This year’s Colorado Innovation Network (COIN) Summit brought together 300 industry leaders from around the world to discuss innovation topics ranging from Science and music to global innovation hubs and the Internet of Things. 

We spoke to Stephanie Garnica, Senior Manager of Programs and Global Initiatives for COIN, about COIN’s 2014 summit and the future of Innovation in Colorado.

Innovator’s Peak: How did you get your start in technology and innovation? What attracted you to this industry?  

Stephanie Garnica: It was the pioneering spirit and collaborative nature of innovators.  Being surrounded by people who are so passionate about their idea or area of expertise and witnessing their risk taking nature in action is completely inspiring and fun to be around and tap into.  While I consider myself to be an implementer of great ideas rather than someone in the technology or innovation industry, I’ve enjoyed learning more about the tech and innovation scene.    

IP: You first got involved with COIN in July of 2013. What prompted you to join COIN? Were you introduced by a friend? Did their mission statement resonate with your passion for innovation in Colorado?  

SG: The focus on innovation and collaboration was very appealing to me, soI became involved in COIN in order to help share Colorado’s innovation story globally and to play a role in connecting thought leaders to one another.  I worked in the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (where COIN is housed) and had become familiar with COIN through volunteering and attending the last summit.  Their mission statement about making Colorado the most innovative state in the nation resonated with me and inspired me to play a role in helping achieve it.

IP: Tell us about your role as Manager of Programs and Global Initiatives?  

SG: When COIN first began in 2012, the efforts of the organization primarily centered on the COIN summit.  Since the network has gained traction and momentum, we have recognized the need to focus on ongoing initiatives and efforts in addition to the summit.  By having someone dedicated to the effort of aligning COIN with relevant programs and global initiatives, COIN can have a bigger impact on a national and international scale and can leverage what is going on globally around the topic of innovation.

IP:With COIN 2014 behind you, what do you perceive will be the future of COIN? What would you like to see happen?  

SG: COIN will focus on partnering and supporting local groups for various start-up week activities (Denver Startup Week, Boulder Startup Week, Fort Collins Startup Week); will actively participate in events pertaining to Colorado’s key industries; and will align efforts with other activities related to the four pillars of our innovation ecosystem – talent, capital, entrepreneurship and ideas – to continue growing our network, uncovering more innovation stories, and being a stronger resource that convenes and connects thought leaders.

IP: What, in your opinion, is the future of innovation in Colorado? What should Coloradans be aware of now? How does this fit in globally?  

SG: The future of innovation in Colorado is wide open.  Being a diverse state with 14 key industries, 30 federally funded research and development labs, and a highly educated workforce means that Colorado has the right ingredients to pave the way for the future.  Colorado’s innovation story needs to continue to be told, so that Coloradans and international folks alike are aware of the exciting things going on in the state.  To fit in globally, COIN needs to continue partnering with global innovation hubs and networks to learn from one another and share each other’s stories.

IP: How is COIN bringing together the community innovators? What is COIN hoping to achieve in the long run in terms of community growth and innovation?  

SG: COIN is innovation down to its core by being a startup within government.  Being a startup ourselves and recognizing the value in having great networks and resources to guide us have been a great impetus for us to give back by serving that same role and connecting community innovators to one another.  Our network connects people to one another through our annual summit that brings thought leaders together; via personal introductions that the COIN team gladly makes to facilitate connections; and via regular communication (website, social media and newsletters) through and about our involvement with local and international events and activities.

IP: As the world becomes more connected, with technology bridging the gap globally, how is Colorado staying ahead of the curve in technology and infrastructure? 

SG: Being home to four of the top 10 tech startup cities in the nation, Colorado is well poised to stay ahead of the technology curve through the innovative technologies being created and deployed here.  These tech startups are involved in their communities and engage with locals to not only promote their technology, but to serve as a resource or mentor to others who are starting up businesses. In terms of infrastructure, as Colorado’s light rail capacity continues to build out, highways expand and broadband connectivity becomes stronger, Colorado’s infrastructure is growing at a pace that tries to mirror or anticipate the influx of talented people to the state.

IP: In regards to the Internet of Things, in your opinion, how is Colorado integrating big data into areas like medicine, city planning, energy, and environment?  

SG: Digital health is a booming industry in Colorado and is making a difference by using the Internet of Things to better manage medicine and healthcare.  The energy industry too does a lot with monitors, sensors and energy management systems that connect into grids, and help use energy more efficiently.  There’s a lot going on currently, with more to come. 

IP: Can you give some insight into the importance of increased access to the Internet of Things? How is Colorado handling the growth of interconnectivity and how that will affect the future of the State?  

SG: As everything becomes more automated – from manufacturing, to healthcare, to transportation, to managing a household – increased access to the Internet of Things can lead towards more efficiency and could boost Colorado’s reputation as a continued leader in technology.

IP: You’ve mentioned the four pillars of the economic and innovative ecosystem – capital, ideas, talent, and entrepreneurs. Of the four, can you give us examples of individuals, companies, and/or organizations that are helping push Colorado into to spotlight of innovation and global progress?  

SG: For the ideas pillar, we have a number of brilliant minds working in the 30 federally funded R&D laboratories who are propelling ideas forward, creating new technologies and working with our talent pool to commercialize and deploy them.  When it comes to entrepreneurs, Colorado is ranked 5^th by the Kauffman Foundation’s 2013 Entrepreneurial Index.  It’s a mix of higher educational institutions, Research and Development labs, incubators, accelerators, industry associations and leaders that are helping push Colorado into the spotlight of innovation and global progress.

IP: Now that COIN has wrapped, what were some of your favorite sessions or panels that you attended? Why were they your favorite? 

SG: Helping run and coordinate the summit didn’t afford me the opportunity to attend every session, but of the ones that I did, I gleaned a lot of valuable information and left feeling inspired to be more active or learn more about some of the topics discussed.  Some of my favorites included the opening poets, the Internet of Things, Priority#1 – Talent and the Intersection of Music & Technology.  These were interesting to me due to the disruptive nature of the content that was being discussed and the interactions that went on between the panelists and the audience.

IP: How can the community get involved with further with COIN?

SG: The community can become further involved with COIN by subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter via our website; by sharing their innovation stories with us via email; through informing us of innovative initiatives and events that they are working on or involved with so that we can help spread the word and/or attend.

by Jonathan Hermes