Next Generation Innovation

The United States has a long history as a leader of global innovation and of funding pioneering technologies that prove to be of benefit to the nation. The present moment is no exception. In fact, the next decade is likely to see increased involvement from the Federal government bringing to market the most innovative technologies under development. Author Kelly Carnes identifies the current moment as a golden age of opportunity for American innovators to partner with government, a moment in which there is bipartisan support for investing more aggressively in the development and deployment of leading-edge technology.

Next Generation Innovation collects insights from Carnes’ experience as an attorney for technology companies, her time spent working as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology in the Office of Technology Policy, and her current entrepreneurial effort, TechVision21—a company offering exclusive assistance to technology visionaries interested in doing well by doing good for the nation. TechVision21 offers its clients the opportunity to collaborate with an expert team that is deeply knowledgeable about theories and models of innovation, the history of science and technology policy, and the details of U.S. government programs and budget-making processes.

Carnes’ wide-ranging experience makes her uniquely sensitive to the challenges facing entrepreneurs taking ideas and projects from inception to commercialization. With full awareness of those challenges, Carnes argues that technology organizations of all sizes and capabilities could be doing more to leverage U.S. government policies, programs, and funding opportunities to achieve their fullest potential. She writes, “In my company’s work helping innovators establish and sustain productive relationships with the Federal government, I try never to lose sight of two important details: the government wants to support projects that serve the national good—whether promoting security, health, a clean environment, ensuring a stable and safe food supply, promoting high quality job opportunities, or addressing climate change—and many innovators are driven by a desire to contribute to the national or global good. …From the long-term partnerships between government and industry that I have both participated in and witnessed, doing good is the truest satisfaction drawn by both partners.”

Next Generation Innovation sets as its task not only encouraging more entrepreneurs to consider the value of their ideas for promoting the national good but also guiding readers through a careful consideration of every step in the partnering process—from evaluating the partnership appropriateness of specific projects to setting priorities and developing a strategy that maximizes opportunity over the long term. In so doing, Carnes highlights the value of ongoing engagement with both program managers and policy makers as critical parts of any effort to promote one’s technology and achieve business goals.

There is much to consider and much to do when it comes to engaging in fruitful long-term relationships with the Federal government. Carnes couches her down-to-earth, detailed practical advice within an overall approach that recognizes the significant amount of effort and know-how involved: “I emphasize the importance of finding early on people to integrate into your team who can take you all the way through that journey—from initial research and strategizing to plotting effective communications across a variety of audiences, to finding ways of further enhancing successful, established partnerships.”

In response to the need for strategic, concerted effort, Next Generation Innovation can be read both as a primer for companies newly considering establishing government partnerships and as a timely reference for those looking to refresh and renew their approach.