Thank you for attending Census Open Innovation Summit 2024!
Get in touch with the COIL team at:Â census.openinnovationlabs@census.gov
Watch recordings of all the sessions on the U.S. Census Bureau's YouTube channel:
The U.S. Census Bureau and partners are thrilled to invite you to Census Open Innovation Summit 2024, our annual innovation conference showcasing technology built with open data, and highlighting government innovations, cross-sector collaboration, and federal-community partnership.
This year we’ve kept things free and virtual, but we’re packing the agenda full of new and exciting formats, enthralling speakers, and hands-on opportunities — you DON’T want to miss out!
Census Open Innovation Summit 2024Â will showcase 30+ new products built by hundreds of participants in The Opportunity Project (TOP) Sprints in 2023.
Through 12-week product development cycles (called "sprints"), TOP helps companies, non-profits, and universities turn federal open data into new technologies that solve real-world problems for people across the country.
TOP 2023 sprints focused on national and Puerto Rico-specific challenges, including:Â
Promoting Competition in the Credit Card Market, led by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Improving Access to Electrical Power for Climate Resilience, led by the U.S. Department of Energy
Improved Data Access for Local Policymakers, led by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
Improving Access to Capital in Indigenous Communities through Data, led by the U.S. Economic Development Administration
Tracking Federal Funding Impact in Puerto Rico, led by the Puerto Rico Office of Management and Budget & PolicyLink
Reducing the Literacy Gap in Puerto Rico Households, led by the Todos a Leer Coalition
Financing for Innovation and Technology Transfer in Puerto Rico, led by the Minority Business Development Agency, the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, & Colmena66
Summit 2024 will bring together trailblazers in the government innovation space for important discussions about technology, business investment and entrepreneurship, local government innovation, human-centered data, and more.
Special introduction from Erie Meyer, Chief Technologist and Senior Advisor to the Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Promoting Competition in the Credit Card Market: Let’s Talk Fair Comparison Tools
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Meet the tech teams and hear about the tools developed in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s TOP sprint on Promoting Competition in the Credit Card Market. Â
The Power of Timely Credit Card Data
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A fireside chat with data scientists from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on the power of producing new, relevant, and sought-after data to the public.
Special introduction from Shaun Deschene, Director of the Office of Native American Business Development, U.S. Department of Commerce
Improving Access to Capital for Indigenous Communities Through Data
Meet the tech teams and hear about the tools developed in the Economic Development Agency’s (EDA) sprint on Improving Access to Capital for Indigenous Communities Through Data.Â
Community Reactions: Reflections on Maximizing Benefit to Indigenous CommunitiesÂ
A conversation with tribal members and community experts who helped shape the EDA sprint’s products as user advocates. Join us in hearing their insights, guidance for implementation, and thoughts on how this work and these products can be best applied to bring the most benefit to Indigenous communities.
Special introduction from Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer, Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust
Supporting Business Innovation in Puerto Rico: Leveraging Existing Funding & Identifying Gaps
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Meet the tech teams and hear about the products created in the TOP sprint led by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT)/Colmena66 on Financing for Innovation and Technology Transfer in Puerto Rico.Â
Community Reactions: The Need for More Capital Infusion in PRÂ
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A thought-provoking conversation with experts on business development and innovation in Puerto Rico about both existing and missing capital and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Venture Investing Ecosystem: Industry & Government Perspectives
A spotlight on all things venture funding models, investment, risk, and more from the cross-sector venture investing ecosystem. Featuring a spotlight on COIL’s newest program StatVentures, other government venture funds, private sector investors and VCs, and other experts with advice and lessons learned for business, entrepreneurs, government leaders, and more.
Special introduction from Rohan Sandhu, Co-Founder & Associate Director of ‘Reimagining the Economy,’ Harvard Kennedy School
Human-Centered Data: Usability & Access for Local LeadersÂ
Meet the tech teams and hear about the products developed in the sprint led by the US Department of Commerce’s Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs (OUSEA) on Improving Local Policymakers Access to Data.Â
What’s Going Right & Wrong with Data Accessibility for Local Governments? A Friendly Disagreement Panel
Local governments need and thrive on timely, relevant, and representative data. This discussion will focus on why this challenge remains persistent, and why solutions have not yet been able to meet needs.
Special introduction from Juan Carlos Blanco, Director, Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto (Office of Management and Budget), Government of Puerto Rico
Improving Data Quality in Puerto Rico: A Case Study on Funding Impact & Literacy Data
Meet the tech teams and hear about the products developed in two sprints focused on Puerto Rico (PR) data quality challenges, led by the PR Office of Management and Budget, Policy Link, and Todos a Leer, followed by a live discussion on data quality with PR leaders and sprint participants.
The Importance of Tribal Data Sovereignty: A Discussion with Indigenous Communities’ Leaders
Leaders in the Tribal Data Sovereignty space acknowledge the tension between protecting Indigenous rights and interests in tribal data while supporting open data initiatives. Please join a candid discussion with Indigenous leaders in the non-profit, fintech, Tribal and Federal government sectors on this important subject.
OPTION 1:Â Engaging with TOP Through the TOPx Toolkit
Highlights and lessons learned from National League of Cities’ sprint on social infrastructure following the COVID-19 pandemic, which leveraged the TOPx toolkit in a DIY sprint model, and an interactive workshop on how others can lead their own DIY TOP sprint!
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OPTIONÂ 2: Product Strategy Masterclass: Elevating Your Product to the Next Level
TOP has always emphasized product longevity, strategy, and reach for teams in our sprints – now join us for product advising that you can use for any product or project! Expert product advisors will share pro tips and answer questions. A Q&A and discussion-driven session.
OPTION 1: Exploring the Future of TOP Sprints by and for Indigenous Peoples
Following this year’s TOP sprint on access to capital in Indigenous communities, TOP is exploring a set of several TOP sprints focused on serving and engaging Indigenous peoples in 2024. Join an interactive workshop to share feedback on 2023’s sprint, and envision what would make Indigenous-focused sprints most successful in 2024.
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OPTIONÂ 2: Commerce Data Innovation Forums Take Summit! An Interactive Session on DOC Innovation.
Please note: this session is restricted to DOC staff (employees and contractors) only. Please RSVP with your Commerce agency email address.
In 2023, Department of Commerce (DOC) innovators convened monthly at Data Innovation Forums. Now we’re bringing the same experience to Summit, along with interactive Q&A and small group discussions! Innovators from across the Department will describe their wins, challenges, processes, and pro tips for innovations focused on all aspects of the data lifecycle.
