ecosystems and city governments lessons from boulder, co
TRANSCRIPT
Ecosystems and City Governments:Lessons from Boulder, CO
Dr. Jason KasselJuly 2016
The American Center, US EmbassyHanoi, Vietnam
Structure of Talk
1. Quick data on Boulder
2. Most common explanation for Boulder’s success
3. Rethinking the common explanation
4. Putting the Boulder story back together
5. Brad Feld’s Boulder Thesis
6. Government activity that ‘sets the table’
7. Five principles
8. Vietnam 2016 and the Year of the Startup
Why Boulder, CO?
1. Access to startup resources
2. VC investments are pouring into the city
3. Cost of living is comparatively low
4. The University of Colorado
5. A vibrant quality of life
Brad Feld and Boulder
Foundry Group
TechStars
“Startup Communities”
Brad Feld’s Boulder Thesis
1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.2. The leaders must have a long-term commitment.3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone
who wants to participate in it.4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire
entrepreneurial stack.
Boulder is Not a New Tech Startup City
University, Government and Anchor Business
University of Colorado
National Center for Atmospheric Research
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Anchor Businesses
IBM
StorageTek
Oracle
Boulder City Financial Incentive Programs
Flexible Rebate Programbuilding permit taxes and feescity sales and use taxes paid on fixed asset purchases
Microloan ProgramPartnership between the City of Boulder, Boulder Small Business
Development Center, Boulder area financial institutions, and the Colorado Enterprise Fund
Loans up to $50,000 to businesses with annual gross revenues of less than $2 million.
State Business Incentive ProgramsColorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Setting the Table
Setting the table (creating a favorable environment)
Several dimensions.
Easily move ideas to market
Tax policy
Transparent and enforceable contract law
Lerner’s Five Principles
Build an entrepreneurial environment where new ventures can thrive is a critical first step.
Let the market provide direction when distributing subsidiesRecognize the long lead times these initiatives require.Realize that programs to promote entrepreneurship need creativity and flexibilityRecognize that “agency problems” — when individuals and organizations act to
benefit themselves, rather than the broader social good — are universal, and take steps to minimize their danger.
Don’t Forget Quality of Life
Maybe the mountains did it?
Mobile society, highly motivated people move easily
Choose to live in different places for different reasons
There is no one-size-fits-all model
Maximize natural benefits
Vietnam
Can Vietnamese Government invest in technological research?
Does Vietnam have active Universities?
Are there Anchor Businesses in Vietnam?
Samsung
Intel
Vietnam National Government
HCMC City Government
Hanoi City Government
Danang City Government
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2015-2016 Report
Moving Forward
Focus on surrounding service providers
Lawyers
Accountants
Ensure momentum is provided by entrepreneurs and business commnity
Spend money on quality of life issues
Environmental protection
Food safety
Health care