MKE Tech Hub Coalition’s Post

#Norfolk has all the building blocks to become a leading tech hub in the UK, but is it doing enough? 🚀 In a recent panel, experts weighed in on the challenges and opportunities facing Norfolk's tech ecosystem, and here’s what we learned: 🔹 Tech as an Enabler: Tech is transforming industries from social care to biosciences and creative industries. But Norfolk hasn’t fully exploited this potential. Why not? Could better leadership and investment make the difference? 🔹 Political Will: Across political parties, there’s agreement that tech is crucial to Norfolk’s future. Yet, regional leaders still struggle to fully capitalize on tech’s potential. What's missing? Stronger strategies and more investment. 🔹 Institutions + Talent: With local powerhouses like University of East Anglia, Norwich University of the Arts, Hethel Innovation, Norwich Research Park, the region has the talent and research hubs to become a tech leader. So why aren’t we seeing more results? 🔹 Next Steps: There’s a clear need for long-term vision and strategic leadership. Norfolk needs to stop reacting and start leading if it’s going to compete nationally. What can be done to turn Norfolk into a true tech hub? James Charles Adams, Jane James, Steve Morphew, Steffan Aquarone MP seek the answers in the full panel discussion (link in the comments)!

Downtowns and the New Industrial Geography As I’ve written before, the U.S. is experiencing a profound economic restructuring, catalyzed by major federal investments via the CHIPS and Science Sct, Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations for the Department of Defense. After years of offshoring and outsourcing, the U.S. is beginning to reshore manufacturing across multiple sectors. My recent piece in Governing Magazine explores what this might mean for downtowns, which are facing significant challenges due to the rise in hybrid and remote work in the aftermath of the pandemic. Now downtowns are not going to be the location for 1000 acre semi-conductor facilities. But they have the potential to be hubs for the innovation, workforce and suppliers needed to fuel the new manufacturing renaissance. The piece highlights several developments in Chicago, Dayton, Newark, Syracuse and, yes, even San Francisco. Thx to Julie Wagner and The Global Institute on Innovation Districts for their pathbreaking research on market and district dynamics and to Frances Kern Mennone for her insights around the need for central business districts to diversify their economic base. https://lnkd.in/efEViN94

We’ve heard of the “political will” to support #tech and #startups in #Norwich (to Steve Morphew point, actually Norwich in place not just in name, where we support coffee shops, sandwich shops, nightlife etc.,) We can point to Hethel Innovation -> large scale investment to support businesses in manufacturing. Norwich Research Park -> capitalising on leading innovation from a global research and academic talent pool Yet when we started Akcela Ventures - it would become the only startup incubator in the city. Privately funded for our first 2 years. With the support of Connected Innovation - and the amazing team (James Allen - Scott Cogman - Katie Snell delivering a vision set by Roberta Willner and Chris Starkie) we are managing to support more startups than ever, but we there is so much more to be done. To accelerate the flywheel, which is gaining momentum, our community needs: - Funded space to allow early stage founders to collaborate and remove the barriers to joining the entrepreneurial ecosystem. - Further scale from entrepreneurs and exited founders that can guide and nurture the future of talent. If you have the focal point, this will follow. - Investment pathways and these will continue to develop and grow as the flywheel turns and the outside world sees what we are building here in Norwich. What else do we need? Andy Lloyd ViridiPath Newfangled Games Henry Hoffman Frederick Hoffman Glowfrog Games Kate Killick Tech Educators Kate Y. Tim Smith Jez Johns Moss Monkey Games Alfie Wright GoDesk Tom Roberts Hayden Kerr Eido Research Vickie Allen Property Toolkit Benjamin Donnellan-Bouchier Tristan Gordon Simon Kincaid George Wood CleverGoose C-J Green

Tech Hubs are at the forefront of ecosystem-led economic development. Regions across the country have been competing for a piece of this $500 million Economic Development Administration program to spur innovation, enhance economic competitiveness, and foster equitable growth. Phase two of the competition closed last week. Here I share some lessons learned so far, my perspective on ecosystems, and highlight a local company - Baltimore-based EcoMap Technologies, Inc. - that is leading the way. https://lnkd.in/dyy9wvvw

Pushing the Boundaries of Business: Michigan's Tech Renaissance It’s clear that the most successful businesses in Michigan share a common thread – a commitment to innovation through technology. At the recent tech meet-up at UWM, we saw this thread turn into a superhighway. From local startups to established giants, Michigan companies are not just keeping pace; they’re setting the tempo for the tech transformation. We're witnessing a renaissance, a new industrial revolution powered by bytes and bandwidth. It's not just about adopting the latest tech—it’s about embedding innovation into the DNA of our businesses. We’re building smart, agile operations that are as resilient as they are pioneering. As I collaborate with Michigan's diverse talent pool, I'm seeing firsthand how we're driving growth and shaping futures. If your business is ready to join this movement and push the envelope, let’s talk. Connect with me to explore how we can turbocharge your tech and turn today’s potential into tomorrow's success. #Innovation #Technology #MichiganBusiness #TechRevolution #PushingBoundaries #ConnectWithAndrew

🚨 What makes Grand Rapids' tech community stand out? It’s not just innovation — it’s collaboration. 🧑 💼 👩🏼💼 💻 In most tech hubs, it's every company for itself. But in Grand Rapids, competitors are co-hosting events, sharing insights, and even working together on projects. It’s a unique culture of coopetition (collaboration between business competitors) — and it’s driving innovation like never before.✨ 🔥 Our CEO Josh Barker recently shared his thoughts with Purpose Jobs on why abundance beats scarcity and how being real with others is the key to success. ⚡ 💡 Curious about how Grand Rapids tech leaders are redefining the game? Dive in here 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q02YV4KG0 #TechCommunity #Collaboration #Innovation #GrandRapidsTech #CityInnovations

Done with this :) This is for those who were seeking to understand and foster innovation Steven discusses how Innovation thrives in environments where diverse ideas collide and intermingle. His concept of "liquid networks" emphasizes the importance of fostering spaces where people from different backgrounds can share and connect their ideas. Rather than relying on sudden flashes of genius, the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from the slow hunches that develop over time, nurtured by rich interactions and collaborations. By embracing serendipity, allowing room for error, and exploring the adjacent possible, we create fertile ground for transformative ideas to take root. This approach not only accelerates the pace of innovation but also expands the boundaries of what we consider achievable. #InnovationBooks #InnovativeReads #TechBooks #CreativeThinking #BusinessInnovation #InnovationInsights

Geographic Funding Biases: Overcoming the Silicon Valley effect. Funding shouldn't depend on location. Believe in your potential. Here's how to overcome biases: - Build a strong network. - Showcase your expertise. - Embrace virtual opportunities. Where do you see innovation flourishing?🌍 #GeographicBias #StartupLife #Innovation

When collaborating with others to design something new, a sense of wonder can be dismissed as childish or wasteful of time. However, that sense of wonder — the playful exploration it inspires — is critical to being able to explore the option space. It allows us to move beyond surface-level solutions, to arrive at the meaningful innovation our company and its revenue so crave. #RevenueLooksGoodOnYou