Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Gov. Patrick, NCIIA event advances Massachusetts entrepreneurship

By Abigail Barrow, Phil Weilerstein and Paul Zavracky

Because Massachusetts’ competitiveness and prosperity depend on innovation, in the current economy it is more important than ever before that we harness — and support — the creativity and energy of young innovators.

The commonwealth, like every other state, is feeling the effects of the economic crisis. Yet, Massachusetts has advantages that many other states do not — a way forward that relies on existing creativity and knowledge, and on world-class people, resources and infrastructure already in place. Massachusetts is internationally recognized as a leader in higher education and advanced research in the sciences, home to more than 120 universities and many of the world’s leading research hospitals and institutes. It has long been a hub of commercial development of technology in electronics, software, life sciences and information technology, and has pioneered outstanding programs to stimulate innovative research and commercial translation. The region also has numerous educational and non-profit entrepreneur support programs, many of which have been replicated in other regions.

Today, MassEntrepreneurship 2009 will bring together the state’s leaders in educating and supporting emerging technology entrepreneurs, from higher education, research, government and venture and economic development, to discuss best practices key to entrepreneurial startup support. The event highlights the importance of these regional groups meeting, sharing resources, and finding common ground for collaboration, to improve and enhance support for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the state.

The invitation-only event, organized by the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance will open with a keynote address from Gov. Deval Patrick, and will include two panel discussions featuring local experts in key areas in encouraging technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Massachusetts: mentoring emerging ventures, and supporting the state’s young entrepreneurs. Rep. Dan Bosley, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, will also address the group.

 

 

Abigail Barrow is the director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center; Phil Weilerstein is executive director of the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance in Hadley; and Paul Zavracky is dean of the School of Technological Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University.