Discussion Highlights
- Education on Tribal priorities, capabilities, and constraints
- Tribal members began to highlight some constraints and issues the Tribes generally face and the importance of learning to work with Tribes.
- External advisors and network partners expressed a need to understand Tribal priorities, capabilities and constraints further so that we can set clear expectations with prospective companies.
- Dr. Ramon Sanchez shared that the ATCE has introductory education materials available.
- Education and outreach to Tribes on innovation ecosystem
- Tribal members expressed the importance of outreach and education to Tribal community members.
- Dr. Ramon Sanchez shared that the ATCE has education materials innovation ecosystems and the path to form startups in Tribal communities that is designed for Tribal communities and governments.
- Business opportunity screening
- SCEIN, LACI, and LARTA conduct due diligence on the startups in their network. TECC may be able to optimize initial due diligence process.
- Consider how to best present business opportunities to the Tribes. Significant experience designing pitch competition amongst advisory board that TECC can leverage.
- Pilot deployment and Tribal rights related to US federal and state regulation
- Recognized there will be grey areas. Tribal nations are sovereign but generally have to follow Federal regulations.
- Need to better understand as it relates to technology pilots so that TECC and a prospective company can properly evaluate the value of doing a pilot in collaboration with a Tribal partner.
- TECC Innovation Ecosystem Regional Investment Initiative grant alignment
- Recommendation that we align on TECC’s commitment in the RII grant.
Action Items
- Develop educational material on Tribal engagement, capabilities, and constraints for both advisory board and prospective companies. Utilize material from ATCE.
- Explore what educational material and outreach is needed for SCTCA Tribal governments and communities.
- Develop understanding of regulatory constraints and advantages related to a technology pilot deployment on Tribal lands.