Thursday, Dec. 8
Cincinnati is gaining a reputation as a center for innovation in the startup sector. The Haile Foundation, People’s Liberty, Issue Media Group and Soapbox have joined forces to host Idealab, a day-long event discussing the importance of funding talent-led initiatives for community and economic development.
Throughout the morning at Rhinegeist Brewery, four panel discussions will explore cutting-edge philanthropic models by pairing funders with their recipients to share what they learned and how this has been applied.
During the lunchtime keynote address, Eric Avner of the Haile Foundation and People’s Liberty will address the model People’s Liberty has developed to target individuals for investment, rather than organizations, and to focus on specific, community-enhancing projects. In addition, People’s Liberty provides support for its grantees throughout the funding period, including work space, access to local and national connections, and assistance in skill-building.
In the afternoon, attendees will tour examples of innovative economic investment in three sectors: food innovation (Findlay Market), creative placemaking (Hellman Building, Covington) and education (Children’s Hospital).
Following the tours, the day will conclude with an informal happy hour at The Transept near Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine.
Registration is $44, including lunch, happy hour, an all-day streetcar pass and transportation to the off-site afternoon programs. Funders, innovators, community activists, nonprofit organizations, students, urbanists and social entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend.