Ron Conway (SV Angel) (Sep 2012)

Ron Conway (SV Angel Founder) – Fireside Chat With SV Angels’ Ron Conway and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee (Sep 2012)

Chapters

00:00:25 San Francisco's Innovation Plan: Driving Economic Growth and Community Engagement

00:08:58 San Francisco's Innovation Initiatives and Mayor Ed Lee's Role

Strengthening Tech Community Ties:
Tech companies in San Francisco are generating entry-level jobs for city residents. Mayor Ed Lee works with tech employers to identify entry-level job openings and collaborates with Tech SF to create specific training programs for these positions. This initiative aims to increase employment opportunities and foster a skilled workforce aligned with industry demands.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Engagement:
Mayor Lee serves as the chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ task force on technology and innovation. He shares San Francisco’s successful innovation strategies with other cities, promoting job creation and economic development. The task force provides a platform for mayors to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

Promoting San Francisco as the Innovation Capital:
San Francisco’s airport banner welcomes visitors with the logos of prominent tech companies, highlighting the city’s status as the innovation capital of the world. This branding reinforces San Francisco’s reputation as a hub for technology and innovation.

Elimination of Payroll Tax and Implementation of Grocery Tax:
Mayor Lee and other candidates agreed to eliminate the payroll tax, which disincentivized job creation, and introduce a grocery tax to create a fairer tax system. Proposition E, which aims to reduce the payroll tax and switch to a gross receipts tax, has garnered unanimous support from the Board of Supervisors. This move is expected to save tech companies millions of dollars, encouraging job creation and benefiting both large and small businesses.

San Francisco’s Innovation Month:
October is designated as Innovation Month in San Francisco to celebrate the city’s thriving tech industry and its positive impact on the economy. The InnovateSF.com website provides information on various activities and events during Innovation Month. The OpenCo SF initiative allows the public to visit and explore participating tech companies, offering an immersive experience of the city’s innovation ecosystem.

Interactive Startup Map:
The city is launching an interactive startup map showcasing over 800 startup companies in San Francisco. This map aims to provide information about the location, activities, and contact details of these startups, making it easier for people to connect with the city’s vibrant startup community.

00:18:21 San Francisco's Tech Industry Revolution

SF City Initiatives:
SF City, a collaborative effort between the city government, tech companies, and community organizations, aims to enhance various aspects of San Francisco’s infrastructure and services. Key pillars of SF City include job creation, public safety, transportation improvements, education support, and policy advocacy.

Jobs Initiative:
SF City’s jobs initiative focuses on creating employment opportunities for residents at all skill levels, with a focus on partnerships between tech companies and local organizations.

Public Safety:
The initiative aims to enhance public safety by providing tablets to SFPD officers, enabling real-time reporting and better allocation of resources.

Transportation:
SF City supports programs like Smart MUNI, which utilizes technology to improve bus schedules and optimize public transportation efficiency.

Education:
The initiative supports summer job placements for students, facilitates the opening of new educational facilities, and provides philanthropic contributions to educational causes.

Policy Advocacy:
SF City advocates for Proposition E, which aims to promote economic development and job creation without raising taxes. The initiative also opposes Proposition F, which seeks to modify the Hetch Hetchy water system, emphasizing the importance of preserving the city’s water resources.

Mayor Ed Lee’s Leadership:
Mayor Ed Lee’s commitment to fostering innovation and urban development is evident in his support for SF City initiatives and his collaboration with tech companies. Lee recognizes the positive impact of tech companies on the city’s economy and is dedicated to creating a favorable environment for their growth and success. The migration of tech companies to San Francisco has played a significant role in revitalizing urban areas and promoting job creation. Lee’s efforts to improve infrastructure, public safety, transportation, and education align with the city’s long-term goals for sustainable growth and prosperity.

Abstract

San Francisco: Leading the Charge in Urban Innovation and Inclusive Growth

The Mayor’s Vision: Transforming San Francisco into a Global Innovation Hub

San Francisco, under the leadership of Mayor Ed Lee, is emerging as a global epicenter for technological innovation and urban progress. This plan encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives, from appointing a Chief Innovation Officer to developing an online platform, Improvesf.org, for citizen engagement. The city’s commitment to this vision is further evidenced by the rapid growth of the tech industry, generating 32,000 jobs across 1,600 companies.

On 9/11, Mayor Lee and city officials honored the victims at a fire station training center, expressing gratitude for first responders. Recognizing the city’s potential as the innovation capital of the world, Mayor Lee appointed the nation’s first Chief Innovation Officer to advise on technology matters and facilitate connections with tech companies. Every Tuesday, Mayor Lee visits a different tech company to learn about their work and build relationships, praising their office perks and hospitality.

Fostering a Collaborative Ecosystem for Progress

The hallmark of San Francisco’s approach is the collaboration between public and private sectors. Initiatives like Tech Tuesdays and S of City (SoC) exemplify this synergy, facilitating direct engagement with technology companies and fostering an environment conducive to technological growth and workforce development. This strategy not only nurtures the tech sector but also seeks to integrate it into the broader urban fabric, addressing longstanding urban challenges.

Through Tech SF, Mayor Lee has partnered with tech companies to create over 5,000 summer jobs for kids, especially disadvantaged youth, to expose them to the tech industry and inspire careers in technology. Strengthening ties with the tech community, local companies are generating entry-level jobs for city residents, collaborating with Tech SF to design specific training programs. Additionally, Mayor Lee serves as the chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ task force on technology and innovation, sharing successful strategies with other cities and promoting job creation and economic development.

Inclusivity and Equity at the Forefront

Mayor Lee’s initiatives underscore his commitment to an inclusive and equitable tech ecosystem. This vision is operationalized through programs like the Summer Internship Program and Tech SF, which provide training and employment opportunities in the tech sector, particularly for disadvantaged youth and residents. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that the city’s technological transformation benefits all residents, bridging the digital divide.

Bridging the Gap Between Tech Industry and Job Seekers

San Francisco’s innovative approach to job creation involves a close partnership between the city and tech companies. By linking tech employers with potential employees through programs like Tech SF, the city ensures that its workforce is equipped with the skills required by the tech industry, creating a pipeline of job-ready candidates.

National Leadership in Technology and Innovation

Mayor Lee’s strategies have not only impacted San Francisco but also gained national attention. As a leader in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, he has been instrumental in disseminating these successful strategies to other cities, promoting a national discourse on urban technological transformation.

Tax Reforms for Economic Growth

Recognizing the impediments posed by the payroll tax system to job creation, Mayor Lee led the transition to a more equitable gross receipts tax system. This shift, embodied in Proposition E, aims to reduce the payroll tax burden on businesses, thereby stimulating job creation and economic growth.

Celebrating and Promoting Innovation

San Francisco’s commitment to innovation is also celebrated through events like Innovation Month and OpenCo SF. These initiatives not only highlight the city’s technological achievements but also promote public engagement with the tech industry. Additionally, tools like the interactive startup map and InnovateSF.com provide valuable resources for understanding and participating in the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

SF City: A Comprehensive Urban Development Program

SF City, a multi-faceted program, addresses various aspects of the city’s development, ranging from job creation to public safety, and education to policy advocacy. This program exemplifies the city’s holistic approach to urban development, leveraging technology and partnerships to enhance public services and community welfare.

The Future of San Francisco: A Model for Urban Innovation

Mayor Ed Lee’s vision and initiatives are transforming San Francisco into a model for urban innovation, characterized by technological advancement, economic growth, inclusivity, and collaboration. The city’s approach to leveraging technology in addressing urban challenges and improving infrastructure serves as an exemplary blueprint for cities worldwide, poised to redefine the future of urban living.

Notes by: BraveBaryon

Ron Conway (SV Angel Founder) – Fireside Chat With SV Angels’ Ron Conway and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee (Sep 2012)

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