Innovative Communities Massachusetts

Massachusetts is not new to the idea of startups. Innovation hubs first developed in Kendall Square in Cambridge and The Seaport, in Boston and have quickly made their way to cities such as New Bedford, Quincy, Holyoke, Gloucester, and beyond.  While startups in Massachusetts are flourishing under the supportive umbrella of organizations like Mass Challenge, the access of Massachusetts' cities and towns to these companies is cumbersome and expensive for both groups.  

Enter the Innovative Communities Bill, proposed by State Senator Spilka and Representative Ferente after a competition held at the PayPal Start Tank in late 2014 where the winning proposal, the Innovative Communities Bill, was presented by Cole Boskey.  

Innovative Communities will promote and support the Massachusetts startup economy while providing technology solutions that allow municipalities to better serve their residents.  The Innovative Communities program will serve as a common place of access, education, and a central point of connection and facilitation for startups and municipalities seeking innovative technology solutions.  The focus is on early stage technology companies seeking to pilot their products and services with participating Massachusetts municipalities.


Fast Track Program

• Develop and promote a streamlined process for startups to contract with municipalities for contracts under $10,000
  
• Develop a pre-qualification process for participating startups to expedite the purchase of innovative technologies

Education

• Educate municipalities on how to purchase innovative technology from startups within the existing procurement structure
  
• Educate startups on how the municipal purchasing process works and the requirements and standards that must be fulfilled by startups in order to sell to municipalities

Marketing and Outreach

• Develop marketing and outreach campaigns to engage municipalities and startups
  
• Organize events and expositions for startups to showcase their technology and municipalities to communicate their technology needs
  
• Conduct statewide innovation competitions to solicit proposals for innovative uses of technology

Pilot Coordination, Execution, and Support

• Serve as a startup and municipality coordinator and matchmaker for technology pilot opportunities
  
• Organize pilots and establish procedures to implement pilots in innovative communities
  
• FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: in the form of grants to finance all or a portion of the costs associated with the adoption of an innovative technology

Evaluation

• Establish evaluation, audit, and compliance procedures for participating startups, including a technology readiness assessment, self-audit, and standardized due diligence investigation of participating startup business profiles

Advisory Board

• Establish an advisory board consisting of public and private sector representatives to aid the Innovative Communities Program

Special Commission

• Commission an investigation study of the existing procurement laws and barriers in to the process of adoption of innovative technologies

How Can You Help?

Email your State Senator or Representative to support Senate Bill 234, The Innovative Communities Legislation as the bill makes it's way through Committee and to a full vote of the House and Senate.  




Opening Massachusetts for business with the local startup community is a win for all parties involved.

• The 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth will benefit from working directly with some of the most innovative minds and creative early stage companies across Massachusetts.  Communities will serve as testing grounds for the local startup community, allowing them to pilot their apps with Massachusetts Municipalities looking to spur economic growth in the private sector while benefiting from the work of the startup through the pilot program.
• Startups benefit from having the opportunity to work with a local, open and accessible community as a client in early stages of their formation and the organization surrounding the program allows for coordinated feedback from all entities involved.  

Lets get this bill passed with the support of the entire Commonwealth!