Here they come. The California Technology Council, like more than 40 sister organizations around the continent, are built for the purpose of serving the innovation community very broadly. One of the common elements to virtually every tech council in the US is the provision of member services, particularly savings on products and access to specials crafted exclusively for member companies. This is made possible by unique dialogues with dozens of vendors. Watch this space for member benefit updates in the days ahead.
New Content Coming
Starting with our new Tribune Daily, the Tech Council will be rolling out several new forms of content in the year ahead. Look for changes on our website and in the ways that we present news and research. Coming this summer, we’ll publish original research with a range of complementary content. Thanks to our Economic Advisory Board and a wide variety of innovators and entrepreneurs, we’re excited about the research and ideas we have coming your way.
Change.org Raises Funds, Redefines Social Ventures
Grassroots movement maker Change.org raised $25 million in December from the likes of Bill Gates, the Omidyar Network and Richard Branson. The company provides a service that allows a movement to build its own momentum based on crowd-sourced participation. Does this fundraise reflect the ultimate tech for good story? The CTC will have more on this in the near future.
Leading California Company Receives FAA Commercial Drone Exemption
Top company Trimble Navigation of Sunnyvale (NASDAQ: TRMB) joined the ranks of companies receiving FAA exemptions to use drones for commercial purposes this month. The exemption, called a Section 333 Exemption, brings Trimble and a number of engineering and infrastructure firms into a class that previously included a cohort of film production companies. Seven film companies have been granted FAA exemptions in 2014, beginning with six in September, thanks to efforts by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Many other leading multinational companies, ranging from Amazon to Domino's Pizza, have made strides in drone applications.
Former California Public Figure Joins CTC as Fellow
The CTC is pleased to add former Californian Brian McGowan to the list of distinguished Fellows who provide advice and a sounding board to the CTC on all matters in policy and strategy. McGowan is a national economic development and non-profit leader currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, one of the largest regional chambers of commerce in the country. Brian served in the Obama Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and previously served for many years in public roles in California's economic development community.
Dutch Diplomat Joins Ranks of CTC Fellows
Dutch innovation leader Bart Sattler joins the California Technology Council as a Fellow. Bart currently serves as the coordinator for the network of innovation attaches throughout the global network of the Netherlands Office of Science and Technology (NOST). Bart is an old friend to US technology councils and previously served in the Silicon Valley and Washington, DC posts of NOST.
Real Estate Leader Joins Economic Advisory Board
Top Bay Area real estate figure Edward Del Beccaro joins the California Technology Council's Economic Advisory Board. Ed is Managing Director of the Transwestern East Bay office. He brings perspectives in commercial real estate, innovation, economic development and growth. Ed is a leader in the community in many respects, including his on-going service to the boards of the East Bay EDA and East Bay Leadership Council. Ed will also play a role in the CTC Clean Acres Advisory Board.
Manex CEO Joins Economic Advisory Board
The California Technology Council is pleased to welcome Gene Russell, CEO of Manex Consulting, to its Economic Advisory Board. Gene leads the Manex team tasked with supporting manufacturers of all kinds with innovating, improving process, investing in people and much more. Manex is the NIST-designated manufacturing extension partnership for Northern California.
Prospects for Tax Reform in 2015
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) referred to the US tax code as a "rotting economic carcass" this morning at a Digital Economy Roundtable in Palo Alto. He wasn't alone in pointing out the obsolescence of important pieces of US code.
Reflections on CTC's 2014 Ed Tech Summit
Summit participant Chad Swaim gives his perspective from Summit held in September
I am currently the Director of Technology for the Wheatland School District. I recently attended the 2014 Education Technology Summit in Santa Clara put on by the California Technology Council. I was asked to write a short guest piece on the value I found in the meeting and with Education Technology startup companies and entrepreneurs. I believe it was time well spent. There were many great discussions and collaborations that came from this meeting. It is always good to know what companies are thinking when it comes to developing technology for education. It seems the struggles are real for both sides of the field.
Being an Ambassador for CTC
Guest columnist Adam Rak shares his views on getting involved. Adam Rak is Executive Vice President of Bond and Associates, a strategic government affairs firm headquartered in Washington, DC.
Having worked with technology companies either directly or through industry associations for the better part of 15 years, I was surprised that we did not have a state-wide tech association in California to support issues, help with business development and promote growth of the industry.
Clean Acres Tours Neustar
Perspectives from SOCAP14
The Tech Council was represented this week at SOCAP 2014, a conference focused on social impact investing. This year's conference included very strong threads of technology propelling social ventures. We were pleased to develop ties to entrepreneurs at companies like Ruly and StartGrid, and to renew friendships and partnerships with the likes of Santa Clara University and Indiegogo.
