Technology Alliance Establishes Fellowship to Support Future Entrepreneurial Leaders
The Technology Alliance (TA), an organization of technology business and research leaders dedicated to Washington’s long-term economic success, announced today the establishment of the new William H. Gates, Senior Fellowship in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. TA chair emeritus Tom Alberg revealed the creation of the new fellowship in front of 1,000 business, academic and community leaders gathered for the organization’s annual State of Technology Luncheon in downtown Seattle.
“Bill set the Technology Alliance’s focus on promoting a healthy entrepreneurial climate in Washington,” said Alberg, who is managing director at Madrona Venture Group. “He is also deeply committed to education in general, and the University of Washington, in particular.”
“We began thinking of a way we could honor and thank him for his leadership,” continued Alberg. “Of course, we came back to students, especially those students who are seeking to pursue an entrepreneurial path.”
Each year the fellowship will provide a University of Washington graduate student with a unique learning experience by enabling him or her to work with the TA on special projects and research geared toward improving the climate for young, innovative companies in Washington State. The fellow will have the opportunity to engage directly with experienced investors and entrepreneurs through the TA’s Alliance of Angels program, which has successfully connected active investors with early stage companies seeking funding since 1998.
“The Technology Alliance’s commitment to entrepreneurship grows stronger by the year,” observed Susannah Malarkey, Technology Alliance executive director. “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.”
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 entrepreneurship in Washington. The first William H. Gates, Senior Fellow in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will begin working with the Technology Alliance in September 2007.
“Bill set the Technology Alliance’s focus on promoting a healthy entrepreneurial climate in Washington,” said Alberg, who is managing director at Madrona Venture Group. “He is also deeply committed to education in general, and the University of Washington, in particular.”
“We began thinking of a way we could honor and thank him for his leadership,” continued Alberg. “Of course, we came back to students, especially those students who are seeking to pursue an entrepreneurial path.”
Each year the fellowship will provide a University of Washington graduate student with a unique learning experience by enabling him or her to work with the TA on special projects and research geared toward improving the climate for young, innovative companies in Washington State. The fellow will have the opportunity to engage directly with experienced investors and entrepreneurs through the TA’s Alliance of Angels program, which has successfully connected active investors with early stage companies seeking funding since 1998.
“The Technology Alliance’s commitment to entrepreneurship grows stronger by the year,” observed Susannah Malarkey, Technology Alliance executive director. “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.”
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 entrepreneurship in Washington. The first William H. Gates, Senior Fellow in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will begin working with the Technology Alliance in September 2007.
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