Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the kickoff of the 2016 Innovation Partnership Program. The City will accept program applications for 30 days, beginning today and ending on August 15.
The program, in its second year, provides a front door for entrepreneurs to develop, test and demonstrate innovative solutions for the City to improve the quality and efficiency its services and operations. Through the partnership, the City agrees to test and evaluate those solutions using City infrastructure or data.
“Efficiency has been one of my Four E agenda items since 2011. The Innovation Partnership Program is a unique way to explore technology that makes our processes and services better and more efficient,” said Mayor James. “Our reputation as an innovative city is growing, and this partnership between entrepreneurs and City Hall is another way to encourage that innovation.”
The City is looking for innovative partners that support economic development and operations strategies such as improving quality and efficiency of City services and operations, creating new markets and jobs; attracting and retaining top talent; and improving economic vitality, social equity and environmental quality.
As a significant client and testbed, the City gives entrepreneurs a valuable use case for their products and services, and potentially helps them attract new investors and clients. The City benefits by having the opportunity to try the new technology for a period at no cost. After the test period, the City may decide to purchase a company’s products or services if it is a good fit and achieves their efficiency goals.
Last year, RF365, a company founded in 2012, participated in the Innovation Partnership Program. Following the test case, the City decided to purchase the company’s software, which helps simplify and streamline the City’s RFP process.
To apply for the Innovation Partnership Program, companies must complete an online application form. Participants will be judged on a variety of criteria and a select number will be invited to partner with the City for a 12-week period. For more information about the program and to submit an online application, visit: www.ippkc.org.
