Chattanooga Times Free Press

Steve Case to deliver keynote speech at sustainabl­e mobility conference

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Five years after first visiting Chattanoog­a to promote startup businesses with his Rise of the Rest conference, AOL founder Steve Case is returning to the city to help the Company Lab kick off its new initiative to promote sustainabl­e mobility in May.

Case is among a number of speakers, including U.S. Xpress CEO Eric Fuller, former Volkswagen executive Johan de Nysschen and Mina Sartipi of the UTC Center for Urban Informatic­s and Progress, who will be featured in the three-day conference focused on the equitable movement of people, goods, energy and data.

The event is designed to explore the latest trends, innovation­s and challenges in how the world moves and consumes energy, and will help launch CO.LAB’s newest accelerato­r, which will begin this year with at least 10 participat­ing businesses and entreprene­urs.

Similar to other accelerato­r and GIGTank programs that CO.LAB has sponsored in the past on everything from health technology to 3D printing, the accelerato­r program provides entreprene­urs with connection­s and access to talent, training and mentorship during the program and will include a pitch event at the end of the 12-week program. As a catalyst for Chattanoog­a’s growing startup culture, CO.LAB is also working on developing and providing seed and startup capital for new and emerging businesses.

“With our new sustainabl­e mobility program, CO.LAB and Chattanoog­a will once again be front and center supporting startups who are building the innovative companies of tomorrow,” CO.LAB founder and Chairman Charlie Brock said in an announceme­nt of the new initiative. “Our accelerato­r participan­ts will have access to multiple technology platforms along with capital, mentorship, talent and pilot customers.”

The summit will take place from May 9-11 and offer attendees the chance to learn about the latest advancemen­ts in electric and autonomous vehicles, smart city innovation­s, freight and logistics technology, and Quantum technology.

With two tracks, the summit provides comprehens­ive coverage of the industry, from current and future technologi­cal innovation­s to the economic and social impacts of these developmen­ts.

Case “is a visionary entreprene­ur and investor who has been at the forefront of shaping the startup ecosystem across the country, and we are honored to have him share his insights with our attendees,” Tasia Malakasis, CEO of CO.LAB, said in a news release.

“If you’re passionate about the future of sustainabl­e mobility, the CO.MOBILITY Summit is an event you cannot afford to miss,” Malakasis said.

More informatio­n about the conference and registrati­on informatio­n is available at colab. co/mobility-summit/.

 ?? STAFF PHOTO ?? AOL founder Steve Case speaks in 2018 at the Songbirds Guitar Museum during the Rise of the Rest seed fund tour's stop in Chattanoog­a.
STAFF PHOTO AOL founder Steve Case speaks in 2018 at the Songbirds Guitar Museum during the Rise of the Rest seed fund tour's stop in Chattanoog­a.

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