BFTP Innovation Works Holds Discussion on National Innovation Agenda
Innovation Works, the BFTP of Southwestern PA, teamed up with the Pittsburgh Technology Council for a presentation and discussion about President Obama’s recently announced Innovation Agenda on November 19, 2009.
The event, entitled “The Geography of Innovation” and held at AlphaLab in Pittsburgh, featured Ed Paisley and Jonathan Sallet, authors of Geography of Innovation: The Federal Government and the Growth of Regional Innovation Clusters.
Speakers Paisley and Sallet discussed the role of the U.S. Economic Development Administration in coordinating innovation policies with the White House and the potential impact of those policies on Western Pennsylvania. Nearly 100 people attended this event, including students and faculty of University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon’s public policy graduate schools and business schools, local and regional government officials, economic development leaders, foundations and entrepreneurs.
The focal point of this event was President Obama’s Innovation Agenda, wherein he requested the appropriation of $100 million in fiscal year 2010 for the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce. This would fund an unprecedented national program specifically dedicated to supporting regional innovation clusters and business incubators that fuse the geographically shared resources of universities and other research organizations, companies, research centers, governments and workers.
This event was streamed online live so those who weren’t able to attend could still watch. Click here to view the video of the presentation and question and answer session.
Tags: 