Attracting and Keeping Innovative Companies in Greater Boston

The future of Boston and its ability to compete for innovative companies and jobs was the subject of a Nov. 29 forum featuring four prominent leaders in Boston’s business, academic, media and civic communities. The forum was sponsored by Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.

Experts addressed not just how Greater Boston can better attract emerging companies, but also how to ensure that these firms remain committed to the area through all phases of their growth.

Panelists addressed why businesses often incubate in the Boston area but some leave for other regions to grow and develop, using the example of Facebook as “the one that got away.” Mark Zuckerberg -- who launched Facebook at Harvard University but moved the company to California’s Silicon Valley where it grew into a social media juggernaut -- recently was quoted as saying that if he had to do it again, he would have kept Facebook in Boston.

Panelists include:

• Peter Meade, chief economic development officer, City of Boston
• George Donnelly, editor of the Boston Business Journal
• Ed Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard University and author of Triumph of the City
• Michael Greeley, general partner at Flybridge Capital Partners, which is focused on investments in information technology, health care and medical technology

Award-winning NECN Business Reporter Peter Howe moderated the discussion.

The event is the first in a three-part series of forums called “Building Boston 2030: Is Being the Smartest City Enough?”

The second program will discuss how Boston can attract a highly skilled workforce that aligns with the needs of growing companies.

The third program will focus on how Boston can leverage smart growth and sustainability concepts in order to remain competitive.

For live updates on the series, follow us on Twitter (@SuBizSchool) and use the hashtag: #BuildingBoston2030.