Small Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Symposium

Small Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Symposium
WASHINGTON, D.C. –What does a startup company need to succeed? How does government impact the startup process? What is the role of innovation and how do we nurture it? On September 19th in Seattle, Washington, the Office of Advocacy will bring together entrepreneurs, government officials and academics joined by angel investors, venture capitalists and funding innovators to explore these issues. Small Business and Government: Maximizing Entrepreneurship, Driving Innovation will be a day-long, audience-driven event examining the role small business plays in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial development in our economy. The event is co-sponsored by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, the Northwest Entrepreneur Network, the Seattle Center Foundation and GeekWire.com. Event information and registration can be found at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/7496/260591/.

“For innovation to flourish in our economy, we need to listen to our innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Winslow Sargeant, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “This event will bring together innovators and entrepreneurs from the Northwest, an area known for its creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as engaged stakeholders from across the nation, to explore the role of innovation from new perspectives.”

Panel discussions will focus on such central small business topics as optimizing the relationship between small business innovators and government, maximizing the impact of entrepreneurial accelerators, and utilizing emerging capital strategies. Jonathan Sposato, Chairman of Seattle-based GeekWire.com and a respected high-tech entrepreneur, will moderate the event. Michael K. Young, President of the University of Washington and noted tech transfer expert, will deliver the keynote address. The symposium will take place at Seattle’s Playhouse/Intiman Theatre at Seattle Center. Information and registration can be found at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/7496/260591/.

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Regional advocates and an office in Washington, D.C., support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/advocacy, or call (202) 205-6533.