Becoming A Viable Startup Ecosystem: Jeff Amerine at TEDxBentonville

Jeff Amerine is a startup junkie and advisor for entrepreneurs in Northwest Arkansas. In the talk he's titled "Becoming a Viable Startup Ecosystem," Jeff shares the components of a startup-rich region and how Northwest Arkansas is beginning to emerge as a place for ideas.

Jeff's career has involved creating, financing and deploying high-tech telecommunications and information technology products and services. He has held senior leadership positions in seven startup ventures and three Fortune 500 companies over the past 22 years. Jeff joined the University of Arkansas Technology Licensing Office in February 2008. His role at the University is to implement effective strategies and methods that lead to commercialization of world-class research. In addition, Jeff teaches entrepreneurship and at the Walton College of Business. Jeff also serves as a consultant to a state program called Innovate Arkansas which is chartered with the creation and support of a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas. Over the past 4 years Innovate Arkansas has served over 100 clients and has helped them raise $75 million in public and private funding.

Jeff holds a BS, Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy, an MS in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and is pursuing a doctorate in workforce development education at the University of Arkansas. Jeff is a certified project management professional (PMP) in good standing since 2002.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)