Innovation districts constitute the ultimate mash-up of entrepreneurs and educational institutions, startups and schools, mixed-use development and medical innovations, bike-sharing and bankable investments—all connected by transit, powered by clean energy, wired for digital technology, and fueled by caffeine.
- Bruce Katz and Julie Wagner, The Rise of Innovation Districts, Brookings Institution
SizeUp.com released a startup survey in 2012 showing Fremont having the most U.S. startups per capita. In Mark Hendricks’ article about Fremont startups, he cites history, education and incentives as reasons why there are more than 21 startups for every 100,000 residents. Same year, Fremont was ranked No. 3 on the Reader’s Digest List of America’s 10 Sharpest, Smartest Cities, based on the education profile of its residents.
Where are these startups located? While local coffee shops like Suju’s, Starbucks, and Peet’s seemed busy, there are many alternative work environments for entrepreneurs. An influx of new coworking facilities in Fremont is making it easier to for startups to be lean. Fremont currently has five coworking spaces - WorkspaceFremont, Critosphere, Planet Magpie, 2nd Workspace, California Green Technology Center (CGTC) - with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, networking opportunities, warehouse space, and IT hosting.
Startups, especially ones in capital-intensive industries like clean technology, are cost-sensitive. With 40 million square feet of office/R&D/industrial space available, Fremont offers more reasonably priced space and provides incentives to targeted growth industries. Startups need venture capital connections, and Fremont has a bridge for that! In addition to housing a collection of VCs right here in Fremont, the world’s largest supply is right across the Dumbarton Bridge, which connects Fremont to Palo Alto and Menlo Park. In 2012/2013 alone, Fremont companies garnered $281M in VC investments.
Mayor Bill Harrison recently shared Fremont’s approach to strengthen its local Innovation Economy. Fremont is transforming itself from an auto-centric suburb to a strategically urban oasis. City wants to engage with all sectors — from Education and Health Care, to Bankers and Bakers. The future of our city needs to engage and resonate not only with those who are here, but those who may want to build their future dreams in Fremont.
Being a Fremont Resident and a startup founder, I feel the startup soul of the city and when I talked to Kelly Kline (Director, Economic Development, City of Fremont) about having a platform for all the startups, entrepreneurs, wanna-be entrepreneurs, VCs where we all share our experiences, learn from each other, and create the “culture of innovation," she & her team enthusiastically supported my effort of starting a Fremont chapter for Startup Grind. This new chapter would not only inspire new ways of thinking but will also help our “thinkers” to collaborate to accelerate development of new ideas.
"City of Fremont" being a hub for many industries (auto, medical devices, clean energy, manufacturing) and residents who are engineers (Google, Facebook, Tesla, Lam Research,.etc. and many more), VCs (working in Palo Alto, Mountain View & Menlo Park), employees of startup companies across the Bay, provide a unique opportunity for us to learn from seemingly unrelated disciplines.
I believe that Startup Grind chapter would help us execute on the city’s vision - of being able to think like a startup. I am looking forward to join hands with institutions, city government, and its residents to make Fremont a top ranked place for Entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses.