Southeast Shoutouts | United Way of Greater Atlanta hires an Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Synapse Florida, the nonprofit behind the area's biggest innovation conference, has cut staff and started discussions about what's next for the organization.
From Atlanta, GA:
Hypepotamus reports that the United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) is taking a page out of the start-up playbook with the hiring of its new Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR). Sanjay Parekh, an Atlanta-based founder and serial entrepreneur who was selected for the position, will lead UWGA Labs. The initiative is designed to “identify and nurture consumer-centric social ventures.”
In the article that features an interview with Parekh, he describes how he visualizes the EIR role. “For me, the vision is to first improve what we’re already doing and, in the process, either increase our capabilities, generate revenue, or ideally both. After that, it will be looking at other areas of opportunity where we can get involved and quickly launch new products or services that help everyone achieve more and allow us to continue expanding our impact across Greater Atlanta.”
Parekh founded or co-founded 10 companies, including Mirage Data (an Engage-backed company) and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, which has grown to be a “living laboratory” for transportation technology. He also co-hosts Tech Talk Y’all, a popular tech-focused podcast that has been running since 2017.
From Tampa, FL:
Tampa Bay Inno reports that Synapse Florida, the nonprofit behind the area’s biggest innovation conference, has cut staff and started discussions about what’s next for the organization. The publication quotes Co-Founder Andy Hafer as saying the cuts are a prudent move to ensure the organization is being a good steward of donations and sponsorships while it pivots. “Given we’re not sure exactly what specific activities and goals we’re going to have to accomplish over the next five years, we have had a layoff of staff, and we’ve been helping them find other things to do,” Hafer said.
From Baton Rouge, LA:
Nexus Louisiana has been selected by Startup World Cup to host a regional pitch competition where the winner will later advance to compete in Silicon Valley for a chance to win $1 million. Scheduled during Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week’s “High Stakes Pitch Competition” on May 9, the event presents an invaluable opportunity for Louisiana start-ups to showcase their ingenuity and vie for a chance to compete on the global stage at the esteemed Startup World Cup Grand Finale set for October 4 in San Francisco, CA.
