Civic Innovation Lab

Civic Innovation Lab

Jennifer Thomas Founding Director,

Civic Innovation Lab

Andradia

Scovil Program Coordinator,

Civic Innovation Lab

The Civic Innovation Lab

Jennifer Thomas, DirectorAndradia Scovil, Program Coordinator

www.civicinnovationlab.org

Putting the soul in economic developmentPutting the soul in economic development

Old Industry

Innovative Industry

Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park

Over 100,000 sq. ft. of riding heaven

Innovative Industry

Alternative energy solutions for small business

Traditional Entrepreneur

Global business

Industry driven

Community Entrepreneurs

Sam Merrett, Full Circle Fuels

Jennifer Coleman, CityProwl

Community Entrepreneurs

Terry Travis Cleveland365.com

Brother Charles McElroy, College

Interns for Energy Efficiency

Barbara Oney & TL Champion Got*City GAME!

Old Investors

v

$2 billion

in sales?

New Investors

Thomas Mulready

Phil Alexander Kathy Barrie

Collette Appolito

Jon Adams

Alton TinkerEarl Pike

Tim Mueller

The Vision

to implement community innovation o with a small amount of seed fundingo large dose of civic engagement

How We Implement

The Lab fuels innovation by providing

funding of up to $30,000 mentoring by seasoned entrepreneurs

for civic, social and business ideas that can grow the Greater Cleveland economy.

Civic Innovation Lab Results 2003 - 2009

Initiatives funded: 52Grants disbursed: $1.5MMMentor Volunteer hours: 2,500+

Jobs created: 128Economic Impact: $9.4MM

Follow on investments: $6.2 MM

See for yourself

http://www.fromthebluebag.com

http://www.raysmtb.com

http://www.coolcleveland.com

http://www.handsonneo.org

Lab Services

o Provide workshops to focus new ideas into business models

o Coach top candidates on presentation skills

o Provide funding to launch early stage ideas

o Mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs “champions” with resident expertise

Why Does it Matter?

o Support innovation and company creation at the earliest stages

o Develop globally competitive entrepreneurs

o Encourage business leaders to take responsibility for the city’s future

o Apply innovation at the community level

Why Does it Matter? Business Education Environment

Community Impact

Full Circle Fuels - Ohio’s first full service alternative fuels station. Sam Merrett patented a biodiesel blending pump and services 100+ customers weekly.

Ray’s MTB – The nation’s only indoor mountain bike park. Rider ship increased 40% in in one year from 7,000 to 10,000. Ray’s fills over 800 hotel nights/ season.

E Prep School - sixth grade literacy score go from 7% to 72% in just six months.

MedCityNews – online news service covering the business of healthcare has over 70,000 unique visitors per month, growing at 40% rate per month.

Success and Failure

Success 24%Thriving organizations where constituents see value and pay for service

> 2 yrs.

Promising 43%Newer initiatives that have community support but not yet thriving

< 3 yrs.

Struggling 10%Initiatives have lost community support but champion still trying 2 - 4 yrs.

Failure 23% No longer active 3 - 4 yrs.

Future of the Lab

Share the Model

A flexible, scalable, low cost program that encourages and supports innovation by providing start-up funding and momentum through active civic engagement by local leaders.

How to Get Started

Define the Focus for Innovation

Economic DevelopmentDowntown vibrancyAttracting and retaining talentSupporting entrepreneurshipBuilding new industries

Demand for innovation

Community entrepreneurs - no difference between work and play

Nurture with mentorship:ideas, innovation, failure lead to

ideas, innovation, success

Understand continuum of entrepreneurship: need both global business entrepreneurs AND community entrepreneurs

Cost / Benefit

6 Year investment of $2.75 million$9.4 million economic impact = 3.5x return

6 year grant total of $1.5 million$9.4 million economic impact = 5.6x return

Benefit

Community impact - entrepreneurs who think globally, act locally

New leadership engagement –mentors who use expertise

Culture of innovation

Attract talent

Impact – low cost, high value

Can you do this in your community?

o Find cool happenings every weeko Volunteer with your friends when it’s conveniento Mountain bike indoorso Help a stay-at-home mom get back to worko Get free entrepreneur biz assistance o Upcycle unwanted productso Buy a gift that diverts glass landfillo Set up alternative energy resource at your bizo Help an musician create a personal portfolioo Buy fresh food from a local farm

It’s possible!

o coolcleveland.como handsonneo.orgo raysmtb.como beyondmotherhood.como beedance.como fromthebluebag.como expediterenewableenergy.como citizengroove.como freshforkmarket.com

…and many more!

Thank you

Questions?

Civic Innovation Lab216-925-4826

JThomas@civicinnovationlab.orgAScovil@civicinnovationlab.org

Please complete the survey being distributed by the volunteers. Survey may be returned to the

volunteers or at the Registration Desk in Ballroom A.

Thank you to our sponsors