Summer 2007
New Fellowship Aims to Cultivate the Entrepreneurial Leaders of Tomorrow
At our State of Technology Luncheon, the Technology Alliance officially announced the launch of a new initiative to honor our organization’s founding chair and support the development of Washington’s future entrepreneurial leaders: the William H. Gates, Sr. Fellowship in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The fellowship will provide a graduate student at the University of Washington with a unique learning experience to work directly on special projects and research to improve the climate for young, innovative companies in Washington. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage directly with experienced investors and entrepreneurs through the Alliance of Angels program.
“Bill has a keen appreciation for entrepreneurship, inspired our Alliance of Angels program, and set the Technology Alliance’s focus on promoting a healthy entrepreneurial climate,” noted Tom Alberg, TA chair emeritus and managing director at Madrona Venture Group. “He is also deeply committed to education in general and the University of Washington in particular. When we began thinking of a way we could honor and thank him for his leadership of our organization, of course we came back to students, particularly students who are pursuing an entrepreneurial path.”
The fellowship will be open to MBA candidates or similarly qualified students who are midway through a graduate degree program at the university. Fellows will be selected based upon their academic performance and commitment to advancing entrepreneurship in Washington.
“The Technology Alliance’s commitment to entrepreneurship grows stronger by the year,” observed board member Dan Rosen, chair of Alliance of Angels and president & CEO of Dan Rosen & Associates. “AoA is committed to advancing entrepreneur education and bolstering support for startup companies in high-growth sectors in our state, and this new fellowship adds another exciting dimension to our efforts. It is also a fitting tribute to Bill Sr., who was the driving force behind the formation of AoA nearly 10 years ago.”
John Stanton, founding contributor to the fellowship fund and partner at Trilogy Partners, said, “I can’t think of a better way to recognize and build upon Bill’s civic leadership and commitment to improving Washington’s climate for young businesses than to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. This fellowship will give students valuable, hands-on experience by enabling them to work with the people who take promising ideas and turn them into new products, companies and jobs in our state.”
In addition to the contribution from Stanton and his wife, Terry Gillespie, the fellowship fund has been built with support from Alberg and wife Judi Beck, Steve Davis & Bob Evans, Ed & Karen Fritzky, Jeremy & Jacqueline Jaech, Microsoft Corporation, Bill Neukom, Susannah Malarkey, Ken & Laurie Myer, Chris & Ginny Rice, Marty & Cathy Smith, Washington Research Foundation, Janice P. Anderson & Stephan Goutzioulis, Christopher Elias, Ed Lazowska & Lyndsay Downs, Shan & Lee Mullin, Katherine James Schuitemaker, Ned Sander, and University of Washington.
The first William H. Gates, Sr. Fellow in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will begin working with the Technology Alliance in September.
A Real Estate Brokerage with Altitude…um, Attitude: Redfin Wins Alliance of Angels 2007 Company of the Year Award
Each year, Alliance of Angels recognizes an outstanding company that has participated in the AoA program for its commitment to entrepreneurial excellence and impact on our regional technology economy. At the State of Technology Luncheon, we honored the achievements of Seattle-based Redfin, the online brokerage that is changing the rules of real estate.
The World Is Waiting… Will Our Children Be Ready? Education Takes Center Stage at the Technology Alliance Annual Luncheon
Since last fall, the Technology Alliance has been working with other business and labor organizations across the state as part of a coalition supporting the College & Work Ready Agenda, a set of shared priorities for building a world-class education system in Washington that prepares our students to be successful in the 21st century economy. We shined a spotlight on the importance of education to our collective future at the May 31st State of Technology luncheon, with a little help from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Feed Your Head! Sign up for the 2007-2008 Season of the Science & Technology Discovery Series
Since 1997 the Science & Technology Discovery Series has been serving up hearty helpings of the latest in cutting edge research from Washington’s innovative companies and institutions. Starting in September, get YOUR recommended monthly allowance of science and technology for breakfast in Seattle and Spokane.
Did You Know…?
Last fall, the Technology Alliance began sharing some of the amazing discoveries and interesting facts gleaned from our Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series speakers through our monthly “Did you know…?” feature. Here is some of what we learned.
