| In 2004, a
series of events led to the meeting of three like-minded individuals:
Chris Ritchie, Jesse Redman and Chris Crafford. The original
purpose of these meetings was to share ideas and resources
in a confidential manner. The idea of sharing in this type
of setting was so compelling and helpful that discussion soon
turned to what groups in Austin provided this type of service
to the inventor and entrepreneur community. After discovering
that there were no resources available in the spirit of unbiased,
confidential services; the three decided to found a non-profit
association to assist like minded entrepenours, professionals
and students.
The focus of the group was intentionally targeted at both inventors
and entrepreneurs. The founders felt like
serving the needs of both of these groups would bring the
most value-add to the community. While all kinds of inventors
and entrepreneurs are welcome, the charter of the associaition
was aimed at those who had ideas and would benefit from help
in the form of information and resources. It was not the intent
of the original charter to provide new business resources
that fall more in the category of small business resources
that are served by other organizations in Austin.
The first meeting was held in January of 2004 followed by
a string of monthly meetings throughout the year covering
a wide variety of topics was presented by a number of talented
professionals from the Austin community. Attendance ranged
from 20 to 50 over the course of the year settling out to
a regular 20 members. While the first year of existence for
the association required focused attention by the founders
to maintain momentum, it was generally held that the association
was providing an important service to the community.
By mid-year the group discussed the merits of filing for
non-profit status formally on its own or to take advantage
of an opportunity to leverage the non-profit status of the
Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. AIEA chose to affiliate
with GACC for leverage of resource, credibility and mutual
benefit.
From these humble beginnings came the Austin Inventors and
Entrepreneurs Association.
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