How Cities Spur Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In September 2018, SIPA’s Entrepreneurship & Policy Initiative kicked off our entrepreneurship dialogues with a keynote discussion with Steve Case, the AOL founder and investor, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, and Dean Merit E. Janow. They discussed how the next cycle of internet innovation will impact economies, public policy, and entrepreneurship. The November event is a continuation of the conversation, with a special focus on the role of city governments in cultivating and sustaining a sound entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Panel members:

• Daniel Correa, Senior Advisor, Center for American Entrepreneurship; Co-Founder of Smart Cities Lab; Strategic Advisor at the Partnership for Public Service; former Assistant Director for Innovation Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

• Euan Robertson, Director, Strategic Planning & Special Projects, Columbia Technology Ventures, former Chief Operating Officer of the New York City Economic Development Corporation

• Hollie Russon Gilman (panelist and moderator), Postdoctoral Research Scholar and Lecturer, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

Key topics to be addressed:

• What are city governments’ key roles in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation?

• Case studies on economic prize competitions including Amazon HQ2 bid

• What are the best practices in the International context that the U.S. cities could leverage?

• In the U.S., what are entrepreneurs’ pressing concerns, challenges and priorities that require the government’s immediate attention and support?

• How could major venture capital hubs like NYC support and collaborate with other cities’ entrepreneurship development?

• How could organizations like CAE, NYEDC, and Columbia University effectively assist governments in cultivating a sustainable and resilient entrepreneurship ecosystem?

Lunch and refreshments will be served.

The event is co-sponsored by SIPA Entrepreneurship & Policy Initiative, Columbia Entrepreneurship Innovation & Design, SIPA Management specialization and Columbia Technology Ventures, supported by the Nasdaq Educational Foundation.