TwoPointOakland
In 2008, InOak was launched as a public-private partnership to create collaborative events for tech and innovation entrepreneurs and businesses; and to develop the tech and innovation ecosystem needed to support these growing businesses. TwoPointOakland (formerly InOak) adopted an Economic Gardening approach to economic growth through entrepreneurship development.
Synopsis
2009 - 2013
Oakland, CA 94577
Key Stakeholders:
City of Oakland
Pandora Internet Radio: CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Joe Kennedy
Lake Merritt-Uptown and Downtown Community Benefit Districts : Manager, Steve Snider
SKS Partners: Paul Stein
Product:
TwoPointOakland (initially InOak), a technology public-private partnership (PPP):
Developed concept of identifying – and growing – Oakland's Tech and Innovation Ecosystem
TwoPointOakland supported Oakland’s growth of tech-based entrepreneurship and businesses though collaboration and networking events
Altered public belief of Oakland as an unwelcome place to do business for tech / innovation companies through media campaigns, awards, events.
Role:
Participated as both City and private sector partner in creating and managing a public/private collaboration that launched InOak, rebranded as TwoPointOakland (2.Oak), a social/professional organization designed to attract, retain and expand tech and innovation businesses in Oakland.
“Debbie has truly been a partner of Pandora's for many years--and an exceptional one. From the time we first met when she was working for the city of Oakland through to this day, she has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to identify and develop mutually beneficial opportunities for companies in Oakland, entrepreneurs in Oakland, and for the city itself. She is an absolute pleasure to be around--one of those people whose energy and enthusiasm is contagious and powers efforts forward that require the involvement of many different people from different organizations.”
Joe Kennedy, (former) CEO, Pandora Internet Radio, Inc.
Outcomes:
Important context: This initiative was developed and launched coincidentally with a series of Downtown riots initiated in 2009. These riots included destruction of storefronts, vandalism, burglary and more, which greatly impacted businesses in the area. In 2011, the launch of Occupy Oakland contributed to a business-negative mindset in Oakland politics that exists today.
Created social media strategy to support tech & innovation ecosystem development, including Twitter and Facebook.
Through a series of tech-focused conferences, events, awards and informal meetups, the Oakland tech community began to find each other. TwoPointOakland co-hosted events across the Downtown and Uptown, taking advantage of Oakland’s burgeoning restaurant scene.
Pandora Internet Radio signed a new and expanded lease in downtown Oakland (2009), expanding its footprint and signaling its confidence in Oakland’s economic future.
Planned and hosted 2 well-attended (300-500 participants) “Oakland Tech & Innovation Awards” events at the Kaiser Rooftop Garden in 2011 and 2012.
The award event's goal was to recognize and celebrate publicly existing Oakland tech & Innovation companies.
Award recipients included (not exclusively): Pandora Internet Radio (Digital Technology), BrightSource Energy (Clean Tech); Integral Group (green engineering & design), Ask.com (Digital Technology); Solar Mosaic (Community Solar); Sungevity (Clean Technology)
Acosta’s Role:
Developed, coordinated and managed two Tech and Innovation Awards productions in collaboration with partner company members.
2008-2013: Served as Co-Chair of 2.Oak, along with Patrick Hurley, representing TwoPointOakland at tech media and other events inside & outside Oakland.
Developed, coordinated, co-managed and emceed two Tech and Innovation Awards productions in collaboration with 2.Oak partners.
Developed and posted content for 2.Oak social media
TWOPOINTOAKLAND (2.OAK)
TWOPOINTOAKLAND (2.Oak, originally InOak), was created through a public-private collaboration intended to promote the City of Oakland as a great place for technology businesses to thrive. InOak launched its first event at a new restaurant in historic Old Oakland in 2009, at the beginning of several years of significant civil unrest.
Yet we persisted! 2.Oak became the center of tech and innovation activities in downtown Oakland, including the creation of two Oakland Tech and Innovation Award showcase events at the Kaiser Rooftop Garden. 2.Oak’s social and professional events elicited grudging acceptance by investors that Oakland has the potential to support a growing, innovative technology sector, Oakland style.
“The outpouring of support from the attendees, award nominees and local underwriters really exemplifies how the Oakland technology community is banding together to create a stronger whole,” said 2.Oak Co-Chair, Deborah Acosta. “We plan to amplify this good news and help create an environment where technology companies can grow and prosper locally.”
“2.Oakland Announces 2012 Tech Innovator Award Winners”
The Registry
