How to innovate small towns | Sydney Lai | TEDxRedding

Sydney Lai at TEDxRedding 2016 Her talk is titled "How to innovate small towns"
Silicon Valley is often praised for being the technology hub or the innovation center of the world. Small cities, towns, and rural America are drawn to the economic development opportunity of building startup ecosystems and thus will copy and paste solutions seen in large tech cities.
Many communities ask: “What if we could be the next Silicon Valley?” Startup expert Sydney Lai warns people against taking a Copy and Paste approach to fostering their unique innovation ecosystems. Highlighting the authentic development of the innovation ecosystem that is already underway in her rural hometown, Sydney reminds us of the value of adapting in order to innovate.
Sydney Lai is a gregarious community leader passionate about helping people pursue entrepreneurship. Born in a small town in rural California, Sydney now lives in Silicon Valley building startup ecosystems domestically and internationally, leading accelerators, venture funds, and community events.
As a technical marketer and designer with an award winning background in sales, Sydney grows products and services users want. Her work spans across industries and startups including banking, virtual reality, government, and aerospace. In 2016, Sydney Lai has been recognized as an LGBT Technology Leader by The White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy.
To get involved and find resources to innovate your town, visit www.growthbarn.com/ or reach her at @sydneylai
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@codebar4191]

3 years later and I'm visiting this old treasure. The TEDx style talk was one of my most challenging formats of public speaking that I've ever given, I should have recruited a mentor prior to writing the talk. Let's hope that my speechwriting skills have continued to improve through the years after this ;)
This talk is really a message designed as a live talk for Redding CA rather than UA-cam, but ultimately each listener can find value or simply it's not worth their time.
In summary, the talk uses case studies to illustrate being authentic to your small community rather than copying what works somewhere else. Not all communities have the same access or resources. You need to gather the community, rather than working alone. You need to share information and ideas, rather than throw up NDAs. You honestly just got to get started and do it, as oftentimes inaction is the biggest blocker.
Nonetheless please do continue finding great resources in supporting your local communities! I'm glad y'all are searchin'.

[@tomatte99]

Thanks

[@drellz9361]

You did a great job

[@socialsupportrevolution]

You did well.

[@theresa9055]

Yes! I am searching and am blessed to have stumbled across this. Thanks and keep winning sis!

[@ronzyl1]

You're clearly passionate, and it shines through in your energy. Great presentation.

[@scotttripamer4751]

great talk

[@jzk2020]

What exactly did you like? What was so enlightening about her great talk?

[@paulscrevane]

You're the best Syd

[@cait7885]

Love this!

[@RyanR-lc8xo]

c'est cool

[@saintedallas]

I'm back ... because tis is everything 🙂

[@potawatomimko6108]

More. We need this to be popular

[@mydogsareneat]

5 minutes in
: this womans a damn genius.

[@vishwachinnaiah9131]

Any business plan to start in small town in India with investment of below 10lakh

[@blacksheepbear6382]

Was this 4 years ago? So…. Like, build community like humans have always done until around the ‘50-60’s when Silicon Valley started??? That’s the interesting part.

[@jzk2020]

She talked for 15 min. and said *NOTHING.*

[@mezzoedbey3802]

I almost agree with you unfortunately. Though i wouldn't say absolutely nothing especially in the end; she did talk about how gathering small businesses in a small community would make a great difference.

[@codebar4191]

bro i gotchu. In summary, the talk uses case studies to illustrate being authentic to your community rather than copying what works somewhere else. You need to gather the community, rather than working alone. You need to share information and ideas. You honestly just got to get started and do it, as oftentimes that's the biggest blocker.

[@Korina42]

@@codebar4191 For example, across the Trinity Alps in Arcata, we have more artists per square foot than anywhere else, and quite a few small businesses; fewer than in the Before Times, but still a fair number. We're also very isolated, both physically and in our limited broadband. All the small towns in the area want to draw bigger business from outside, but I always thought we'd be better served by becoming as self-sufficient as we can. Hard to do in a county as poor as Humboldt, but not impossible.
Aaand that's all I've got. Thanks for the talk. :-)

[@louisinese]

@@Korina42 Is this in CA

[@Joe-jc5ol]

My mother is very rarely right lol

[@krystylsummers8749]

I got nothing. I think it's as needed.

[@chameleoncool]

I’m trying to create a government in Minecraft. I- I’m Learning to much

[@krystylsummers8749]

Populus 50 or more gets a school

[@Gilou]

TaiWanese + CaliFornian = fascinating breed

[@marieroche1404]

She dresses like her mother.

[@krystylsummers8749]

No counties

[@marieroche1404]

Boring.