Philadelphia is becoming a place made for, and by, new start-ups. Businesses as diverse as small BYOBs to biotech companies are adding to the vitality and job base from Center City to Conshohocken. But a high poverty rate and low employment growth beg the question: is our region really reaching its potential?
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Join The Philadelphia Inquirer on July 14, 2015 for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship in Philadelphia. Hear business leaders talk about what it takes to start-up, scale up, and stay here. Network with other business owners and entrepreneurs during the event and a happy hour, which will include an opportunity for young businesses to pitch their ideas.By shaping the civic dialogue about the region's business community, you'll also influence what The Philadelphia Inquirer's business desk should cover in the coming year.
 Presenting sponsor:
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What are Philadelphia's competitive advantages and weaknesses for today's start-ups and businesses? A conversation with Danielle Cohn, Comcast; Jamie Gauthier, Sustainable Business Network; Dr. Steve Tang, University City Science Center; Tom Olenzak, Independence Blue Cross; moderated by Jacob Adelman, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
A panel of entrepreneurs who have taken their companies to scale, and an organization that helps entrepreneurs scale their small businesses. A conversation with Christopher Gali, Enterprise Cloudworks; Lucinda Duncalfe, Monetate; Alyssa Thomas, Kiva.org; moderated by Diane Mastrull, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The meds and eds industry, including biotech, life sciences, academia and more, is one of the biggest job sectors in the city. How can the region retain this industry amidst growing competition from Boston, New York and other cities? A conversation with Jeff Marrazzo, Spark Therapeutics; Patrick FitzGerald, CHOP; Max Perelman, Biomeme; moderated by Charlotte Sutton, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
How are venture capital firms, incubators and co-working spaces catalyzing business growth in the city? A conversation with Jon Gosier, Third Cohort Capital; Archna Sahay, City of Philadelphia; Anthony Green, Ben Franklin Technology Partners; Moderated by Joseph DiStefano, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
