Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at JAX Chamber, discussed the evolution of Jacksonville's business community over the past decade. Robinson emphasized the importance of understanding the city's economic development through the lens of small business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He noted that in 2012, Jacksonville began to shift from being perceived as a small business community to an ecosystem that was more conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Robinson highlighted several key initiatives that have helped Jacksonville evolve over the years, including the development of One Spark, the emergence of the startup community, and the opening of the Mayo Clinic's Innovation Space. He also emphasized the importance of understanding the Gartner Hype Cycle, a tool that can help identify emerging technologies and support entrepreneurs who are working in cutting-edge fields.
We can bridge gaps by "developing and promoting Jacksonville brands, fostering open innovation, and supporting entrepreneurs who are working on emerging technologies."
According to Robinson, bridging the gaps in Jacksonville's business community will require a collective effort, and he offered several suggestions for how individuals and organizations can contribute. These included developing and promoting Jacksonville brands, fostering open innovation, and supporting entrepreneurs who are working on emerging technologies. Robinson's talk offered a compelling vision for Jacksonville's future as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, and his insights are sure to inspire others to help make that vision a reality.
JVC 2023 was so honored to have Dr. Carlton Robinson inspire and equip the audience to bridge gaps in Jacksonville.