Former
Neyer Holdings Venture Capital Investor Elizabeth Edwards has started a new consulting company aimed at upping entrepreneurial investment across the Midwest and South.
Metro Innovation, which launched this month, will organize citywide innovation contests and weekend startup events connecting entrepreneurs and funders. Edwards has founded similar Cincinnati events, like
InOneWeekend, where entrepreneurs create a startup in three days.
"I finally decided to take my own advice and start my own company," said Edwards, who has more than seven years experience in venture capital and consulting strategy.
Edwards is relying on a contract network of capitol investors, tech transfer professionals and strategy consultants to launch these events in several cities, working with local government officials, individuals and chambers of commerce. She's currently talking with the City of Milwaukee.
"What I've set out to do is take a lot of these programs that really help catalyze aspects of the city: workforce, investment capital and lot of the great ideas that are floating around, to create more startup companies. That ultimately creates jobs," said the Oakley resident.
Edwards is focusing on the Midwest and South because historically those regions have lagged behind others in terms of startup investment per capita.
"In many cases there is limited access to venture capital, early stage growth capital. It's like pouring gas on a fire, giving (entrepreneurs) a resource like capital so they can go forth, to develop software or whatever needs to be done," she said.
Edwards is also hosting a two hour-working shop "How to Finance a Startup" Jan. 19 at the CincinnatiUSA Regional Chamber Learning Center at 4th and Vine downtown. Find out more
here.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Elizabeth Edwards, founder Metro Innovation