December 2008

Overview
Beef Ventures Group, LLC is a company in Indiana focused on being a think tank designed to spin off new business ideas.  They are always pursuing new and innovative  ideas when it comes to different aspects of the business such as new feasibility studies, processing facilities, business plans and creative ways to help raise capital to grow the businesses.  The group strives to have an ongoing, continuing feasibility study along with identifying new ventures.

How They Got Started
The Beef Ventures group started in 2002 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Brian Shutter, who is the general manager for Heartland Premium Aged Beef, LLC and the producer communications manager of Indiana Beef Cattle Association, said that the group was started to look at and develop new business opportunities.  Brian said that their role was to first develop a feasibility study that they could turn into a business plan that would enable them to market Indiana beef.

Challenges
The group deals with normal struggles of many businesses such as time commitments.  Brian points out that it can be difficult trying to get everyone together and when  everyone has both varying and full schedules.  “Getting the whole group together can be a struggle,” said Shutter.

Successes
Continuing to find new members who are willing to put a few dollars on the line is something that Brian notes as a  success.  Brian also counts being able to utilize a number of resources to help them with the Beef Ventures Group as one of their successes.

The group is also fortunate to have had the use of a knowledgeable and helpful consultant.  The consultant was referred to them and he helped with the researching and designing of the feasibility study and business plan for several ventures.

Future Goals
A main future goal of the group is to be able to have additional expertise-besides the Internet- in order to get more information to help the group continue to grow.  It’s also a goal of Beef Ventures to continue to track market data and trends and to make sure they hone in on consumer preferences.  Lastly, like all businesses, they continue to strive to bring in newer consumers and to continue to provide their best service and products.

How they utilized their VAPG funding
Beef Ventures Group was awarded the VAPG in 2003 and used it to study a beef processing system for niche markets for the small to medium size cattlemen.