Cade Prize

Plan Elements

Goals

• Short-term: Attract regional and national attention to the Chamber of Commerce initiative as well as to the Cade Museum
• Medium-term: Develop a culture of innovation in Gainesville and garnering community support for the Cade Museum
• Long-term: Help Gainesville keep and attract innovators and tech start-ups that will create jobs

Organizational Home/Plan Champions

• Home: Cade Museum
• Champions: Cade Museum, Chamber, Tech or VC sectors

Resource Requirements

• Leadership: Cade Museum Foundation, local entrepreneurs
• Infrastructure: In-kind contributions from local incubators (space, mentoring support)
• Capital: $50,000 from Cade Museum for prize, Chamber to organize and run award ceremony

Assessment Criteria

Metrics

• Regional and national press attention
• Attention on Gainesville or Florida-based start-up companies from venture capital firms.
• Number of students and young innovators who remain or move to Gainesville.
• Attention and support for the Cade Museum building project.
• Number of science students at the UF and Santa Fe who seek entrepreneurship training.
• Number of local high-school students who enter entrepreneurship programs.

Investment Requirement: Low ($50,000; in-kind donations from incubators)

Impacts: High (increased visibility and promotion of innovation)

Readiness: High ($50,000 already in hand at Cade Foundation; more fundraising needs in future)

Implementation Timeline: Immediate