The Lehigh Valley hosted leaders in innovation and entrepreneurism from across Pennsylvania to explore ways to foster innovation, attract and retain a talented workforce, and advance economic development. 
The symposium, Powering Pennsylvania’s Future, was hosted by Lehigh University, the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation & Opportunity, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The day-long event at Lehigh University in Bethlehem on Nov. 15 focused on entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and venture creation.
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) was a sponsor of the event and LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham participated in a panel discussion, “Public (State/Federal) and Private Sector Interaction: How can government work more effectively with industry and academia to move this space forward?”
The discussion explored the critical role higher education plays in economic development as the paradigm has shifted from marketing hard-core infrastructure assets to developing a talented workforce.
Universities are magnets for young talent and prepare them for tomorrow’s economy. Regions growing with young talent, particularly those under 40, drive company location decisions. Therefore, universities can become powerful partners for driving a community’s economic prosperity.
“Kids come study here and they don’t take a moment to think about actually working here and building a life here. That’s a role for economic development. That’s a role for universities. It’s a role for all of these coalitions around the ‘Brain Gain’ and talent attraction,” Cunningham said. “It is about getting connected.”
The panel included Ryan Glenn of Ben Franklin Technology Partners; Phil Ehrig, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Director of Critical Investments; and Geanie Umberger of the National Science Foundation. The panel was moderated by Nathan Urban, Lehigh University’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The panelists explored Gov. Josh Shapiro’s emphasis on economic development as a top priority, and the state’s opportunity to improve its competitive position with other states. They stressed how foreign direct investment can strengthen regional economies. America is the No. 1 consumer market in the world and the COVID pandemic exposed supply chain weaknesses, making foreign direct investment a priority.
Urban pointed out that two international leaders call the Lehigh Valley home. B. Braun Medical, a global leader in medical device manufacturing, has its U.S.-based headquarters in the Lehigh Valley. Evonik, a world leader in specialized industrial gases, has its North American Innovation Hub here.
Cunningham agreed that international companies play an important role in the regional economy and are a great opportunity, particularly in a time where businesses are strengthening their supply chains.
“I think there is strong interest from young talent, young companies, and entrepreneurs to be in the American market, so we have to be mindful of that and market for that,” Cunningham said.
The Powering Pennsylvania’s Future symposium included three other panel discussions, and remarks by Jennifer Gilburg, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary of Technology and Entrepreneurship, and Ben Kirshner, Pennsylvania’s Chief Transformation Officer.
“Innovation to Impact: Strengthening Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and uncovering blue oceans through collaboration” featured Bob Wooldridge of Carnegie Mellon University; John Swartley of the University of Pennsylvania; and Carter Caldwell of Penn Medicine. The panel was moderated by Cindy Chepanoske, Director of Technology Licensing at the Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation at Carnegie Mellon University.
“The State of University Venture Creation: Assessing the changing culture of technology transfer and venture creation at universities” featured Bin Yan of Penn State University; Michele Marcolongo of Villanova University; and Patrice Dume of East Stroudsburg University. The panel was moderated by Dominic Packer, Associate Vice Provost for Research at Lehigh University.
“Creation and Retention of Pennsylvania’s Top Talent: Pipeline of technology transfer talent and entrepreneurial leaders in Pennsylvania” featured Angelo Valletta of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Eric Sugalski of Archimedic; Jim Gunton of Tech Council Ventures; and John Coulter of Lehigh University. The panel was moderated by Deputy Secretary Gilburg.