Tech investors help start new DC think tank

A group of venture capitalists and other big names in the technology world are putting their weight behind a new economic policy shop in Washington, D.C.

Investors like Sean Parker, who co-founded Napster, and Ron Conway, who founded SV Angel, helped form the group, which looks to focus on the benefits of start-ups and private investment in public policy.

“America’s economic greatness is rooted in entrepreneurship and innovation. But recently, the pace of globalization and technology has far exceeded the capacity of government and other traditional institutions to keep up,” according to the group’s mission statement.

The new Economic Innovation Group calls itself a think tank and advocacy organization. It says its focus is on “practical, bipartisan” solutions. It released an analysis on the state of the economic recovery Tuesday and will hold its first event with The Atlantic on April 15. 

Parker and Conway were among the many who helped found FWD.us, a technology-focused advocacy group that has pushed for immigration reform. Parker has also formed another group that focuses on civic engagement. 

Other early backers of the new group are Rebecca Lynn, Joseph Sandberg, Dana Settle, Ted Ullyot — all technology investors. 

The group will be led by a former economic adviser for President Obama, Steve Glickman and John Lettieri, a former Senate aide.