The City of Fremont announced today its participation in the 2019 Startup in Residence (STIR), a program that connects government agencies with startups to co-create new technology solutions that address civic challenges.
“The City of Fremont is proud to be a part of the upcoming STIR program as we proactively address real-time challenges such as traffic congestion and communication using the local innovative minds of Silicon Valley, rich resources of STIR, and the initiative of our own Public Works Department,” Economic Development Director Christina Briggs said. “STIR reinforces Fremont’s commitment to being a smart city, furthers the City’s internal culture of entrepreneurship, and highlights its zeal to support the local startup community.”
Startup in Residence is a 16-week program that connects startups and government as they work together to co-develop a solution that creates real and sustainable impact. The program began as a pilot in 2014 in San Francisco, and has since expanded across North America to cities, counties, states, and regional transit authorities. Fremont will be joining a national network of government partners working together to modernize government through Startup in Residence.
“The Startup in Residence program is a model for civic innovation and national collaboration,” said Jay Nath, former Chief Innovation Officer for San Francisco and Executive Director for City Innovate. “This program provides a unique opportunity for government agencies and startups to think creatively about how we can all work together to modernize government to benefit residents.”
Since 2014, 44 startups from around the world have joined government departments in San Francisco, Oakland, Washington, D.C., and Houston. The startups shared technological solutions that were developed to address civic challenges and improve the quality of life for residents.
Projects have included working on issues such as streamlining the foster care application process, smart sensors on trash cans, homeless health services, volunteer engagement tools, and developing tools to assess the damage in the aftermath of an emergency like an earthquake or flooding. Local startups can register on StartupinResidence.org to be notified of the estimated 60-80 challenges that will be posted on September 25.
The program offers education for government and startup staff in areas that include partnership, procurement, open data, civic technology trends, the technology marketplace, and new methods of product development and procurement.
