CIT and ISC Solidify Relationship to Bring Innovation to the U.S. Government

The Innovative Solutions Consortium (ISC) has entered into agreements with the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) to collaborate together on innovative programs designed to assist the U.S. Government. This further solidifies a collaborative partnership that was forged between the ISC and CIT last year when they partnered together on the Loudoun County Public Safety and First Responders Technology Challenge in August 2014. The winners of that challenge, TRX Systems and Text2Them, have both been awarded contracts due to their exposure during the event. It was also the success of this initial technology challenge that laid the foundation to extend this County challenge to be a nationwide technology search, run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). TRX Systems has gone on to be once again down-selected as one of the most innovative technologies in this nationwide search.

The First Responders Challenge also brought forward the attention of Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors. The realization that the same Open Innovation methodologies could be applied to other county systems spurred the initiative to encourage the ISC to engage with Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) to help bring innovation to the children. It was decided, while working with LCPS, that this initiative be taken one step further by allowing middle and high school students to submit solutions alongside of business professionals.

On October 22 the LCPS Technology Challenge will take place where Gov. Terry McAuliffe of VA and Dr. David A. Bray, CIO of the FCC, will speak as keynotes to approximately 1000 audience members, and everyone will witness demonstrations from the Top 10 Industry finalists and the Top 10 Student finalists in front of a panel of judges, including David Ihrie, CIT’s Chief Technology Officer. “Developing strong partnerships such as this one between ISC and CIT are critical for engaging entrepreneurs and end users within the innovation ecosystem. CIT is honored to be a part of this initiative to help pioneer the next wave of innovation in Virginia,” says David Ihrie. Other judges on the panel will include leaders from our government, academia, and industry in the fields of science, technology, and education ranging from DHS and NASA to Microsoft and Verizon, along with venture capitalists and members of LCPS.

Ken Spedden, Founder of the ISC noted, “The ISC is proud to collaborate with the CIT on such an important technology challenge that is designed to assist both students and teachers in the areas of education and safety by creating the environment that brings together solvers of all ages to address significant challenges and deliver tangible solutions. Uniting ideas and input from students, citizens, academia institutions and industry organizations elevates the level of discovery that can be both identified and harnessed to solve hard challenges that face our communities at large.”

To learn more about the LCPS Technology Challenge Event and all of the challenge areas that will be presented, see a complete list of judges and VIPs, and to Register to attend, go to: http://www.isc-connect.org/news/2015/lcps-challenge.

If you have an innovative technology or a creative solution that can be used to help LCPS, we encourage you to apply. Applications from Industry will continue to be accepted until Aug 21, and Student Applications will be accepted until Sept 18. To see a complete list of the challenge areas and to submit your solution, go to: http://www.isc-connect.org/lcps-public/application-instructions.

For additional information and interview requests please contact Elysa Leonard with Splash Communications via email at elysa@splashmarcom.com or by phone at 571-426-5145.