Clinton Community College is pleased to introduced a new, free-of-charge data service to area the business community.  The New Ventures Initiative (NVI), in partnership with the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD), have launched the Business Information for Growth (BIG) service. This data-mining service provides business owners, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, and students access to highly-sophisticated online databases, to conduct research which will help identify new opportunities to grow and maximize business.

The Business Information for Growth (BIG) system is now available at the Clinton Community College Technology Center. To introduce this valuable tool to Clinton, IA--and the surrounding area--and to provide potential users with an overview of its capabilities, there will be a BIG ribbon cutting ceremony and orientation.

Who:                     Anyone who wants to gain an understanding of the power of data to make business decisions
What:                    BIG Ribbon Cutting/Orientation
When:                   Thursday, March 25, 2010
2:00                      Ribbon Cutting
2:30 to 4:00           Orientation Training Session
Where:                  Clinton Community College Technology Center, 1951 Manufacturing Drive, Clinton, IA  52732

Access to these databases is often cost-prohibitive for many businesses. However, the BIG service is free of charge, and it takes only a brief training session to learn how to use the databases.  After training, a person can do research using the dedicated computers located in the BIG Lab within the New Ventures Entrepreneurial Center (NVEC) in Davenport, IA, the McAvoy Business and Industry Center located in Muscatine, IA, or the Clinton Community College Technology Center in Clinton, IA.  To schedule training, call 563-327-0160.

For more information, or to RSVP for the ribbon cutting, call 563-244-7065 or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Databases available:

ReferenceUSA  - Individual Company Profiles--A database of 14 million U.S. companies.  Database can be searched by location, type of business, business size, credit rating, phone/fax number, and executive name.  Download key information into an Excel spreadsheet.  

Hoovers Plus – Individual Company Profiles--Access to Hoover's database of 32 million public, non-public, and international companies, as well as industries and key people. Contact information and vital statistics are included for company from around the world.

• Build lists on all companies within your selected region
• Identify competitors and download competitive landscape

First Research – Industry Profiles--Provides industry sector analysis and research, industry trends, and industry statistics. Industries covered include advertising and branding; airlines, hotels and travel; apparel and textiles; automobiles and trucks; biotechnology; information technology; consulting; e-commerce; energy and utilities; engineering and research; entertainment and media; financial services; food and beverages; health care and biotech; real estate and construction; retail; telecommunications; transportation; and several others.

Acculeads – Consumer Data--Information on over 136 million households in the United States.  Site offers information compiled based on consumer transactions and credit records.

DemographicsNow – Detailed Demographic Data--This information and thousands more variables are contained within this easy-to-use online service providing you access to historic, current and projected U.S. Census data which can be mapped and viewed as a report.

YIPSE – An Intellectual Property Search Engine--YIPSE™ is a search engine focused on finding technologies that are available for license or sale. These technologies are available from universities, government agencies, private companies, exchanges and inventors from around the globe.  With over 23,000 available technologies identified to date and growing, YIPSE is utilized by companies that actively practice open innovation and are scouting for new technology solutions. YIPSE is also utilized by market researchers, investors, and economic development professionals as a research tool and deal flow generator.