NTIA/FCC Model City workshop

Joe Kochan

April 15, 2015

Public-private partnership

Launched in 2012

501(c)(3)

What is US Ignite?

Our Goals

60 next-generation applications1

Infrastructure

Next-Gen Applications

Economic Leadership

200 community testbeds2

Coordinate best practices3

Current partners

US Ignite fosters the creation of next-generation Internet applications that provide transformative public benefit

STRATEGIES:

A. Assemble and maintain a community of public-private partners that support US Ignite

B. Identify opportunities for new businesses that drive entrepreneurial energy and economic development

C. Stimulate the development of compelling next-generation applications that deliver on national priorities

Established entrepreneurial accelerator program:

Burlington, Vermont

• Assembled team under mayor’s leadership to complete BTV Ignite Playbook • Enhanced community infrastructure• Identified core application capabilities: cyber-security, edu-gaming, additive

manufacturing,and food systems • Stimulated constant stream of application development events for small businesses • Coordinated best-practice sharing nationwide• Unleashed groundswell of national publicity and entrepreneurial activity• Burlington named one of Top Ten Most-Promising Tech Hubs to Watch in 2014

Established entrepreneurial accelerator program:

Flint, Michigan

• Assembled accelerator team under mayor’s leadership to complete Flint Ignite Playbook • Discovered and mapped under-utilized fiber infrastructure to schools and other anchor

institutions• Began planning for 8 new applications that could utilize existing fiber infrastructure • Identified core application capabilities:, transportation logistics, automotive manufacturing

Engaged entrepreneurial community within Flint and Kettering, UofM Flint, MSU, and Mott Community College

• Began planning constant stream of application development events for small businesses

Established entrepreneurial accelerator program:

Red Wing, Minnesota

• Formed Red Wing Ignite non-profit organization• Ensured HBC fiber reached business accelerator co-working space and end users

throughout the community• Established small business equity fund • Identified core application capabilities: manufacturing, healthcare, public safety,

transportation and education• Held application development events for small businesses • Coordinated best-practice sharing nationwide