Kyle
In the past week we’ve seen two new state regions join the Startup America Partnership, a nationwide organization for entrepreneurs and founders of high growth potential startups. The organization provides over 90 member benefits to it’s almost 10,000 member base. Startup America was implemented last year under the Obama administration. AOL Founder and Revolution Founder serves as Chairman of the Startup America board. Scott Case (no relation), the founding CTO of Priceline.com serves as the organizations CEO and national spokersperson.
On September 6th a large and diverse group of Washington State entrepreneurs, innovators, founders and startups gathered at the Intiman Playhouse for the Next 50 Commerce & Innovation Economy Month event alongside the launch of Startup Washington. The event itself sold out in less than two weeks and had over 300 people in attendance. The launch event featured short remarks from Wash. Secretary of Commerce Rogers Weed, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, and Startup America national co-founder Pam Contag.
Seattle is a hotbed of innovative startup and entrepreneurial activity in present day and over the past 25 years. The Seattle region plays home to Microsoft, Amazon.com, T-Mobile USA, HTC USA and countless other companies that have driven innovation in mobile and internet over the last 20 years. Seattle also has an incredible local startup and tech website, geekwire.com. In the current wave of startups, StartupWeekend and Microsoft BizSpark are both driving forces behind national innovation and both are also headquartered in Washington state.
Rashmir Balasubramaniam, Founder of Nsansa and MC for the evening, connected and elevated attendees with a playful and engaging tone for the evening.
“Washington State is a melting pot of innovation, entrepreneurship and conscious leadership. Our unique set of industries, ideas, and intentions are coming together to ensure that our people and our environment thrive,” said Balasubramaniam.
“All of us on the Startup Washington team were thrilled to see such an incredible response to this event. We are more excited than ever about celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship in Washington State, and anticipate another 50 years of innovation and entrepreneurial success stories from our region,” noted Lindsay Andreotti, CEO, Brilliance Enterprises and Co-Chair of Startup Washington.
