Rhode Island's Bid to Become Technology Hub

Staff reporter Carolyn Porco of the Boston Globe wrote a great article last week on Rhode Island and its emergence as a hub for technology and innovation. I have to give her props - she uncovered activities here in the state that I wasn't even aware of - which furthers our rationale that Rhode Island as a high-tech hub is more than just an aspirational goal, it's quickly becoming reality.

In the words of our Chief Catalyst Saul Kaplan:

"We’re trying to create an innovation economy. The whole state is 1,000 square miles with 1 million people in it and we all know each other - in an innovation economy, that’s a huge advantage. Connecting the dots across sectors and silos is what innovation is all about, and we have the perfect real world test bed."

Place power is everything and here at the Business Innovation Factory we're building the models that weave together different disciplines to find a new tool box for business model innovation - one that addresses the systemic nature of problems. I firmly believe that the diversity of experience encountered here will lead to the understanding of the practices involved in institutionalizing innovation - and, just as important, translate those practices into higher-wage job opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.