Join us to explore ways that Government and emerging and small businesses can work together and benefit each other.
Think of government and innovation, government and small businesses as diametrically opposite? Think it again!
Join me to explore ways that Government and emerging and small businesses can work together and benefit each other, by a fireside chat with two leading experts who have worked in the conjunction of government and small and emerging businesses: Stan Soloway and Katie Bilek.
During the chat we’ll try to address the topics below:
Gov space where emerging and small businesses can have a sweet spot: e.g. digital services; business processes
Gov contracting 101: difference between a startup and an emerging business
Gov financing 101: SBIR, STTR and other alternative financing vehicles
Date: Thu, October 8, 2020
Time: 12-1PM PST
Location: Online
Cost: Free
About Stan Soloway
Stan Soloway is President & CEO of Celero Strategies, LLC, a full-service strategic consultancy focused on the federal market.
Prior to founding Celero Strategies in January, 2016, Stan served for 15 years as the President & CEO of the Professional Services Council, the largest and most influential national association of government technology and professional services firms. While at PSC, Soloway was the industry’s leading voice, policy strategist and resource for both government and the private sector. He regularly testified before Congress, was a prolific writer, appeared often on radio and television; and was routinely sought out by both corporate and government organizations to discuss current market trends, dynamics and strategies. Stan was the recipient of the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Government Technology Leadership Award and, in 2015, was inducted into the Greater Washington Government Contractor Hall of Fame. He also was named the IT Industry Executive of the Year in 2013 by Government Computer News; has regularly been named one of the 100 most influential business leaders in Washington (Washington Business Journal) and one of the 100 most influential figures in national defense (Defense News and Gannett). He is a three-time winner of the Federal 100 Award for his leadership in federal information technology and is a Fellow of both the National Academy of Public Administration and the National Contract Management Association, where he also serves on the Executive Advisory Board. He is a principal at the Partnership for Public Service where he serves as a Senior Advisor to Government Executives (SAGE) and in 2016 was appointed to the Community Advisory Board of WAMU Radio, Washington, DC’s National Public Radio outlet.
During the second half of the Clinton Administration, Stan served as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense and was responsible for wide-ranging reforms to defense acquisition and technology policy and practices, and broader department-wide re-engineering. In recognition of his leadership in the department, Stan was awarded both the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
As passionate believer in the importance and value of public service, Stan also served from 2007 to 2013 as a Senate-confirmed member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps and other national service programs, and is a major source of funding and leadership for community service organizations across the nation. Earlier in his career he was a public policy and public affairs consultant for nearly 20 years. He also co-produced the acclaimed PBS series “Great Confrontations at the Oxford Union.”
About Katie Bilek
Katie Bilek is the Co-Founder, govmates Consortium, and SVP, Republic Capital Access.
Govmates serves as the bridge between Government and Industry – maintain deep industry ties with thousands of non-traditional contractors.
Republic Capital Access, LLC is a leading provider of financing to companies doing business with the U.S. Government. They offer a unique approach to providing capital to businesses that provide goods and services to the U.S. Government, either directly or through contractual arrangements with U.S. Government contractors. They work with start-ups, companies in growth modes, companies going through mergers and acquisitions, or facing financial challenges, to structure unique funding solutions based on the company’s specific financing needs.
About WAFFA
The Wharton Alumnae Founders & Funders Association (WAFFA) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to accelerate the success of Penn Wharton female founders and investors. Today, 13% of Penn founders are women but they raise just 6% of venture capital. WAFFA harnesses the power of the Penn Wharton network to educate, support, and foster connections for female founders and funders.
