New accelerator program SkyHigh launches to include nonprofit programming, social innovation & civic entrepreneurship
Memphis, Tenn. (March 4, 2014) – Start Co. today announced the addition of Scott Vogel as vice president of civic entrepreneurship. In this new role, Vogel will build public-private partnerships to scale Start Co. efforts to extend the “Entrepreneurship is for everyone” theme from the MEMxmovement. Vogel will also orchestrate the organization’s relationships with local and national universities, social groups, as well as focus on business development.
Vogel will also manage the organization’s newest accelerator, SkyHigh, geared around combining current Start Co. curricula and programming for the benefit of social innovation. His startup background will help other early stage startups tap into community leadership and navigate the community landscape. He will work directly with Start Co. co-president Andre Fowlkes to execute programming.
“Scott brings serial entrepreneurial, social and nonprofit experience to the team,” said Eric Mathews, founder and CEO of Start Co. “We’re excited to leverage his start up experience and passion for nonprofits as well as his background in community service.”
With more than 15 years of entrepreneurial, innovation and investment experience, Vogel will also serve as one of Start Co.’s two entrepreneurs-in-residence. His long track record of civic experience includes national committee membership on the board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/ALSAC and recent appointment to the University of Memphis Research Foundation. He is also past president of the Tennessee Health Information & Management Systems Society and has held leadership roles within the Memphis Jewish Federation.
“I’ve been impressed with the impact Start Co. has made for entrepreneurs in Memphis and look forward to helping the organization use its entrepreneurial framework to help foster the next generation of civic leaders,” said Vogel. “It will be exciting to activate leaders in the nonprofit community as well as those from the Memphis entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Additionally, Start Co.’s current leader of mentorship, Al Pickett, has been promoted to vice president of diversity. In his new role, Pickett will work with Vogel and Fowlkes to grow and lead the organization’s minority and women inclusion efforts, conduct community outreach and operate Launch University, a weekly founder development program. Pickett will also continue to lead the Start Co.’s Start Mentoring platform.
“Inclusion is a key priority for Start Co. and we continue to increase our efforts to reach early stage minority and women entrepreneurs, identify the gaps, and work to close them,” said Andre Fowlkes, Start Co. Co-President. “Al has been involved in these efforts over the last couple years and has made a real impact in the organization and the community. As vice president of diversity, we know he will continue to take strides to generate productive results.”
Start Co. is now accepting applications for the SkyHigh accelerator program through April 15. Applications for all other Start Co. accelerator programs are open through March 15. To learn more about becoming an investor, mentor or accessing entrepreneurial resources, please visit www.neverstop.co.