NORFOLK, VA – Help us solve city problems by applying entrepreneurial power – Norfolk seeks startups to help address civic challenges.
For the second year, Norfolk will participate in the Startup in Residence program. This nationwide effort of more than 30 government partners applies technology solutions from new businesses while minimizing risk. Businesses with successful pitches will work “in residence” with the City of Norfolk for 16 weeks to fully understand the problem and propose a solution that can lead to a contract.
Norfolk seeks partners to address three challenges:
- Community Engagement: Norfolk seeks an easy-to-use, comprehensive, data-driven solution to improve and increase community engagement for our residents.
- Virtual Front Porch: Norfolk wants to create an online, mobile “front porch” to share news and stay in touch for people affected by the St. Paul’s transformation project.
- Emergency Shelter: Provide a digital platform to improve emergency shelter pre-registration and processing.
Norfolk invites all Hampton Roads startups to review these challenges at startupinresidence.org and apply. Last year Norfolk received 22 proposals on five challenges; only one was local.
“We want to encourage innovation to solve the challenges we face as a city, and we would love to find partners in our region to work with us,” said STiR program director Pete Buryk. “That means we need to encourage innovative new businesses.”
Startups may enter the challenge from October 16th through November 20th. Entries will be reviewed and partnerships announced by the end of the year. Residencies begin January 28, 2020.