2013 is a big year in Boston, as we'll be tasked with electing a mayor who isn't named Tom Menino for the first time in 20 years. Whoever wins the top job will have big shoes to fill, but there is much opportunity to build on Menino's success in making our city a global leader in technology and innovation across a number of industries.
To that end, BostInno has teamed up with the New England Venture Capital Association to ask the candidates a series of questions regarding their stance on how they plan to develop our startup community and innovation economy.
After surveying our audience, the following group worked together to determine the questions:
Melissa Ablett, General Manager, BostInno
Joshua Boger, Founder, Vertex and Executive Chairman, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals
Jeff Bussgang, Partner, Flybridge Capital Partners
Chase Garbarino, CEO and Co-founder, Streetwise Media
Diane Hessan, President and CEO, Communispace
Casey Hogan, President, Northeastern University Entrepreneurs Club
Shaun Johnson, Co-founder, Startup Institute
Tim Rowe, Founder and CEO, Cambridge Innovation Center
Paris Wallace, President and CEO, Ovuline
C.A. Webb, Executive Director, New England Venture Capital Association
Over the next two weeks, we will be rolling out the candidates' answers to the following questions:
1. As the home of one of the world’s top innovation clusters, Boston is disproportionately impacted by national policy issues such as immigration, creating access to new types of risk capital, and patent law reform. Mayors of the great U.S. cities have always played an important role on the national stage, advocating for the interests of their constituents. How do you see yourself advocating for Boston’s innovation constituency?
2. According to the U.S. Census/Kauffman study, startups generate nearly all net new jobs. What would you do to make Boston more attractive to entrepreneurs who can take their pick of great cities throughout the world?
3. Attracted by the concentration of talent and amenities in the Innovation District, Boston’s high tech companies and startups are moving into the city in increasing numbers. What is your attitude towards recreating Innovation Districts throughout the city, and how would you ensure public access to any new clusters that might be located farther from the city center?
4. Many people feel that Boston needs to elevate its reputation as one of the great cities of the world. Do you agree? If so, how would you set about making this happen? Would you consider hiring a Chief Marketing Officer?
5. What can Boston do to ensure that its college students decide to stay here after graduation and contribute their considerable talents and energy to our ecosystem?
We encourage everyone in Greater Boston's business community to take note of the candidates' answers as we believe that Boston would greatly benefit from a forward thinking mayor with an agenda to strengthen Boston's standing as a global business hub.
In order to assist our readers in determining the best candidate to support, BostInno and Streetwise Media will be voting as an editorial board to support two candidates before the September 24th primary, as well as a final candidate before the election in November.
