After almost 10 years supporting and leading GAIN (Gainesville Area Innovation Network), Lee May will be leaving GAIN at the end of June to begin an international “Eat, Pray, Love” expedition. Lee was instrumental in GAIN’s operations and growth, and will be missed as GAIN’s Executive Director and as a member of GAIN’s Board of Directors.
David Flores, who has been a member of GAIN’s Board of Directors for years and is currently an Executive Officer, will be assuming the role of interim Executive Director. David will be supported by Rachel Brock and Dylan Schreiner, each of whom joined GAIN’s staff earlier this year.
New Focus – Form, Fund, and Grow Local Startups
GAIN is now narrowing its focus to optimize resources and support for local founders of scalable/high-growth businesses. In particular, GAIN will tailor activities and design programs to help entrepreneurs with three activities: Forming, Funding, and Growing their startups.
These activities mean different things for different founders. For example, a founder developing a smartphone app will navigate a development and commercialization path that is very different from a biotech company. In response, GAIN will now organize activities, operations, and events/programs to focus on three types of startup and growth-stage companies:
(1) technology companies
(2) life science companies
(3) manufacturing/niche services
GAIN will continue to organize community-wide networking events and will also design industry-specific events/programs and personally match interested GAIN members with relevant mentors, investors, and subject matter experts.
