Innovation Businesses: Digital Entrepreneurs Transforming Rural Economies

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Innovation Businesses Digital Entrepreneurs
Transforming Rural Economies
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Characteristics of Innovation Businesses

• Knowledge intensive
• Extensive application of digital technology
• Creative and flexible workforce functions
• Global business perspective
• Entrepreneurial management

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Rural StoriesExamples of Innovation Businesses

• Marlon SchaferFilling local broadband needs
  through fixed wireless
• NCTeleserveRural call center entrepreneur
• Dennis CompanyServing community hardware needs
  1905 2004

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Essential Tools of the Digital Entrepreneur
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Marlons First Wireless Solution
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The Modern Rural Hardware

• Dennis Company

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Innovation Businesses Led By New Breed of
Creative Digital Entrepreneurs

• Providing new broadband options
• Creating new demands for rural broadband

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What States Can Do

• Broadband Access-Dont forget the last 30 percent
• Facilitate exchange of ideas and knowledge
• Support preparation of workforce for innovation
  economy
• Provide flexible gap capital

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Broadband Access-Celebrate Success, But Dont
Forget Last 30 Percent
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Facilitate Exchange of Ideas and Knowledge
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Prepare Workforce for Innovation Economy
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Provide Flexible Gap Capital
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Conclusion

• Innovation businesses take many forms in rural
  places
• Digital entrepreneurs can be a catalyst for
  rural broadband deployment
• States should focus on supporting broad access to
  knowledge and ideas