About A2i
Adirondack Innovation Initiative (A2i) is working to cultivate a tech innovation ecosystem in the greater Adirondacks.
Innovation in the Adirondacks
A2i was started in August 2024 as the newest strategic initiative at Adirondack Community Foundation under the Economic Vitality pillar. Our primary goal is to foster economic stability that allows more people to live and thrive here full-time with a good job. We achieve this by connecting local founders, remote tech workers, and entrepreneurs to the resources they need to secure and grow well-paying, tech and tech-adjacent jobs right here in the North Country.
A2i Ecosystem Pillars
Key Areas of Focus:
A2i’s work focuses on nurturing the local innovation ecosystem, which directly supports the Foundation’s mission of connecting people, ideas, and resources.
Talent Network & Resource Hub: We connect remote workers, tech professionals, founders, and entrepreneurs to launch their ventures and strengthen our region.
- Monthly Events: We host regular in-person gatherings (Tech Talks, Founder Meetups, etc.) to facilitate networking and knowledge sharing.
- Resource Hub: A2i is a connection point for regional tech and tech adjacent resources and jobs.
Venture Support & Acceleration: We are laying the groundwork for more founders and entrepreneurs to launch successful ventures here.
- Adirondack Launchpad: An ideation pitch competition to support and accelerate raw business ideas.
- ADK Mentor Network: A program connecting mentors and mentees in a casual, supportive setting.
The Genesis of A2i: A Strategic Response
A2i emerged directly from Adirondack Community Foundation’s commitment to addressing the region’s most persistent economic and demographic challenges. Recognizing that traditional models were insufficient to stem the tide of population decline and an aging economy, the Foundation undertook a seven-month investigation into the viability of growing the region’s tech sector.
This comprehensive process included:
- Interviews with over twenty experts across academic, entrepreneurial support, and tech sectors.
- A roundtable dedicated to current tech workers in the region.
- Consultations with national organizations specializing in rural tech sector development, including the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) and Upstate Venture Connect.
The investigation concluded that the identified opportunities greatly outweigh the challenges. This confirmed research and analysis led to the strategic decision to prioritize talent-based growth and modernize the regional ecosystem. This choice resulted in the creation of A2i as the specialized vehicle under the Economic Vitality pillar, focused on actively nurturing a tech-friendly environment and attracting high-quality, sustainable job opportunities.
The Need:
A2i is committed to reversing decades of negative trends to build a more resilient region:
- Adirondack full-time residents have been on the decline.
- Our school sizes are shrinking due to out-migration of youth.
- The Adirondack region is experiencing a rapidly aging population.
- Young people are leaving the area due to lack of career opportunities.
The Opportunity:
The Adirondacks are perfectly positioned to attract the modern workforce:
- The region has a deep history of being a place of makers and innovators.
- We have a large and growing remote workforce that values our setting.
- The North Country offers unparalleled quality of life and outdoor recreation.
Together We Build
A2i Innovation Ecosystem Partners
Together, these organizations collaborate to attract, retain, and support remote workers, entrepreneurs, and tech-focused professionals, driving job growth and building a vibrant, resilient innovation economy across the greater Adirondack region.
Clarkson University Shipley Center for Innovation
The Shipley Center provides inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise needed to fully commercialize their products and launch successful new businesses in Northern New York.
Point Positive
Point Positive is dedicated to establishing entrepreneurial businesses in the Greater Adirondack Region by assembling angel investors who provide start-up and growth funding.
Center for Rural Innovation (CORI)
CORI partners with rural leaders across the country to build tech economies that support scalable entrepreneurship and lead to more tech jobs in rural America.
Upstate Venture Connect
UVC is a nonprofit that provides thought-leadership, intelligence, and networking opportunities for founders building high-growth businesses in Upstate NY.
North Country Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber serves its members’ interests with business advocacy, promotion of the region’s tourism, and by leading initiatives that foster economic development and growth across the North Country.
Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)
AEDC advances economic opportunity in North Country communities by providing support and funding for existing and new small businesses across a 14-county area.
North Country Community College
NCCC provides open access to high-quality academic programs that prepare students for transfer and career success while enriching local communities.
Old Pharmacy Building Coworking Space
This multi-use coworking space will serve as a physical hub for innovation, remote work, and entrepreneurship in the community, providing a professional and collaborative environment.
Essex County IDA
The Essex County IDA works to attract compatible and diverse sustainable economic development opportunities while focusing on retention/expansion, quality of life, and job creation within the Essex county.
Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
ANCA catalyzes sustainable economic development across the Adirondack North Country by implementing programs focused on small businesses, clean energy, and equity.
North Country Small Business Development Center
The North Country SBDC provides free and confidential business counseling and management assistance to new and existing small businesses in the region.
Franklin County IDA/Adirondack Frontier
This agency is committed to serving new and existing businesses and industries by facilitating strategic investment and job creation for the economic well-being of Franklin County.
A2i Steering Committee Members
