Our Rural Innovation Model
From community priorities to lasting impact.
Rural innovation works best when communities help define the priorities, innovators understand the settings they hope to serve, and partners can help promising ideas move into practice. Our model connects these perspectives, making room for both exploration and adoption of solutions that are already further along.
Our capabilities, from discovery to scale.
Engage at any stage, or across the entire journey. Partner with us on a specific capability, from sourcing solutions to piloting innovations, or work with us end to end, from defining priorities to scaling what works.
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1
Identify & Define Convene communities to identify shared priorities, the problems getting in the way, and the outcomes that matter.
Through community cohorts and collaborative discovery, we work with rural organizations to explore the challenges affecting well-being, identify what they have in common, and agree on the outcomes that matter. This creates a clear starting point for identifying solutions and engaging partners.
In practice
Community cohortsDiscovery conversations -
2
Source Vet technologies with the potential to address rural priorities.
We vet and assess solutions through approaches suited to the opportunity, including innovation challenges and cooperative procurement. These processes promote fair and open competition while identifying technologies that respond to community-defined needs and can work in rural settings.
In practice
Innovation challengesCooperative purchasingSourcewell is a local unit of government under Minnesota state statute, and competitively solicits and awards contracts. Purchasing agencies are responsible for performing due diligence and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as specific funding requirements, in consultation with legal counsel.
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3
Prepare Build the readiness needed on both sides of innovation.
Our accelerator helps technology innovators understand rural realities, refine their value propositions and business models, and prepare for implementation and growth. At the same time, we support rural organizations in assessing their capacity, evaluating options, making informed decisions, and planning for successful adoption. The goal is to make sure both sides are ready to work together.
In practice
Rural readiness acceleratorCommunity cohort working sessions -
4
Match & Align Connect the right partners around shared goals and clear expectations.
We bring rural organizations and innovators together based on real needs and potential fit. Together, they explore the opportunity, identify what is required for success, and align on responsibilities, resources, outcomes, and next steps before moving forward.
In practice
Solution ShowcaseConnection DaysDirect introductions -
5
Demonstrate Test solutions in practice and build evidence that informs decisions.
When a pilot is the right next step, we help partners plan, implement, and evaluate it in a real rural setting. We define success up front, support both organizations and innovators throughout, and capture what works, what does not, and what can be improved. Not every solution needs a new pilot, and the decision to continue remains with the participating organization.
In practice
Supported pilotsDemonstration periodsEvaluation -
6
Sustain & Scale Help effective solutions last and reach more rural communities.
We support the transition from testing to longer-term adoption, including implementation planning, and partner connections where appropriate. Where relevant, one cooperative contract can create a pathway to thousands of public agencies, giving participating agencies an efficient purchasing pathway. Shared learning and broader networks help carry useful evidence and solutions to more rural places.
In practice
Funding pathwaysSourcewell contractsShared learningSourcewell is a local unit of government under Minnesota state statute, and competitively solicits and awards contracts. Purchasing agencies are responsible for performing due diligence and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as specific funding requirements, in consultation with legal counsel.
Find the pathway that fits
Start from where you are.
For rural organizations
Explore a shared challenge with peers or look into a solution that may be ready for your organization.
How we work with rural organizations
For innovators
From rural-market preparation to real-world testing and opportunities for growth, find out where your technology fits.
How we work with innovators
For strategic partners & funders
See how a strategic partnership can connect your priorities and resources with community needs and measurable outcomes.
Explore strategic partnership opportunities
See the model in practice
Every initiative looks different.
Explore the needs communities identified, the solutions considered, decisions made, and the outcomes or lessons documented along the way.
Explore our work