North Shore 'It' Factor Grows Innovation Hub

This is the beginning of a Patch series highlighting why technology and media companies are choosing the North Shore over Boston. If you have a local, innovative business on the North Shore, and actively chose this area over Boston, let us know: email taylor.rapalyea@patch.com.

SALEM, MA – It started with lunch. Justin Miller and his wife's plans to grab a meal with their friends in Salem grew into InnoNorth: A networking platform for local entrepreneurs.

The pair lived in Boston at the time, and had braced themselves for what they thought would be an hour-long train ride to Halloween central for lunch. Salem just felt far to them.

After the half-hour train ride, and lunch at Rockafellas, they walked to the wharf and checked out some of the local shops. Suddenly, the area felt interesting, and more like a city than they had previously perceived.

Eventually they moved from Boston to Salem in what was going to be a temporary endeavor, but after a couple months of living in Witch City, they said to each other, "Why didn't we do this sooner?"

"It’s very much a city in the sense that you can leave your house and walk to a bar or restaurant and the water," said Miller, who has a background in marketing. "One of the things that surprised me when I moved up here was how much design and tech was already starting up."

Miller felt the need to put a brand around what he saw happening, and InnoNorth was born. The platform has been in the works for roughly a year, and formally launched this past June. The program's goal? To bring awareness to what the North Shore has to offer.

In addition to the intangible quality of the North Shore – the 'it' factor that keeps locals here for generations and attracts new residents daily – renting office space is cheaper than in Boston, creating less overhead for new businesses. Municipalities are generally more hospitable, and most will help new companies look for office space. The commuter rail takes professionals right into Boston when the occasion calls for it, but the brutal commute becomes a thing of the past when you can live near where you work.

"The North Shore offers such a great quality of life. I have always been struck by the amazing history here, along with the mix of larger cities and small towns means there's a lifestyle to fit everyone," said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who works with InnoNorth to help settle new software and media companies. "You can't beat living on the coast, with easy access to the harbor and beaches, along with great cultural resources. I think the mix of historic assets, great parks and schools coupled with innovative, new businesses makes the North Shore a great place to raise a family."

The culture is a selling factor for businesses. InnoNorth companies say their clients like to visit the North Shore and spend a day in the area. Employees can ride their bikes to work, and skip the city traffic.

"These guys are proving that you don’t need to be in the city to be a successful startup or innovation company anymore," said Miller of the existing businesses with InnoNorth.

InnoNorth has already worked to connect existing businesses with each other and attract new ones. The program has held mixers for technology and design companies, and works to make Salem and other North Shore towns and cities more accommodating to start an innovative company, as well as attract talent to the area.

To learn more about InnoNorth, click here, and check this page to learn more about featured businesses as they're published.

From the series: Community, Prices is Right for Salem IT Company

Photos via InnoNorth and Joey Phoenix for Creative Salem