The late Apple, Inc. Co-Founder Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things.” Alluding to the positive outcomes that occur from bringing resources and individuals together, this statement perfectly describes the purpose behind the Office of Innovation's biannual Sketch Room event series.
Previously referred to as an Innovation Rally, the most recent Sketch Room brainstorming session took place last week in Columbia, S.C. Hosted by the state’s 14-member Council for Innovation Initiatives, the interactive day provided a forum for members of South Carolina’s innovation community to connect with one another while also sharing creative solutions for the future of the industry.
In addition to the 14 council members, dozens of additional stakeholders were invited to participate in the event, including experts from both the entrepreneurial and cyber sectors. With these areas well-represented, the meeting’s main topics of discussion included ways to further grow the state’s cyber sector and how to develop a stronger bench of chief executive officers in South Carolina.
Last week’s event also featured a presentation from Jerome Smith, co-director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Venture Mentoring Service. Currently, the NEXT Innovation Center utilizes this service in partnership with the Office of Innovation's Startup Fuel Challenge grant program, which was awarded last year. Now, with enthusiasm from stakeholders in the room, the council will move forward with exploring statewide implementation.
Looking ahead, as the Office of Innovation continues to ramp up activities and carry out items discussed at last week’s meeting, be sure to stay tuned for additional engagement opportunities. After all, as Jobs’ quote says, it’s all about connections.