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MassChallenge on Sparking Clean Energy in MA
10/28/2009

How can MA can emerge as a leader in clean energy sector?

Clean and alternative energy production is a growth industry that is attracting a great deal of attention as the future of domestic energy security and production. Massachusetts is well positioned to take the lead in this field with historic leadership in higher education and technology innovation. A 2008 UMass University study found that the clean energy sector is poised to be 10th largest industry in Massachusetts with a growth rate projected at over 20% per year. Read more »

Energy & Clean Tech > 0 Comments
Raj Melville on Building a Social Ecosystem in Boston
10/23/2009

How to create the ’social’ Route 128

Around the world, a new breed of entrepreneurs has emerged. They are change agents who bring a fresh set of skills combining business acumen, innovative field work and operational excellence to build large scale sustainable organizations. Fueled in great part by the growing citizen sector, these social entrepreneurs tackle seemingly stubborn global challenges –whether working to improve basic education for inner city children, or fighting disease in the developing world – and they face daunting organizational challenges.

No place better nurtures this new breed of social entrepreneur than Boston. Boston has grown to become a center for Social Entrepreneurship education and activities. Several universities in the Greater Boston area offer courses in Social Entrepreneurship. Boston University offers one of the oldest non-profit management programs. MIT, Harvard, Tufts all have programs or courses focusing on citizen involvement and social impact. Boston has also been the birthplace of several innovative non-profits like City Year and Citizens Schools. Nearly a fifth of the Fast Company Social Capitalist awardees are from the Greater Boston area.

With such a rich local pool of social entrepreneurial talent, there is a major opportunity to create a Social Entrepreneurial Cluster in Boston. Like the technology and biotech clusters around the Boston/Cambridge/Route 128 axis that have sprung up from the rich educational and research programs; we have an opportunity to build a new center of excellence in Social Entrepreneurship around Greater Boston. We have an opportunity to retain the top talent, which is attracted to the terrific selection of Social Entrepreneurship programs offered by the major universities in the area, and channel them to building the next generation of innovative social enterprises here in Boston.

To do so, one needs to create an local ecosystem that brings together practitioners, academics and students; that allows young entrepreneurs to learn from the successes and lessons of the existing leaders; that facilitates sharing of innovative concepts and implementations; and that allows philanthropists and foundations to make game changing investments in emerging talent.

Over the past three years, ForSE: Forum for Social Entrepreneurs has provided such a collaborative forum. Under the aegis of the TIE Social Entrepreneurs Group, this annual conference brings together social innovators with leading business professionals, investors, donors, government officials, academics, and students. It facilitates the sharing of new technology and business ideas along with hard-earned management learnings and fosters informed discussion and action on new social venture concepts.

This year the annual conference, ForSE 2009: Forum for Social Entrepreneurs, will be held on Friday October 23rd at Babson College. In addition to several panels on cutting edge topics, the forum also includes in-depth case studies that dissect the daily workings of a social entrepreneur and help brainstorm solutions and ideas for the challenges they present. And, new this year, a pitch contest for aspiring social entrepreneurs that has attracted entries from all around the USA. You can click on this link to the conference site for further information and details. Click here to learn more about TIE Social Entrepreneurs Group.

Visit Raj Meville’s blog by clicking here.

Social enterprise & non-profit > 0 Comments
Michael Gaiss on The Quest for Innovation
10/6/2009

Sign-Up Now to Participate in THE QUEST on October 9th in Boston!

“THE QUEST for Innovation” is a unique initiative that will bring together leaders of the New England innovation economy to celebrate a heritage of entrepreneurship and innovative advances in Boston on the afternoon of Friday, October 9th. Proceeds generated from THE QUEST will be used to help assist not-for-profit organizations and local university programs focused on enhancing entrepreneurship in the region.

Designed to highlight Boston’s long heritage as a global hub for revolutionary ideas and innovation, THE QUEST is a high-tech, city-wide, interactive mobile scavenger hunt through downtown Boston. Teams will challenge their wits, skills and stamina as they journey across the city on a specially designed ”gameboard” highlighting Boston’s fascinating heritage of innovation, working together to decipher clues and solve challenges.

Participants in THE QUEST will be comprised of entrepreneurs, startups, students, universities, industry associations, state and local government agencies, leading service firms and other entrepreneurial organizations from the greater Boston area. Participation is free for students, entrepreneurs and/or operating companies (financial pledges to help support entrepreneurial programs in the greater Boston area are welcome, but totally optional). You can register online, either as an individual (you’ll be matched up into a team) or as a company (3-7 participants on a team).

THE QUEST is building strong support across the entrepreneurial and business communities. Sponsors and supporting organizations include Babson College, Boston College, Boston History & Innovation Collaborative, Boston Post Mortem, Boston University, Boston World Partnerships, Deloitte, Deshpande Foundation, Emerson College, Foley Hoag, Harvard Business School (Rock Center), ITA Software, Legal Sea Foods, MassChallenge, MassNetComms, Mass High Tech, Massachusetts Biotech Council, Mass Technology Leadership Council, Microsoft, MIT, Museum of Science, NECINA, New England Venture Capital Association, NFTE New England, Northeastern University, Olin College, Polachi, Silicon Valley Bank, Simmons College, Suffolk University, TiE-Boston, UMass Venture Development Center, WilmerHale, Xconomy and Youth CITIES. 

THE QUEST will offer a one-of-a-kind experience for individuals and teams, and chance to interact, collaborate and network with other innovative companies, business and entrepreneurial leaders from across the Bay State. If you are interested in participating, more details can be found at www.questforinnovation.com and be sure to sign-up before Tuesday, October 6th.

Michael Gaiss is responsible for the Highland’s marketing programs and activities worldwide. Since joining the firm, he has had the opportunity to work individually with over 100 startups and emerging growth companies on a variety of marketing-focused initiatives. Michael also spearheads a number of key strategic market, portfolio and entrepreneurial development initiatives including: Summer@Highland, the Highland Entrepreneur Centers, Summer Internships and Connect@Highland.

High Tech > 0 Comments