Date
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016 5:00 PM
Please note this event will be at Smitty’s Little Tavern. Attendance is strictly limited to 60!
Roads, sidewalks, water, sewer and electric services are infrastructure clearly accepted as necessary for business development. Broadband, MakerSpaces and Co-working spaces are the new infrastructure necessary to attract and launch the emerging business models.ÃÂ
Add in the value of collaboration and cross pollination and you can begin to see the model of an Innovation District.
We all sense a renaissance under way in our region and tonight we will get a first look in to NOCO – Evansville’s new Innovation District.
Segment 1 – John Wechlser – Launch Fishers
I remember John and Scot Fadness( then town manager, now mayor of Fishers, IN.), when announcing Launch Fishers, equating coworking spaces to 21st century business infrastructure much as roads, sewers and electricity had been at the start of the 20th century. John will revisit this concept and include MakerSpaces, Broadband and perhaps other categories as examples of 21st century infrastructure which are foundational for the launch of innovation based startups.
Segment 2 – Josh Armstrong – SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Josh Armstrong has been central to managing the development of Evansville’s new downtown master plan. Josh will join to introduce the North of Court Innovation District (NOCO ) a major component of the master plan. Josh will discuss how an innovation district, with its innovation infrastructure and collaborative community, will attract a wide array of founders intent on launching innovation based startups as well as the other talent necessary for these founders to succeed.
Segment 3 – Josh Pack – Vectren
Our region has succeeded on winning a Regional Cities grant fro the State. One of the most exciting projects is the Urban Living Research Center. This joint venture including Vectren and Haier America will focus on the opportunities around embedded sensors and The Internet of Things. This collaboration model will lead innovation within its collaborators and serve as a launchpad for innovation startups.
Doors open at 5:00, pizza out at 5:30, presentation starts at 6:00