Commentators, policymakers, and businesses often talk about an “entrepreneurial ecosystem.” The conception, however, remains undefined. In this conference, we will take a critical look at the idea of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, examining how it facilitates innovation. In particular, we will evaluate the ingredients that enable a local community to develop an entrepreneurial culture and reach a critical mass of inventive activity. Moreover, we will evaluate how entrepreneurs are able to recognize what inventions truly matter–i.e., are “disruptive” in the sense that they can make a big impact on an established market. In so doing, we will also ask what pitfalls there are along the way where firms seeking to take advantage of such opportunities either make the right or wrong strategic and tactical judgments.
Sessions
Welcome
The Colorado Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- Brad Bernthal
Associate Professor, University of Colorado Law School
Entrepreneurship Week Keynote
- Bill Ritter
Governor, State of Colorado
How to Recognize the Development of Disruptive Technologies
- David Cohen — Panelist
Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Techstars - Heather Gates-Massoudi — Panelist
Director, Venture Capital Services Technology, Media, and Telecommunications, Deloitte Services - Tom Moore — Panelist
Managing Director, TimesArrow Capital, LLC - Karl Ulrich — Panelist
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Break
The Elements of an Entrepreneurial Culture
- Brad Bernthal — Moderator
Associate Professor, University of Colorado Law School - James Linfield — Panelist
Partner, Cooley LLP - Michael Zeisser — Panelist
Chairman US Investments, Alibaba Group - AnnaLee (Anno) Saxenian — Panelist
Dean and Professor, School of Information, University of California, Berkeley - Jana Matthews — Panelist
CEO, The Jana Matthews Group - Paul Jerde — Panelist
Executive Director, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship
How To, and How Not To, Capitalize on Innovation
- Jason Mendelson — Moderator
Senior Fellow, Entrepreneurship Initiative, Silicon Flatirons - Paul Berberian — Panelist
Co-Founder, Raindance Communication - Steve Georgis — Panelist
CEO, ProStor - Sue Kunz — Panelist
Founder, Solidware Technologies - Trish Rogers — Panelist
Partner and Co-Chair, Financial Institutions Group, Moye White, LLP