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I N N O VAT I O N INSIGHTS Canadian Digital Media Network Tour: Silicon Valley

*“Silicon Valley” or “The Valley” is the geographical area of the Southern San Francisco Bay area and is regarded as the epicenter of the tech world.

In order to be the best, one must learn from the best. JEFF CHESEBROUGH A N D ST E V E B O E S E

A

up with Innovate Niagara success story and

community should venture out to benchmark

founder of Console, Al Burgio.

other ecosystems, then adapt those learn-

One of the biggest takeaways was the

ings and carve out their own path.

s we continue to help

culture, more specifically, the "pay-it-for-

As we continue to build an innovation

innovative,

high-po-

ward" culture, that exists there. One might

economy in Niagara, we must continue to

high-growth

think that in such a competitive place there

learn from others, collaborate, support each

entrepreneurs at Innovate Niag-

would be an unwillingness to share. One

other and push forward together. We are or-

ara, we know the importance of understanding your market

might also think that in a place with so

ganically moving in the right direction. We

and validating your product. We recently did just that, as we

many wealthy, busy individuals that they

see this everyday at Innovate Niagara―we

joined nine other innovation/incubation leaders from across

would have very little interest in spending

have incredible, world-class talent here. Ni-

Canada as part of the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN)

time mentoring others who are just starting

agara will never be Silicon Valley. And we

Innovation Tour of Silicon Valley so that we could learn from

out. In both instances, one would be wrong;

shouldn’t because we can be better.

world leaders to better understand innovation ecosystems.

Silicon Valley continues to be a world leader

tential,

Our tour included visits to leading startup incubators/

because they understand the importance

Jeff Chesebrough is the CEO of Innovate Niagara.

accelerators, global leading innovation centres, as well as,

of collaboration. They understand that by

For more information, please call 905.685.3460 or

group outings with investors and startup founders. Our group

working together and supporting one an-

visit www.innovateniagara.com.

met with senior staff to discuss and share best practices,

other they can achieve far more than by

programming, community/cluster building, event ideas, busi-

doing it alone.

ness/client services and establish connections for Canadian companies wishing to connect into Silicon Valley.

Steve Boese is the chief digital officer of the

As Kevin Spacey famously said, “If you

Generator at one. For more information,

are lucky enough to do well, it’s your respon-

please call 905.685.3460 x208, email

Tour stops included Runway, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Cen-

sibility to send the elevator back down.” This

[email protected] or visit

ter, Galvanize, Orange Silicon Valley, Launch Incubator, We-

same modus operandi is evident in Silicon

www.thegeneratoratone.com.

Work and Google & 500 Startups. The CDMN also organized

Valley.

an investor dinner and a dinner with founders of Canadian

We learned a lot on our trip and are actively

companies that now call Silicon Valley home. We also met

putting what we learned into practice. Every

@innovateniagara

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