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Date Received:9/4/2024 10:11:39 AM
To:Chestnut, Cynthia M
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From:CivStart: Sparking innovation in government
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Tech for Gov: AI in Gov Cohort; State of GovTech next week; and more
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SUBSCRIBE \ VIEW IN BROWSER \ September 4, 2024

TECH FOR GOV

Govtech insights powered by CivStart

CivStart welcomes four new mentors! Learn more about Cameron Demetre and
Mark Stodder. Join the mentor network here.

2024 AI-in-Gov Accelerator Cohort


An incredible group of startup founders join our largest cohort ever! Read the full press release here.

ICYMI: AI, Collaboration, and Innovation in Government: A Bold Year for Advancing CivStart’s Mission

A mid-year update from Niles Friedman, Chair of the Board at CivStart:


“CivStart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sparking innovation and collaboration within local government, recently released its 2023 Impact Report: “Celebrating Five Years of Government Innovation.” This report highlights CivStart’s role across the entire ecosystem of local government innovation and outlines a bold strategic vision for the future.


As CivStart crosses the halfway point for 2024, they are delivering on that strategy and vision. The focus has been on foundational programs while continuing to establish new and innovative partnerships and programs for local government, startups, and the broader GovTech community.”


Read the full article here.

Two Exciting New Partnerships

CivStart is an ecosystem builder. We pride ourselves on bringing people and resources together in the right mix and at the right time. Both of these partnerships highlight that important work.


CivStart and Advantage Capital Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Innovation in GovTech

This collaboration aims to enhance funding opportunities and support for high-impact startups dedicated to revolutionizing government operations through technology.


CivStart and the GovAI Coalition Partner to Support Reliable, Trustworthy AI Solutions for Local Government (more soon!)

“The partnership between CivStart and the GovAI Coalition marks a cornerstone in our shared journey towards a future where AI serves the public good. By injecting GovAI Coalition deliverables into CivStart’s incubation practicum, togetherwe can ensure that startups align with the highest governance standards and ethical considerations. We feel this will foster accountable, transparent, and equitable governance that benefits all citizens. This collaboration reflects our deep belief in the transformative potential of AI when guided by principles of openness, inclusivity, and vendor transparency.”

- Anthony Fisher, GovAI Coalition board member

GovAI Coalition’s participation in marketing activities, events, or promotions does not imply an endorsement of any individual startups or their specific products or services.

California Secretary of State Awards Campaign Finance System Contract to CivStart Accelerator Participant, Maplight

CivStart Accelerator participant, MapLight, is providing their proven MapLight Disclosure System software as the center of a customized disclosure solution for California.


RiseKit Awarded Gates Foundation Grant to help boost economic mobility for underserved communities

CivStart Accelerator alum, RiseKit, has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance economic mobility and create opportunities for underserved populations! This funding will help RiseKit expand its reach and impact, connecting more talented individuals with meaningful careers.


"Kelly Richmond Pope, Director of the acclaimed government fraud documentary "All the Queen's Horses", discusses how to prevent fraud in government with appropriate segregation of duties."


Calling All Economic Developers: Apply to be in HUUB's New Pilot Program!

HUUB, recently featured in the Phoenix Business Journal, is offering an exclusive opportunity for 10 select economic developers and entrepreneur support organizations to join our pilot program and provide valuable feedback on their upcoming V2 launch.


Trustible, an AI governance and compliance software platform, recently launched their AI literacy and compliance training module (compatible with existing learning management systems) to help organizations educate their staff about key risks related to AI use.


Rep'd, a video messaging and engagement platform, has expanded its business to the South East, including in Leeds, AL.


Legislaide Receives the Archie $10K AI Challenge Award

Albert Santalo, Founder of 8base presented the Archie $10K AI Challenge award to Legislaide at eMerge Americas earlier this year.


CivStart Accelerator Alum, Collective Liberty, Receives Federal Impact Award!

Collective Liberty has received the prestigious federal Impact Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their groundbreaking Human Trafficking Fusion Center™! ??


JFF’s 2024 Horizons Pitch Competition Finalist and CivStart Accelerator Alum, UpSquad, One of Six Startups to Pitch in DC


Polimorphic Recognized by Bain Capital Ventures and Headline as One of Two Emerging Vertical SaaS Startups serving Government in the Vertical SaaS 50!

“I do kind of like to see the full A to Z. What is your theory of change? How do you know that this has been validated? Where has this model or similar business has been successful? What empirical evidence do you have. . . when I'm trying to explain to the mayor why he should or should not take a meeting, making it very clear when you've had efficiencies and the data to back that up is super helpful”

- Stephen Caines, Chief Innovation Officer & Budget Director, City of San Jose, CA

In a recent GovTalk session hosted by CivStart, Stephen Caines, Chief Innovation Officer and Budget Director at the City of San Jose, CA, shared insights on achieving organizational goals through technology. Stephen and participating startups explored the role of civic technology leaders in empowering communities through innovative digital services, and the challenges faced by dispatch centers and potential solutions to improve public safety operations.


San Jose is at the center of the GovAI Coalition, and understanding, regulating, and taking advantage of the opportunities of AI technologies. The City even has an incentive program to attract companies for responsible AI technology. Caines emphasized San Jose’s focus on public safety, homelessness prevention, the challenges of government procurement and limited discretionary spending, and local innovations in automating speed enforcement and next-gen 911 technology.


Key Takeaways:

  • The GovAI Coalition, now wiht over 300 public agencies involved, is set to a central point for AI-based startups to enter the market and seek validation.

  • Aligning solutions with mission and scope of each government agency is key.

  • Understanding the cadence of decisions in a city helps tailor startup approaches.

  • Government officials’ fears around automation can be partially mitigated by framing solutions as supplementary, not replacing/removing other functions.

  • Credibility, expertise, and data-driven evidence are critical for a startup trying to get a city’s attention.

This and other live webinars are available to companies in the CivStart Accelerator and those in the CivStart Bootcamp.

AI continues to excite many — but not all — state IT leaders, report shows | StateScoop

New survey results from the National Association of State Technology Directors provides a snapshot of state government's mixed enthusiasm for AI.

All upcoming events can easily be found and registered for on the CivStart Gov Innovation Platform.