Upstream presents Austin Innovation District strategy to city leaders

Upstream’s Tim Sweeney, Paul Kramer and Melissa Young, in partnership with Austin’s Chief Innovation Officer, Kerry O’Connor, presented a cohesive strategy to drive the formation of a globally recognized Innovation District in Austin. The convening in the Mayor’s office was facilitated by Texas State Senator, Kirk Watson and Austin Mayor, Steve Adler, and attended by over 50 executive leaders from the business, start-up, venture capital, and education communities.

The strategy included overall positioning of Austin’s assets in comparison to other innovation districts, a differentiated vision for the district, and a roadmap of initiatives and associated sponsors to generate value and ultimately attract the best innovators from around the world. To put the strategy into action, the group decided to create Capital City Innovation. CCI would act as an integrating mechanism for public/private sector collaboration and as a momentum generator to push initiatives and programming forward.