The Creative Corridor Thesis

I had the distinct pleasure of listening to Dan Reed speak with a small group of Creative Corridor citizens about the role the University of Iowa can play in spawning entrepreneurship and innovation for our community.  The reality is that the University of Iowa is a significant competitive advantage for the Corridor but the truer reality is that I'm not convinced that we know how to fully leverage that advantage.  I hope Dr. Reed and the University continue to blaze that trail forward with the entrepreneurial community and that we create a startup culture that is the envy of the planet.  It is clearly in the realm of possibility and, with the right mindset, it could be easier to achieve than many might think.

Dr. Reed proposed what I'll refer to here as the Academia Thesis.  These are my words and not his but they address the brand, social network, and knowledge transfer he referred to as essential parts of the academic experience.

The Academia Thesis:

1. Academic institutions have a brand and aligning with that brand provides benefits.
2. Within an academic institution exists a social network. Inclusion in that social network is of paramount importance for a successful future.
3. The knowledge transfer that occurs within the framework of an academic institution is not easily replicated outside of the institution.

Brad Feld proposed the Boulder Thesis in his book, Startup Communities.  It's required reading if you want to develop a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Boulder Thesis:

1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.
2. The leaders must have a long-term commitment.
3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate in it.
4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack.

So, how do we maximize the value of having such an amazing research institute within our community? How do we create and publicize activities that include both the academic and the entrepreneurial stacks?  What if we look at the social network of the University and the Creative Corridor as one community?  If we look at the similarities between a startup community, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and an academic institution we can find common ground to develop a thesis that is true to what we aim to achieve.  

The Creative Corridor Thesis may look like this:

1. Foster creativity and entrepreneurship at an early age.
2. The brand is a sense of pride.
3. The community is inclusive and everyone that wants to be make a positive impact has the tools to do so.
4. Consistently hold events and activities that include the entire community to showcase our citizens. 
5. It is led by citizens. 

What is the Creative Corridor? 

I believe we are defining it now with the actions we take.  We should choose to make it exceptional with a vision for the success of the next generation.  A place where people are overwhelmed by a sense of pride in what we have built together.