Without vision entrepreneurship cannot flourish.

While that statement is true, vision alone does not ensure a successful entrepreneur. It also helps to have technical, managerial, marketing, sales and financial expertise.

Stephen Tang knows a thing or two about being an entrepreneur – and a good one at that. As president and CEO of the University City Science Center since 2008, Mr. Tang is the organization’s first president to have not only led a company through venture funding and an initial public offering, but to also serve as a senior executive with a huge life sciences company as it acquired and integrated smaller startups.

LVEDC is pleased to announce it is hosting Mr. Tang as part of LVEDC’s Innovation Talent and Entrepreneurship Council’s celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week in the Lehigh Valley at 6 p.m. on November 19^th at the Allentown Brew Works. Tang’s appearance will feature a discussion on how entrepreneurs help build a regional economy.

The discussion will be followed by networking and the event is open to all LVEDC investors and members of the ITE Council.

November is shaping up as a hot month for entrepreneurs and startups.

In addition to Mr. Tang’s appearance, Lehigh Valley Tech will host Lehigh Valley Startup Weekend from November 15^th through November 17^th. Meanwhile, Ben Franklin Tech Ventures will host its popular Venture Idol on November 21^st, and the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University is assisting LVEDC with the coordination of a bus tour of entrepreneurial development in the Lehigh Valley.

Mr. Tang has a distinguished track record of achievement in entrepreneurship. He previously served as a life science, energy technology and management consulting executive and as group vice president and general manager with Olympus America Inc., where he led U.S. operations for the company’s $1 billion global Life Sciences businesses. Before joining Olympus in 2005, he was president and CEO of Millennium Cell Inc., an energy technology firm he led through its initial public offering 13 years ago.

Just two years ago, then U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke appointed Mr. Tang to the U.S. Innovation Advisory Board. The 15-member board produced a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation to help inform national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation and global competitiveness.

LVEDC invites guests and new members to attend this ITE Council gathering. The ITE Council represents its partners, investors, industry professionals and entrepreneurs from the Lehigh Valley.

The council serves dual roles at LVDC. It is set up to advise the Executive Committee on matters relevant to our Mission. It is also empowered to facilitate and assist making programs, education and resources available to individuals, entrepreneurs and industry.

For more information about joining the ITE Council, please contact Matthew Tuerk, LVEDC’s vice president of administration and investor relations, at mtuerk@lehighvalley.org or at 610-266-2216.

To sign up for the ITE event featuring Mr. Tang, please use our EvenbtBrite link.