Blackstone Challenge Organization, Bunker Labs Holds Summit in Seattle

Bunker Labs Summit Recap

Bunker Labs just held its annual summit in Seattle where the organization celebrated five years since their launch in Chicago. World Business Chicago’s Blackstone/ChicagoNEXT Consultant, Moira Hardek attended the two days of talks, panels and networking in support of the Blackstone Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge.

In its second year, the Blackstone Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge focused on three select organizations – West Side Forward, Future Founders, and Bunker Labs – who were awarded additional grants totaling $1.7M to refine and expand their programs that support traditionally underserved entrepreneurs. The program advances inclusive economic growth by continuing its mission of investing in entrepreneurship to support new ventures and job creation.

Entrepreneurs, funding and strategic partners, along with nonprofit, tech and civic leadership attended the Bunker Labs Summit in Seattle. The summit featured multiple breakout sessions covering topics such as how veteran service organizations can best help veterans and the value of the City Leader network, as well as Bunker Labs’ three-year strategy. Additional speakers covered the importance of support and struggle for entrepreneurs along with ecosystem explorations, and market hurdles and opportunities. With Starbucks as the host of the summit, CEO Todd Connor and Matt Kress, the senior manager of Veteran and Military Affairs at Starbucks welcomed all to the event.

The summit also featured a fireside chat with Bob McDonald, the former US Secretary of Veteran Affairs and former chairman, president and CEO of Procter & Gamble. Bob spoke with Bunker Labs CEO Todd Connor about leadership.

In 2020, the Bunker Labs Summit will be held in Chicago. For more information on the Blackstone Challenge or to view the full report, read more here: http://www.staging.wbc.cliquedomains.com/blackstone-challenge/