Little Rock is a part of a national initiative to connect local governments with startups that are working to “solve urgent public problems,” according to a press release.
The Kapor Center’s PRIME Alliance will set up cohorts in Little Rock, El Paso and Oakland. The initial cohort will take on a multiyear initiative connecting government with gap-closing startups building solutions to urgent challenges in areas such as housing, child care, health care, education, workforce development and financial stability, the release stated.
“Little Rock is proving that a capital city in the heart of the country can lead on innovation,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. “We’ve already moved to put smart, responsible technology to work for our residents, and this alliance lets us go further — opening our doors to founders whose solutions can make government faster, fairer, and more effective. This is an investment in Little Rock’s future as a place where entrepreneurs know their work can matter.”
The Oakland-based Kapor Center will work with leaders in each jurisdiction over the next few months to identify priority challenges and test new approaches that other jurisdictions can potentially learn from. The PRIME Alliance follows a Kapor Center report, Breaking Down Barriers, based on more than 60 entrepreneurs and investors who together hold over 3,000 public-sector contracts.
Photo Credit: LRCVB
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