TechColumbus Board Elects New Chair

(Columbus, OH – December 7, 2011) – TechColumbus announced today that Dwight Smith, Founder and CEO of Sophisticated Systems Inc., has been elected Chair of the TechColumbus Board of Directors. Smith succeeds Dr. Steve Allen, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, whose term as Chair has expired.

“Dwight Smith is an excellent choice to lead the Board as the Columbus region continues its development as a world-class tech economy,” said Dr. Allen. “Dwight is a highly respected business and community leader and technology entrepreneur and has championed the TechColumbus mission since its creation six years ago.”

Dwight Smith responded that “Steve Allen has provided outstanding leadership as Chair over the past two years, and we’re pleased he will continue to bring valuable guidance as an active Board member going forward.  I am honored to be chosen by the Board to succeed him.”

As Chair, Mr. Smith will preside over the search for a new CEO which began following long-time CEO Ted Ford’s announcement in October that he will be leaving the organization effective December 31, 2011.  Since TechColumbus’ formation in 2005, the organization has: 

•    Raised over $43 million in state and local matching funds to accelerate the creation and growth of new technology startups in the region. These funds enabled TechColumbus to find, coach, and finance dozens of new startups that have gone on to secure follow-on investment and to provide support and assistance to over 1,200 other companies region-wide.

•    Supported the expansion of the Ohio TechAngel Fund, the largest angel investor organization in the nation and a major source of follow-on capital for technology startups.

•    Won national recognition for the region as a rising tech-based economy. TechColumbus was awarded the State Science and Technology Institute’s 2009 national award for building entrepreneurial capacity.

•    Worked with Columbus business and higher education leaders on the launch of Columbus2020!, a comprehensive regional economic development strategy that builds on the strengths of TechColumbus and dramatically increases efforts to retain, expand, create and attract companies to the region.

•    Led efforts to quadruple the TechColumbus membership base and grow signature events, such as the TechColumbus Innovation Awards, Central Ohio’s premier event recognizing achievements in science, technology and business.

About TechColumbus (www.techcolumbus.org)
TechColumbus is the public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate the advancement of Central Ohio’s innovation economy.  It is distinguished by its comprehensive breadth of services, including membership, advocacy, venture acceleration and seed funding.  Through its services and programming, TechColumbus supports the innovation initiatives of all companies within the region from the newest entrepreneurial startups to the Fortune 500 companies that call Central Ohio home.  TechColumbus measures its impact through increased economic growth and the creation of high-paying jobs.  With thousands of companies served, and hundreds of millions of dollars directly or indirectly invested, TechColumbus champions the region’s world-class technology-enabled companies and is the driver of the entrepreneurial eco-system in the Columbus region.