News Bureau

News Briefs From DePaul University's Entrepreneur Program

April 8, 1998

Private Enterprise Network Symposium Will Be Held at DePaul on April 16

De Paul University's entrepreneurship program will sponsor a Private Enterprise Network (PEN) Symposium on April 16.

The annual event is designed to assist entrepreneurial firms in the Chicago area with their growth process. DePaul faculty chose an outstanding entrepreneurial business to present its business plan at the symposium so that the businesses can gain feedback from a panel of selected business experts and an audience of professionals.

This year's invitation-only symposium will feature America's Finest Pasta Sauces. Founded by David Gamperl, the Chicago-based mail-order business sends its members gourmet pasta sauce from the best Italian restaurants in the country each month. Gamperl developed the idea for the business while attending a business plan development class at DePaul. The company has exclusive distribution agreements with more than 20 famous Italian restaurants across the nation.

After only two years, the company achieved sales of $3.2 million and is one of the fastest growing mail-order companies in the country. "The purpose of the symposium is to assist businesses like America's Finest Pasta Sauces to expand into the next century and beyond," said Harold Welsch, the Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurship at DePaul.

For information, call 312/362-8353.

Media Contact: Robin Florzak, (312) 362-8592