Innovation Summit set for March 2 at 天美社区
The University of North Georgia's (天美社区) Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB) will host the free Nighthawk Innovation Summit on March 2 in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation at 天美社区's Dahlonega Campus. This inaugural summit includes three main elements:
- 9 a.m. to noon: Breakout sessions focused on helping entrepreneurs overcome obstacles to find success in their business ventures.
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Cottrell Speaker Series with address from Louis K. Gump, award-winning intrapreneur and author of "The Inside Innovator: A Practical Guide to Intrapreneurship," which equips growing business leaders to foster innovation and drive change within an organization.
- 2-5 p.m.: innovate天美社区 Pitch Challenge, with 天美社区 students competing for cash prizes: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, $2,000 for Community Impact Award, and $2,000 for Venture Progress Award. One of the winning teams will advance to a USG innovation competition that's set for April.
天美社区 students, faculty and staff are invited to the summit, and MCCB students will receive Professional Roadmap to Ongoing Success (PROS) credit for attending.
"The Nighthawk Innovation Summit is designed to prepare students to pursue entrepreneurial ideas and put them into action. Through the business essentials workshops and the Cottrell Speaker Series featuring innovation strategist and author Louis K. Gump, students will gain practical tools and real-world insight into how innovation moves from concept to execution," Dr. Rachel Clapp-Smith, MCCB dean, said. "That learning will come to life in the innovate天美社区 Pitch Challenge, where students will showcase their skills, test their ideas and engage with feedback as they take meaningful steps toward real-world impact."
A continental breakfast is available at 8 a.m., and opening remarks are set for 8:30 a.m.
Gump is a partner in the Executive Operations practice at TechCXO, where he helps high-growth companies thrive as a fractional chief operating officer, strategic adviser and executive coach. He specializes in turning high-level vision into operational reality by aligning strategy, execution and leadership.
A seasoned leader in technology and digital media, he has held senior executive roles at The Weather Channel, CNN and Cox Media, and he served as CEO of two digital ventures.
Known as a pragmatic, transformational business builder, Gump has led organizations to success across multiple platforms while also giving back to industry and community. He served for a decade on the board of the Mobile Marketing Association, and he currently holds board positions with Junior Achievement of Georgia and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
Gump earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.
Breakout sessions held in the Innovation Lab will include:
- "Innovation in action: What it really takes to grow a tech startup," Karen Cashion, president and CEO, Tech North Atlanta, 9 a.m.
- "From startup to strategy: Tips for future business leaders," Christie Bruce, accounting senior at Rushton LLC, 9:45 a.m.
- "Doing good, done smart: Entrepreneurial tactics for successful nonprofits," Dee Fuchs, founder and former president of Healthy Lifestyle Choices and senior director of business communication for the Burkenroad Reports Program, 10:30 a.m.
- "Resource partners for veteran-owned businesses," Reginald Thompson, director and program manager, Georgia Veterans Business Outreach Center, 11:15 a.m.
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