This past April the City of Jacksonville hosted a five day
event called One Spark. It was one of
the most exciting things Jacksonville has ever done. There were hundreds of exhibitors--artists, scientists,
musicians, and innovators—set up over four or five blocks of downtown
Jacksonville. One
Spark organizers asked everyone to register online, and anyone who attended the
event became an investor. As we walked
from one exhibit to the next, we were each given the power to vote for
promising ideas. $100,000 was awarded according
to the number of votes an exhibitor received from members of the crowd. Like Kickstarter, investors had the
opportunity to donate their own money to promising projects. I continued to pinch myself asking, “Is this
really Jacksonville?” One Spark was
successful, and plans for next year have already begun. I can’t wait.
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