TechColumbus hires new CEO from Oklahoma economic development group

Nonprofit business development group TechColumbus has hired a new CEO from a similar organization in Oklahoma.

Tom Walker, who began his career as a research scientist at Battelle, takes the reigns of TechColumbus. TechColumbus had been led by interim CEO Tim Haynes since the group’s former leader and founder, Ted Ford, announced his resignation in October.

Walker comes to TechColumbus from Oklahoma City-based i2E (innovation to enterprise), a nonprofit that aims to grow companies in the state. The group credits itself with “dramatically increasing” the amount of risk capital available for entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.

Walker is considered a subject matter expert in technology-based economic development and is a seasoned fund manager, according to a statement from TechColumbus.

“Our imperative is to hasten the rate at which inventions move to the marketplace and Tom has demonstrated that ability,” said TechColumbus board chair Dwight Smith.

TechColumbus provides business development assistance to startups, manages funds from the state’s Third Frontier technology acceleration program, operates a business incubator and advocates for the area’s tech industry.

TechColumbus has helped develop several healthcare startups including surgical products company Minimally Invasive Devices, cell culture startup Nanofiber Solutions and MRI-compatible treadmill company EXCMR.

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