Driving RAIN: A National Catalyst Steering Growth of Entrepreneurs and Autonomous Technology Firms Across Rural America 

SBA Grant Announcement Press Release (Phase 1)

Chairs: Erin Koshut: Executive Director, Cummings Research Park
Matt Scassero: Director of Operations and Outreach, University of Maryland - A. James Clark School of Engineering

Summary:

• Autonomous tech can serve rural communities that lack quick access to food and medicine, support transportation of elderly and disabled where public transportation is scarce, and can help agricultural automation, outdoor hospitality and rural economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality 
• Rural America is a preferred location for test beds and demonstration projects for autonomous technologies by larger corporations, given dearth of population and interference from existing infrastructure, and is a major location for defense-related autonomous tech applications 
• Rural America, however, suffers from a shortfall in local entrepreneurs, mentors, incubation space, entrepreneurship training, early-stage funding and networks to catalyze small business growth of this sector. Insufficient sources of software engineering, robotics and data analysis talent is another challenge 
• Driving RAIN through its existing network of autonomous research and development centers, university-based research parks and innovation districts, and university entrepreneurship programs coupled with new ecosystem partners, and enhanced tech commercialization tools will help catalyze growth of this sector 
• Driving RAIN partners include national organizations skilled in university-industry partnerships, technology commercialization, angel investing, pitch days, international small business incubation, outreach to rural-based HBCUs and minority serving institutions, rural community development, national ecosystem mapping and federal tools to support this sector. 
• Developing a robust ecosystem of autonomous small businesses is a critical strategy for rural communities to retain tech talent in the community 
• Analysts predict the autonomous technology market in consumer and defense technologies will grow to over $1 trillion by 2030 worldwide. Capturing just a small percentage of this market in rural US communities will have lasting economic growth and impact on communities and institutions in this under-served area of the United States

Partners