U.S. Department of Commerce and Columbia University Announce Summit on the Future of Urban Innovation

Summit Will Focus on Evolving Role of Urban Innovation in the American Economy

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Columbia University today announced that they will co-host the first-ever Future of Urban Innovation Summit, which will take place at the Columbia University campus in New York City on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. The summit is part of the Commerce Department’s ongoing efforts, through its U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to provide information and resources to innovators and entrepreneurs in the region.

The summit will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, academics, government officials, and thought leaders in the innovation ecosystem to engage on how government, academia, and industry can work together to spur economic growth. The event will include panels on the evolving role of urban innovation in the American economy, the role of government and universities in technology development, and discussions on what investors and startups want to see in developing policy around innovation.

“One of my top priorities at the Commerce Department is working with business leaders, entrepreneurs and universities to provide the tools that innovators need to thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “In order to succeed, innovation ecosystems need support from investors, policy-makers, academics, businesses of all sizes, and local, state, and federal policy-makers. At the Future of Urban Innovation Summit, we will explore how we can continue working together with stakeholders to promote innovation that supports economic growth not only in New York City, but around the world. Columbia University is a leader in supporting innovation through its programs, and I am pleased we are partnering with them to host this important summit.”

“Columbia is regularly engaging on critical questions surrounding innovation, entrepreneurship, and how our national leadership can mobilize to ensure new technologies reach the world through business and government engagement,” said Lee Bollinger, President of Columbia University. “Partnering with the Department of Commerce for this summit in June is the next step toward answering these questions and preparing for a future of successful innovation.”

Registration for the summit is now open. For more information and to register, visit http://www.futureofurbaninnovation.com/.