University of Colorado Denver, in partnership with Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and Innosphere Ventures, receives $2 Million Federal Grant for Smart Cities Incubator and Workforce Development in Tech
August 30th 2022, Denver, Colorado – The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) in partnership with Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and Innosphere Ventures, announced that they were awarded a $2 million dollar grant to launch a smart cities incubator and accelerator program, which will support workforce development in critical tech industries and create more than 200 jobs.
The grant is part of a larger statewide initiative being led by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, who announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is committed to investing $3.1 million in Colorado through grants to support the growth of high-tech business and cybersecurity workforce development.
“The Economic Development Administration investment will catalyze CU Denver’s innovation infrastructure and the open innovation district, increasing educational opportunities for all and fueling the diverse tech talent pipeline of the future,” said CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks, PhD.
Creating Certificate Programs for Tech Related Careers
CU Denver, in partnership with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and Innosphere Ventures, will use the grant to develop Smart Cities certificate programs for undergraduate students and mid-career professionals interested in a variety of tech-related careers. The EDA investment will also be used to install 5G equipment for a “living lab” that will support the development, testing, and deployment of smart cities prototype products and services.
The grant exemplifies CU Denver’s commitment to providing hands-on learning experiences to learners of all ages and cultivating an innovation community dedicated to collaboration, sustainability, and economic growth for the region and the state.
Supporting Access to the Tech Industry for Underrepresented Communities
“From artificial intelligence that improves traffic flow to sensors that monitor local environmental quality, smart cities are using today’s technology to build tomorrow’s infrastructure,” said Tyler Svitak, Executive Director of the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance. “Most importantly, these programs will prioritize access to communities largely underrepresented in the technology industry, including BIPOC, women and people with disabilities. With a once-in-a-generation investment in new infrastructure, there is no better time to ensure the people suffering from the inequities of today’s cities are building the cities of tomorrow.”
Under the American Rescue Plan, the EDA was allocated supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks, according to a media advisory from EDA.
“President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they seek to create new opportunities to spur business growth and create jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will provide the resources Coloradans need to spur growth in the critical high-technology and cybersecurity sectors.”
CU Denver, Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and Innosphere Ventures expect outcomes from this initiative will have a positive ripple effect across the state, enhancing quality of life, safety, and mobility while reducing the consumption of energy, water and other natural resources.
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About the University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver is the state’s premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through boundary-breaking innovation and impactful research and creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit www.ucdenver.edu.
About Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance is the first state-wide alliance of its kind in the nation, bringing together public, private, federal research, and academic sector leaders committed to advancing smarter communities. Through partnership development, education and capacity-building, the Alliance has facilitated some of the most innovative government technology projects in the state.
About Innosphere Ventures
Innosphere’s non-profit accelerator program has a strong mission to grow the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting the success of science and technology companies with an exclusive commercialization program for high-tech startups and specialized laboratory facilities. To learn more, please visit https://innosphereventures.org.
