MEMPHIS, Tenn. (July 28, 2014) – Start Co. announced today that The Honorable Edward B. Montgomery, former White House Chief Economist and current dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, will be the keynote speaker at the Summer of Acceleration Demo Day Aug. 21.
Demo Day is the culmination of a nationally recognized intensive 14-week startup training and mentoring program created for entrepreneurs with innovative startup ideas in the information technology (Seed Hatchery), logistics innovation (Sparkgap), women-led technology (Upstart) and social enterprise (Sky High) industries. Montgomery’s keynote will focus on the community impact of high-growth entrepreneurship and how this is especially key for communities such as Memphis.
“Economic growth and revitalization in today’s fast moving economy requires the deliberate and systematic development and nurturing of an entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Montgomery. “Public private partnerships can play an important role in fostering and supporting startup companies from their earliest stages through to maturity.”
Montgomery is widely recognized as an authority on economic development, labor law and policy. He has had a long career in academia at institutions such as the University of Maryland, Michigan State University, Harvard University and Stanford University. Montgomery was also tasked by President Obama to act as the executive director of the White House council for auto communities and workers. He is also a prior chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor. Montgomery’s public policy expertise is frequently sought after and has also been featured in major media outlets such as C-SPAN, Politico and Bloomberg BNA’s Daily Labor Report.
“The Honorable Edward B. Montgomery is one of the most respected voices on economic development in the world today,” said Andre Fowlkes, Start Co. president. “We’re thrilled that he’ll be sharing his insights on the importance of entrepreneurs and the startup culture in building communities for the future and how communities like Memphis can apply accelerator methods across established social, government and business sectors.”
Demo day will host investors, industry executives and the community at large at this year’s Demo Day, where 16 startup teams will showcase their companies. To register or learn more about Demo Day, please visit neverstop.co/demoday.
About Start Co.
Start Co. is a nationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) Memphis-based venture development organization that relentlessly builds founders and companies, promoting entrepreneurship for everyone with a focus on digital startups. Start Co. is a member of theGlobal Accelerator Networkand is currently working withJumpStart, Inc.to advance Memphis’ economic growth through entrepreneurship. The organization is supported by partners includingarcher>malmo,Baker Donelson,The Marston Group, Orion Federal Credit Union,andMosaik Solutions. More information can be found atneverstop.co.