Vermont has long been a cradle of innovation. In a period of continued global transition, we need new tools to discover and respond to opportunity. Here are three ideas.

1. Entrepreneurial Tools for a New
Rural Economy
PRESENTATION TO
PARTNERS FOR RURAL AMERICA
June 2, 2014

2. Background
Context
Tools

3. Background

4. “Between the Tigris of I-91 and the Euphrates of Rt 7”

6. Context

7. Community Colleges of Vermont
Vermont State Colleges
Highest
Number of
Colleges,
Universities
Per Capita

8. Montreal
Games & Visual Effects
New York
Film & New Media
Massachusetts
Biotech & Energy
New York
Nanotech & Optics
Surrounded
by strong
innovation
markets

10. Albany ~ 1M
Montreal ~ 2.5M
Boston ~ 4.5M
New York City ~19M
Market of
80M
within a
One Day
Drive

12. Economic Growth
Incentive
Procurement Technical
Assistance

13. Growth support
Startup finance and support
Idea generation and concept development
The ecosystem is the conversation...

14. Tools

15. Coworking
Competitions
Crowdfunding

16. Coworking is an answer to the question,
How can we help entrepreneurs and creatives
connect, grow their ventures, and foster
startup communities?
Creative density

17. Foster collaboration
Break isolation
Lower entry costs
Benefits are

18. 3-5 coming online in the next 6-12 months

19. Crowdfunding facilitates the flow of risk-
tolerant financing toward startup ideas and
creative projects.
Idea marketplaces

20. Benefits are
Lower transaction costs
Build markets
Lower individual risk
Benefits are

22. Award innovations for past achievement,
stimulate new thinking, or stimulate and test
new solutions to problems, generating new
products and companies.
Competitive stimulation

23. Expose new actors
Strengthen networks
Benefits are
Reward achievement
Activate partners

25. Thank You!
Lars Hasselblad Torres
802-917-1788
lars.torres@state.vt.us
@VermontOCE