Building a Tech Innovation Ecosystem in Newark

About this episode

The episode discusses Newark's efforts to build an inclusive tech innovation ecosystem with insights from experts at Rutgers University.

Innovation lately feels synonymous with the digital entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley or the high-tech corridor of Route 128 outside Boston. But when Thomas Edison opened his first research lab in the 1870s, it was in Newark, New Jersey. A few years later, in nearby Menlo Park, he invented the light bulb. Now, Newark is working to build a new, inclusive tech innovation ecosystem that goes beyond this legacy. On this episode, host Lisa Margonelli is joined by Fay Cobb Payton and Lyneir Richardson , who are both at Rutgers University. Payton directs the Institute for Data, Research, and Innovation Science (IDRIS) and Lyneir is the executive director of the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development . Together they have been pioneering data-led innovation and business accelerators with a diverse group of entrepreneurs. Resources Read Senator Andy Kim’s vision for New Jersey’s Einstein Corridor . Learn more about the Exit to Win accelerator by watching this video . Check out more Issues articles on regional economic development. “ Cultivating Mastery in Place ” by Maryann Feldman and Alaina Kayaani-George. Diné entrepreneurs entwine economic renewal with mutual…

People in this episode

Host: Lisa Margonelli

Guests: Fay Cobb Payton, Lyneir Richardson

Topics covered

• tech innovation
• entrepreneurship
• data-led innovation
• economic development
• Newark

Keywords

• Newark
• tech innovation
• entrepreneurship
• Rutgers University
• data-led innovation
• economic development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rutgers University, Institute for Data, Research, and Innovation Science, Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Books & works: Cultivating Mastery in Place, Revisiting the Connection Between Innovation, Education, and Regional Economic Growth

Places: Newark, New Jersey, Menlo Park

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