Second Annual Ada Entrepreneurial Summit Focuses on Building Rural Startup Ecosystems
ADA, OKLAHOMA – The Ada Jobs Foundation (AJF) is dedicated to improving entrepreneurial services, assets, and the culture of entrepreneurship in Ada. With entrepreneurship as a leading focus for AJF, they will host the 2019 Ada Entrepreneurial Summit (AES) on March 28 and 29 in Ada, Oklahoma with the theme “Building Rural Startup Ecosystems”.
Over the day and a half summit, the AES is specifically focused on rural startup ecosystems and how to better collaborate, connect resources, and create a community culture that supports startups and entrepreneurship.
“In 2018 when the event was first held the goal was to introduce local and statewide entrepreneurial resources to the community. It was exciting to see the community respond so well to the event and have all the seats booked,” shared AJF Entrepreneurship Specialist and event organizer Srijita Dia Ghosh. “This year we are specifically focusing on rural startup ecosystems because we realize that even though fundamentally all startup ecosystems have similar requirements such as an open environment to share ideas, access to capital and connection to resources; smaller communities have some unique challenges, and advantages that need to be highlighted.”
The event kicks off at 3 pm on March 28th with an opening party at The Grandview. Attendees are invited to participate in the brainstorming session “What does a successful rural startup ecosystem look like?”. Following the brainstorming session, the floor will be open for networking and fun. Attendees can check-in early for the summit and meet old friends, while making new ones.
The fun, education, and networking continues at 8 am the next day, Friday, March 29, at the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center. The action-packed agenda includes a line up of expert speakers who also play an important role in the Oklahoma entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Entrepreneurial ecosystem building is community at its best,” stated AES 2019 luncheon speaker Cecilia Wessinger with the Kauffman Foundation. “When we support our neighbors to do purposeful work, we empower ourselves and people around us. We’re not waiting for outside sources to save us, we’re growing our own. Communities like Ada are recognizing that while no one person or one company has the answer, all of us have part of the solution. I’m excited to be part of Ada’s journey towards identifying it’s answers and advocating for their community.”
“The Ada Jobs Foundation has recognized entrepreneurship as a key economic development strategy,” shared Ada Jobs Foundation President James Eldridge. “We have observed that one of the best ways to help encourage locate entrepreneurs is to create a better and supportive business environment. We hope this summit helps grow this support in new and exciting ways.”
This event is hosted in partnership with
East Central University Stonecipher School of Business, Pontotoc Technology Center, REI Oklahoma, The Grandview Event Center, and Culligan of Ada.
Registration is free, but seating is limited. Register to attend ASAP HERE. For more information contact the Ada Jobs Foundation at 580.235.0070 or info@growada.com
Download agenda HERE!