Entrepreneurs Encouraged to Connect with NJEDA Resources at Upcoming Propelify Innovation Festival
TRENTON, N.J. (October 2, 2019) – Thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, students, and community leaders are expected to descend on Hoboken tomorrow, October 3 for the fourth-annual Propelify Innovation Festival. The event showcases New Jersey’s synergistic innovation ecosystem and connects entrepreneurs with resources they need to grow and thrive in the Garden State. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is among the sponsors of this year’s festival.
Propelify is the brainchild of Aaron Price, who recently took over as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Technology Council (Tech Council). He is also the Founder of NJ Tech Meetup. Price launched the Propelify Innovation Festival because he noticed that being surrounded by other entrepreneurs and innovators was both motivating and smart for business. He said that, after six years building the NJ Tech Meetup into the state’s most active community of entrepreneurs, it was clear that there was a bigger opportunity to bring together the region’s entrepreneurial community on a larger scale.
“Propelify is rooted in the concept that ideas are easy; the challenge is in propelling them into reality,” Price said. “I'm proud that Propelify has helped to elevate New Jersey into the national conversation around where we fit and have strengths in the innovation economy and startup ecosystem.”
Governor Phil Murphy and NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan are among dozens of speakers scheduled to address attendees.
“Reclaiming New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation is a priority for Governor Murphy, and Propelify presents a terrific opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage with NJEDA and Choose New Jersey staff to learn about State resources that can support their specific goals,” Sullivan said. “It also offers a highly-visible platform for industry leaders to sell entrepreneurs throughout the region on why they should bring their businesses to the Garden State.”
The NJEDA and Choose New Jersey will share a booth at the event where attendees can learn about the many benefits of growing a business in New Jersey, such as the state’s diverse, highly-educated workforce, its proximity to world-class universities, and its ideal location along the Eastern seaboard, with easy access to New York and its markets, as well as Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington D.C.
This year’s event will feature a startup competition, an entrepreneur elevator pitch session, and drone racing.
In addition, a panel discussion will feature funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs. First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy will moderate the panel, entitled “Seeds for Success: The Angels Leading the Way for Women Entrepreneurs.” Panelists will include Miri Park, the Chief Operating Officer of Somerset County-based Chromis Fiberoptics; Gina Tedesco, an active investor – and a Golden Seeds member, serial entrepreneur, professor, and mentor; and Kathleen Coviello, Vice President of Technology and Life Sciences Investment at the NJEDA.
Members of the NJEDA’s Office of Economic Transformation will also be on hand to talk to entrepreneurs about the financial resources available to early-stage technology companies, such as the State’s Net Operating Loss Program, Angel Investor Tax Program and NJ Ignite.
The full Propelify Innovation Festival schedule can be found at https://propelify.com/2019-festival-agenda/.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for life sciences companies, call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
