David Ponraj is the Founder and CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC), a national technology and advisory firm transforming how communities support small business growth. A first-generation immigrant, David has spent his career ensuring that every entrepreneur regardless of zip code or background has equitable access to the resources, networks, and support needed to succeed.

Since founding EIC in 2018, David has built the company into a trusted partner for economic development organizations across the country. EIC now serves more than 200 ecosystems in 35 states, supporting over 100,000 small business owners through Catalyzer, its flagship technology platform. Catalyzer delivers what traditional business support often misses: integrated digital resources, localized community connections, and outcome-driven tools that help both entrepreneurs and the organizations serving them measure real progress. 

Before launching EIC, David led global innovation initiatives at The Nielsen Company, where he developed expertise in market research, data analytics, and building scalable systems, an experience that now drives EIC's technology-enabled approach to inclusive economic development. 

A recognized thought leader in ecosystem building and inclusive innovation, David is a sought-after speaker at national and regional conferences. His leadership has earned recognition including Titan 100 CEO and Business Observer 40 Under 40. He also hosts Breaking Down Barriers, a podcast featuring changemakers advancing equity in entrepreneurship and economic mobility. David brings to the IEDC Board a systems-level perspective on leveraging data, technology, and strategic partnerships to strengthen economic development practice and build more resilient, opportunity-rich communities worldwide.