Startup in Residence 2016: An experience that changed our lives
We were not yet a company. We were just four friends
During February 2016, as my future co-founders and I were contemplating startup ideas that might help solve government challenges, we learned about San Francisco’s innovative Startup in Residence Program (STIR).
The program seemed very intriguing. It specifically laid out pain points and challenge statements faced by government agencies and departments, which we considered amazing.
As outsiders looking to bring technology to government, these challenge statements actually acted as market insights. How difficult would it have been otherwise to be able to talk to someone in government and learn their problems?
The STIR challenge statements gave us the opportunity to ultimately apply to tackle an actual problem that we found interesting. We decided to apply for the challenge from San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development:
“Create a software solution that would allow OEWD staff to visualize, map, and track changes to PDR parcels in the City, for example monitoring vacancy or change of use. There is a need for a tool that can identify PDR zones with GIS, analyze such parcels, and determine the threshold for defining “underutilized space” in PDR zones in the City”
After completing the application process and submitting a form, we crossed our fingers hoping to be at least interviewed. That happened, and before we knew it, the four us from Vancouver, Canada were heading to San Francisco!
Relationship Building with our Department Partner
Once in San Francisco, our team had four months to embed ourselves with our department partner and build a prototype tool. During those four months, there were many amazing experiences along the way.
One of the first tasks we had to complete was to determine the scope of the prototype product to be built. This early step is really important and involves balancing the desires of the city agency with startup resources available and realistic time assessment.
We had a great partner, Susan Ma — Business Development Manager at OEWD. She made herself routinely available for problem discovery sessions, feedback sessions and prototype testing
Incredible Learning Sessions
The STIR program offered some of the best available thought leaders in the Government and Civic Technology space speaking about topics ranging from how to sell to government to how to think about government procurement.
Overall the sessions were integral in the formation stage of our startup and gave us confidence in our ability to learn, build and one day scale within government.
Knowledge Sharing and Procurement Innovation
The STIR program also provided the ability for startups to share their knowledge with city staff. One of our takeaways from this exchange was that there is a real desire within government to think innovatively and challenge core assumptions often found in government.
This particularly applies to the procurement process. As a result of hard work by the folks at the Office of Civic Innovation at the City of San Francisco, they were able to create a unique procurement vehicle for the STIR Startups working with SF departments.
This was critical as it allowed startups to ultimately have their software purchased by their respective city partners.
Friendships
Of course, meeting other startups participating in the program, provided an opportunity to network and build new friendships while attending baseball games and sharing beers. We’ve formed lifelong friendships with startups from across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Amazing follow on opportunities
Following the completion of STIR, we had the opportunity to represent the program and showcase our technology across the United States.
We performed demonstrations at the State Department, the White House, World Bank and the National League of Cities conference in Pittsburgh.
For a startup to have access to these networks was unprecedented. This experience opened up opportunities that are accelerating our trajectory.
The Verdict: Impact of the STIR Program
Without Startup in Residence, UrbanLogiq would not be the company it is today. As a result of this transformative experience, the company has accomplished the following in the last 10 months:
- Formed a new company with four co-founders, UrbanLogiq. We break down government and private sector data silos and finally let city planners unlock the power of data.
- Built a functional working prototype currently in use by the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development
- Utilized technology leanings via STIR to launch paid pilots in two additional cities and developed a long term product vision and roadmap
- Accepted into Silicon Valley’s 500 Startups accelerator program
The experience changed our lives. We recommend that any individual or team or company looking to break into government send in an application so they can take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Applications for the 2017 Startup in Residence program are open! Apply today to transform government through entrepreneurship: http://startupinresidence.org/apply/
