Ada Jobs Foundation Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

Washington, DC – Ada Jobs Foundation won a silver category award for its Startup Ada Boot Camp,a project in the Entrepreneurship category of the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program. The honor was presented at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference held earlier in the month.

“Ada Jobs Foundation is committed to support local entrepreneurship and to help grow Ada’s start-up ecosystem,” shared James Eldridge, President and CEO of the Ada Jobs Foundation. “We are excited to have been recognized for this program and are thrilled to continue working with start-ups and small businesses in our community.”

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. 35 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from 4 countries.

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing campaigns, projects and partnerships have measurably improved regional quality of life.”

The Startup Ada Boot Camp (SABC) is a 6-week cohort-based program designed to equip entrepreneurs with the education and resources needed to take their businesses from the idea stage to being ready to pitch. SABC brings together early-stage startups and small businesses in the rural Oklahoma region for six consecutive Tuesday afternoons leading into “Demonstration Day” session at The Big Pitch Ada event at the end of the six-weeks. Each class includes an expert speaker, topic-based educational curriculum, peer-to-peer interaction, an active work period for hands-on learning, and networking opportunities. Topics include Customer Discovery, Legal Basics, Intellectual Property, Creating a Minimum Viable Product, Startup Financing, Marketing & Branding, and How to be Pitch Ready.

This year’s Startup Ada Boot Camp is currently taking place. For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/ada-jobs-foundation/