CONGREGATE: A Solutions Accelerator
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is excited to share that we are one of 44 organizations awarded the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Scaling Pandemic Resilience through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge Grant announced April 6th by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
The SPRINT Grant award will support the creation of “Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator'' focused on scaling solutions that help safely re-open tourism, performing arts, travel, and hospitality (TPATH). With PNWER’s history of working with state and local governments, industry leaders, and innovators on solutions that drive the economy forward, Congregate will:
The Congregate Accelerator will find and incubate potential solutions, pilot these solutions with affected industries, and scale solutions globally to reopen and bring jobs to the U.S. economy. PNWER is excited to have partners from Amazon, Microsoft, Washington Technology Industry Association, Alaska Travel Industry Association, and Future Border Coalition join this project with expertise and resources that will support the Congregate Accelerator.
Tourism is a key economic driver for many rural and urban-adjacent communities. Since March of 2020, COVID-19 has halted tourism and affiliated services– the cumulative losses of the creative industries in the Seattle metro area alone resulted in the loss of 57,144 jobs and $596 million in sales. The goal of Congregate will be to foster connections between the tech community, public health agencies, and performing arts and tourism venues and to develop requirements for demonstration projects and implement solutions for economic development and economic recovery during and after COVID.
The SPRINT Grant award will support the creation of “Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator'' focused on scaling solutions that help safely re-open tourism, performing arts, travel, and hospitality (TPATH). With PNWER’s history of working with state and local governments, industry leaders, and innovators on solutions that drive the economy forward, Congregate will:
- Be a catalyst for innovation in biotechnology, health security, and supply-chain solutions,
- Increase regional, national, and government connectivity across innovation clusters to support entrepreneurship,
- Scale models to address the new congregation environments post-pandemic.
The Congregate Accelerator will find and incubate potential solutions, pilot these solutions with affected industries, and scale solutions globally to reopen and bring jobs to the U.S. economy. PNWER is excited to have partners from Amazon, Microsoft, Washington Technology Industry Association, Alaska Travel Industry Association, and Future Border Coalition join this project with expertise and resources that will support the Congregate Accelerator.
Tourism is a key economic driver for many rural and urban-adjacent communities. Since March of 2020, COVID-19 has halted tourism and affiliated services– the cumulative losses of the creative industries in the Seattle metro area alone resulted in the loss of 57,144 jobs and $596 million in sales. The goal of Congregate will be to foster connections between the tech community, public health agencies, and performing arts and tourism venues and to develop requirements for demonstration projects and implement solutions for economic development and economic recovery during and after COVID.
MEDIA
NEWS RELEASE-Argosy Cruises is re-inventing the waterfront tourism experience through Augmented Reality-- July 7, 2022
NEWS RELEASE- Second Round of Tech Startups join the Congregate Solution Accelerator--May 3, 2022
NEWS RELEASE- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Seeks Innovative Companies for Second Cohort of Congregate Solutions Accelerator--March 21, 2022
NEWS RELEASE- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Selects Eight Innovative Companies for First Cohort of Its Congregate Solutions Accelerator--November 8, 2021
Meet Congregate: Where Healthcare Meets Tourism, the Performing Arts, Travel, Hospitality — and Your Best Ideas--
Seattle 24x7--September 28, 2021
Accelerator program for travel, tourism startups accepting applicants--Puget Sound Business Journal--September 23, 2021
Discover How This Accelerator is Helping the PNW Economy--New Tech Northwest--September 21, 2021
Pacific Northwest Economic Region Launches Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator--Alaska Business Magazine--
September 21, 2021
We Need Private Sector Innovation to Re-Open Tourism--Medium--September 20, 2021
NEWS RELEASE-Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Launches Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator--September 20, 2021
Seattle nonprofit awarded federal grant for new accelerator aimed at tourism, arts--Puget Sound Business Journal--April 8, 2021
NEWS RELEASE- Second Round of Tech Startups join the Congregate Solution Accelerator--May 3, 2022
NEWS RELEASE- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Seeks Innovative Companies for Second Cohort of Congregate Solutions Accelerator--March 21, 2022
NEWS RELEASE- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Selects Eight Innovative Companies for First Cohort of Its Congregate Solutions Accelerator--November 8, 2021
Meet Congregate: Where Healthcare Meets Tourism, the Performing Arts, Travel, Hospitality — and Your Best Ideas--
Seattle 24x7--September 28, 2021
Accelerator program for travel, tourism startups accepting applicants--Puget Sound Business Journal--September 23, 2021
Discover How This Accelerator is Helping the PNW Economy--New Tech Northwest--September 21, 2021
Pacific Northwest Economic Region Launches Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator--Alaska Business Magazine--
September 21, 2021
We Need Private Sector Innovation to Re-Open Tourism--Medium--September 20, 2021
NEWS RELEASE-Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Launches Congregate: A Solutions Accelerator--September 20, 2021
Seattle nonprofit awarded federal grant for new accelerator aimed at tourism, arts--Puget Sound Business Journal--April 8, 2021