and Visalia First Assembly is hosting the inaugural Visalia SOUP on March 14, 2017. Visalia SOUP presented by Tucoemas Federal Credit Union supports Visalia’s best ideas to make our community stronger. Visalia SOUP raises money, builds community support and connects local resources to help entrepreneurs carry out their ventures.
 
Visalia SOUP supports the entrepreneurial spirit by creating a venue for the community to gather, listen to great ideas that support the community and to help fund projects that will make a lasting impact. Presentation proposals can be about a new or expanding business, a community project, an event or other ideas. Proposals must be submitted by February 21, 2017. All proposals can be submitted at:  http://www.visaliachamber.org/visalia-soup-proposal.
 
The SOUP is a community-based crowdfunding dinner. The idea, modeled after the program in Detroit, Michigan, is a way to promote community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun. To attend, a recommended donation of $5 gets you entry into the event, soup, bread and a vote. Attendees will hear from four presenters, who have four minutes to describe their idea to the group (without the use of technology), and will answer four questions from the audience.  At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, and vote on the project they think benefits the city the most. At the end of the night, the ballots are counted and the winner goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their project. Winners come back to a future SOUP dinner to report their project’s progress.

For more event details and proposal requirements go to: http://www.visaliachamber.org/soup/ or call the Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876.