The document discusses efforts to build a digital technology cluster in the Shoals region through collaboration between educational institutions, government, and economic development organizations. A small computer systems design sector has nearly doubled in size over five years, and has potential for further growth. The University of North Alabama plans to play a key role through initiatives like their Digital Technology Hub and Entrepreneurial Center to support startups and provide training. Transformational developments around IT consulting, mobile technologies, and offshoring could generate opportunities for new businesses. Recent events have engaged students and locals to generate ideas and startups in the region's developing innovation ecosystem.

1. Building a Digital Technology
Cluster in the Shoals
UNA College of Business 1

2. Recent study completed for NACOLG about areas of growth for
the region

3. Business Support Services and
Computer Systems Design
• A very small sector ( <200 jobs) in the Shoals area economy has
almost doubled in size locally over the past five years. The 10-year
national growth outlook is 30% or 603,407 more jobs.
• The development of this industry in the Shoals area will require a
coordinated effort among educational institutions, government,
and economic development organizations.
• Existing industry will most likely drive the growth.
• This sector could be a primary focus of the Shoals Entrepreneurial
Center, with UNA and the Center collaborating to provide support,
training and guidance to recent college graduates and others
looking to establish a business in the Shoals area.
• The Digital Technology Hub envisioned by the University of North
Alabama could play a key role in developing a sustainable Computer
Systems Design and related Services sector.

4. Five transformational developments:
1) Manufacturers will increasingly rely on IT consultants to
design economical computer systems related to just-in-time
supply management
2) Increasing usage of smart-phone devices will cause additional
growth for the IT consulting industry
3) Traditional professional services will evolve in order to adapt
to new technologies and a transforming customer market
4) New and emerging methods of retail electronic payment,
including mobile technologies
5) Return to the US of some foreign outsources services due to
diminished efficiencies and customer dissatisfaction
These forces create a generous number of opportunities for new
start-ups, expansions and relocations.

5. Establishing a core team
UNA College of Business 5

6. Oct 20-21, 2014
200+ involved over 2 day event
University of North Alabama
Florence, AL
www.una.edu/strategicdoing
Workshop attended by
over 50 people
Focused on Digital
Technology Hub and a
team from Corinth, MS

7. Brainpower
•Big Idea Competition
• March 10
•Tech Meetup
• 2nd Thursday monthly
Innovation
•Student Coding
• 2016 recruiting
•Biz Buzz
•1st Wed monthly
Quality
Connected
Place
•Broadband
Capability
• 3rd party broadband
franchise agreements
with 4 Mayors
New
Narratives
•Visually Express the
Shoals
• Shoalsshift.com
launched
Building a
Digital
Technology
Cluster
Pathfinder Project Status- February 2016
Capacity for the
future comes
from actions we
take today!

8. ShoalsShift.com- the new narrative

9. UNA College of Business 9
2014- 32 pitches- 1 winner!
2015- 30 pitches – 3 winners
November 17, 2016

10. • Feb 27- Mar 1, 2015
• 35 students
• 25 mentors
• 5 panelists
• over 3 days formed and advised
• 6 startups
• April 8-10, 2016

11. Shoals Big Idea – Building the Digital Community
2015
39 Individuals
43 Idea
3 winners
March 10, 2016

12. Innovation Pathfinder
Project
• Over 150 students served
• Black Rocket served 20,000
students last year
• Scholarships available
• Taught by UNA faculty
• Building the digital economy
pipeline
• Offered 2016 UNA Summer
Camps

13. Held Monthly on
the 2nd Thursday
Over 50
participants each
session

14. Meets every First Wednesday
at 9:00
A fast hour of learning and
exchanging ideas
Over 25 participants each
week

15. Opened Oct 17, 2015
For all UNA students
A place and support to start your
business!
28 Students accepted

16. Mentor training Jan 18,-19, 2016
First cohort of startups/ entrepreneurs early April.

18. Mane Capital Fund LLC
• Creating local Angel Investment Fund
• Aligning with national organization
• Funded at $1M
• Focus is North Alabama companies
• Initial work funded by ARC
• Launched in Sept 2015
• Accepting submission for review-
• https://angelcapitalgroup.venture360.co/apply

19. Expanding the
capability of the
region with
training and
certification
13 people trained
and in process of
certification
10 enrolled for Feb
24-26 training

20. UNA MBA Concentration
Innovative Economic Development
Offered Fall 2016 Online MBA
Partnered with University of Purdue:
• 21st Century Economic Development (1 credit)
• Regional Innovation Ecosystems (3 credits)
• Collaborative Leadership (3 credits)
• Economic Development & Innovation Strategy (3
credits)
• Economic Development & Innovation Policy (3 credits)
• Capstone Project (2 credits)
Targeting state, regional and local
economic development organizations

21. Institute for
Innovation and
Entrepreneurship
Economic
Development
Consulting Services
Incubator
Strategic Doing
Jan 2016 Approved by UNA

22. Held Monthly on the 2nd Thursday
Over 50 participants each session

23. Engagement Elements in Place
• We are growing:
– Relationships / Networks
– Academic curriculum
– Media coverage
– Community awareness
• Results are showing
– Participation growing
– Startups announced
– Investor funding

24. Brainpower Innovation
Quality Connected Place New Narratives
Shoals Shift
Collaborations
Black Rocket Coding Camp
Innovation Engineering Minor
Hour of Code
HCI/UX Minor
Strategic
Doing Course
MBA Innovative Economic Development
Pathways to Innovation Team
Innovation Fellows
Tech Meetup
Biz Buzz Meetup
Mane Capital Fund
Innovation speaker series
Shoals Shift website
The Generator
FLPL Digital Media Space
Wi-Fi Expanded Hangouts
Propel
Shoals Idea Audition
Shoals Big Idea
Co-Starters
3 Day Startup
Institute for Innovations and
Economic Development
E-Games
Innovation grants

25. Building a Digital Technology
Cluster in the Shoals
UNA College of Business 26
Learn more at www.una.edu/strategicdoing