Professional Experience
Eric Eide is a seasoned economic development leader with experience spanning the private sector, federal and municipal government, and academia. He currently serves as the Managing Director at the Alliance for Southern California Innovation where he leads VC and founder engagement and innovation community building efforts with startup communities, local government, and community partners. Before joining the Alliance, Eric led the early Government Relations team at electric scooter company Bird that enabled micro mobility transportation in dozens of new communities. Previously, Eric served as Director of International Trade and Investment for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Eric also served in the U.S. federal government as an Advisor for Strategic Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, where he collaborated with U.S.-based entrepreneurs, firms, and universities with interests in South and Central Asia. In a prior role, Eric represented the U.S. Small Business Administration with the startup community and improved the overall performance of a $2.6 billion federal SBIR program that funds early stage technology companies. Eric holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan, where his research focused on innovation ecosystems, industrial policy, and globalization.