SoCal Ecosystem Leadership Forum - Photos
The Alliance for SoCal Innovation recently convened a diverse cross section of innovation ecosystem leaders from across Southern California for an intensive one day conference.
This regional economic development planning workshop focused on uniting and leveraging the diverse and compelling innovation nodes that define the SoCal innovation network.
With an invitation-only guest list of professionals involved in accelerating So Cal's startup, entrepreneurial, research, and commercialization efforts, the group gathered at the UC Irvine Research Park to generate clarity of purpose, goals, and a coordinated strategy to tackle shared challenges and opportunities for regional economic development.
New UCI Applied Innovation + University Lab Partners Facilities
The day began with a tour of the new "Cove" building at UC-Irvine, led by Richard Sudek, Chief Innovation Officer of UC-Irvine.
The tour included a preview of the new University Lab Partners space - the area's first independent, nonprofit wet lab incubator for life sciences research and startups.
Leadership Forum
The forum's attendees included 50+ key stakeholders from across the region – e.g. CEOs, founders, industry experts, investors, elected officials and other top policymakers, economic development experts, academics, entrepreneurs, and regional planners.
Alliance Executive Director Andy Wilson introduced the Leadership Forum Program to the guests.
Moderated by the Corporate Accelerator Forum's Diana Joseph, together they spent the day discussing topics of mutual interest and benefit to the region.
Breakout sessions tackled regional differences and identifying challenges to communications, collaboration, and community-building, as well as growth opportunities.
Beautiful real time graphic summaries of event discussions were included!
Thanks to the Sponsors
Sponsors for the event included: The Irvine Company, Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Verizon Communications, Inc., The Corporate Accelerator Forum (CAF), and SoCal Alliance Regional Development.
Thank you to the Alliance for SoCal Innovation for its leadership in organizing and hosting this unique event to help accelerate our regional innovation ecosystems.