Developed | The App Economy Tour was a series of events that brought entrepreneurs, business leaders, industry experts, and local, state, and federal officials together for discussions on next-generation apps, game-changing mobile solutions, and innovations driving the app ecosystem. These events provided an opportunity for developers and entrepreneurs to get more insight into how to build a brand, what rules and regulations they must be mindful of, how to get into app stores quickly and efficiently, and how to figure out what comes next in terms of funding streams and business opportunities.
Now that sounds great, but what does all that really mean? What did attendees experience? What did we really talk about? Look no further than this blog (and our Mid-Tour Check-In)! After touring the United States, we packed up our gear, made our way back to DC, and are hitting you with the city-by-city Developed Tour Finale. We’re answering the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How,” and including all the Developed content you could ever want.
Charleston – The Silicon Harbor was home to our seventh stop on the Developed Tour, and it did not disappoint! #DevelopedCharleston, hosted at Edmund’s Oast Brewing, had a robust lineup of panelists and speakers who were eager to discuss cybersecurity, privacy and encryption, and the importance of community in Charleston’s start up and small business scene. Speakers included:
- Tracy McKee, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Charleston
- Peter Lamotte, Chernoff Newman
- Glenn Starkman, Soteria
- Wiley Becker, Alerion Ventures
- Kaity Miller, Level Up Coding Institute
- Katrina Rosemond, Apple HBCU Scholar
New Orleans – What better way to celebrate the first Developed of 2020 than in the city of New Orleans?! Panelists and attendees gathered at Port Orleans Brewing Co. in the heart of NOLA’s Irish Channel for a discussion centered around what makes software successful. This panel focused on finding the right audience for your application, using points of culture to build an app for your audience, and how to work with venture capitalists on growth goals. Speakers included local government officials and leaders within the social impact driven start-up community:
- Michael Ince, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Lt. Governor’s Office
- Keith Lampkin, Chief of Staff to Councilmember-at-Large for City of New Orleans
- Gianna Darville, Apple HBCU Scholar
- Aaron Walker, Camelback Ventures
- Louis David, New Orleans Business Alliance
- Maxwell Walters, Revelry Labs
Santa Monica – The next city on Developed Tour – and first stop in the state of California – was Santa Monica. Attendees and participants gathered at The Dudes Brew Co., just a few steps from the Santa Monica Pier, for an evening of discussions around diversity, marketing, platforms and how platforms enable developers to create products much faster with a much lower cost, as well as policy issues impacting small tech startups – particularly the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). Speakers included:
- Marc Fischer, CEO, Dogtown Media
- CJ Pasley, Managing Partner, of the Marcus Graham Project & Co-Founder of Topik
- Alex McLeod, Associate Policy Counsel, ACT | The App Association
- Suzanne Border, Co-Founder, BadVR
Oakland – Oakland was our second California stop, and while many might associate Silicon Valley with innovation in Northern California, Oakland proved to be an app ecosystem that stands alone. Those who choose to build their business in Oakland work to build a robust and inclusive community that fosters collaboration and inclusion. Over beers and snacks at Ghost Town Brewing, the panel discussed their experiences with funding, the ups and downs of CCPA, and diversity and inclusion. Speakers included:
- Les Schmidt, Executive Director, BRIIA
- Eric Goldman, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University
- Stephen Forte, Fresco Ventures
- Lu Zhang, Fusion Fund
Houston – #DevelopedHouston took place at a less than ideal time for Astros fans to deal with an influx of at least five Nats fans, but panelists and participants were on their A game. While Houston has been associated with oil, gas, and energy companies, a booming app ecosystem is springing up as the city’s population grows. Panelists covered everything from platforms and data privacy to advice on how to tap into Houston’s app economy and ways to improve the future workforce. Speakers included:
- Betsy Furler, For All Abilities
- Lance Davis, Apple HBCU Scholar
- Milford Stevenson, UMALIC & The Marketing Paper
St. Louis – Our final stop took us to the “Gateway to the West,” otherwise known as St. Louis. Over the last decade or so, St. Louis has became home to a mighty tech community with a true emphasis on community. Panelists highlighted the communal nature in St. Louis that empowers businesses of all stages, even suggesting that they’ve seen an influx of developers looking to relocate from the more “cut-throat” coasts. Additionally, discussions included platforms and how developers use them, data privacy, and creative ways to build and market software. Speakers included:
- Kevin Hagens, Topik
- Jennifer Ehlen, Prosper Women Entrepreneurs & Portfolia
- Lois Lewis, Wanders RV & CoCreate Collective
- Gv Freeman, Software Field Manual & okapi
