IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKS& COMPETITIVE MARKET INTELLIGENCEIN VIRGINIA’S REGION 2000

BACKGROUNDQ. What do we want to see in Region 2000 that would support the growth of Technology companies?

A. A place that looks a lot like the Corporate Research Center at Virginia Tech.

WHAT THAT MEANT

A community that was conducive to the start-up and growth of technology-based/wealth-creating companies.

The right environment had to exist within the community to achieve successful results.

Lack of attractive real estate.

Industry clusters not identified.

No real understanding of Intellectual Property issues or Government Grant Programs.

No easy way for new or existing firms to work with Universities on Research and Development needs.

IDENTIFIED OBSTACLES Little or no broadband access to most of the region.

Cultural void within local government - disconnect between traditional economic development and what we wanted to accomplish.

IDENTIFIED OBSTACLES

No formal network for like-minded individuals.

GOALS

Technology Park Implementation Guide.

Identify top Technology-Based Industry Clusters.

Region 2000 Broadband Internet Study.

Launch initiative to connect existing companies with Universities to address their R&D needs.

Create partnerships and events to address IP issues and understanding of Government Grant Programs.

GOALS

Create a partnership between Local Government Council and Economic Development Council to formulate a regional growth strategy with Technology-Based Economic Development at its core.

Create networking/education opportunities through the Technology Council to build community.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Advanced Manufacturing

Energy

Healthcare

Wireless Communications

Creation of Technology Incentive Zones in multiple localities and creation of region’s first Technology park.

Our leading Technology-Clusters are:

Wider broadband availability with all industrial/business parks connected through Mid-Atlantic Broadband Co-operative.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Facilitation of IP issues and Government Grant opportunities have led to new patents/contracts for firms and several successful SBIR/STTR Grant Awards.

The Center for Advanced Engineering was created to facilitate the R&D needs of local firms within our industry clusters. Today the CAER is a physical space of 30,000+ sq. ft. with a $17 million investment and is fully occupied.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We hold more than a dozen networking and educational events a year for the Technology community and partner with other organizations on many more.

Our partnership between Local Government and Economic Development has grown to include six organizations and is known as the Region 2000 Partnership.

NEXT STEPS

A Regional Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Strategy

Building the Pipeline.

Connecting the Resources.

Advocating for Entrepreneurs.

Jonathan Whitt, CEcD

434–847–1447 ext. 313jwhitt@techcouncil.uswww.TechCouncil.uswww.Region2000.org