The Tallahassee Innovation Partnership (TIP)

Problem

New entrepreneurs and start-ups are an important component to growing new sectors of the economy, especially in a City like Tallahassee, where the largest employers and purchasing powers are government related (state, local, universities, etc.). Due to a lack of industry and economic dynamism, the barriers to financial capital that face any new business are more pronounced, causing an even more challenging environment for these firms to be successful. Additionally, due to certain state and local procurement policies, new businesses who often operate with lean staff capacity and knowledge find it very challenging to compete and win contracts from large public institutions.

Solution

Mayor Andrew Gillum launched the Tallahassee Innovation Partnership (TIP), providing a front-door to City Hall and other local community institutions for start-ups to beta-test and sell their products and services. The TIP also encourages the use of open public data to commercialize new technologies and improve public services. By connecting new entrepreneurs to these resources as they begin to launch their companies, Mayor Gillum is helping expand economic opportunity in his city.