3245-0392 Appendix A-4 RIC Clusters description 2-23-2023

Appendix A-4 RIC Cluster Descriptions

Appendix A-4 RIC Cluster Descriptions

The following cluster descriptions will be provided in the introduction, invitation, and reminder emails, consent forms, and surveys for small business and large organization respondents. These descriptions are intended to facilitate respondents’ recall of their participation in cluster activities, events, or services.

• AR Conductor: supports underserved and rural areas of central Arkansas to build a diverse, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. It focuses on the region’s high potential industries of data/decision sciences, health care, and education.

• Defense Alliance: supports small businesses in the Upper Midwest (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin). It contributes to the vibrancy of the defense industry and the national technology base in such industries as power and energy, strategic natural resources, and cybersecurity.

• Montana Bioscience Cluster (MBSC): provides direct assistance to bioscience entrepreneurs in Montana. It uses public and private stakeholders to offer peer-to-peer engagement, workforce development, ongoing technical assistance, and a gap fund.

• Strategy 1 (Arizona Optics Valley Initiative): is the optics industry cluster in Arizona that connects optics, photonics, and astronomy companies to one another. It facilitates growth of companies, promotes the formation of new entrepreneurial companies, and enhances the perception of the optics industry.

• Utah Advanced Material and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI): assures growth and sustainability of Utah’s manufacturing industry and its value-added advanced materials, technology development, and design.

• Kansas State University (KSU), the Great Plains Technology and Manufacturing Cluster (TMC): creates competitive advantages for entrepreneurs and businesses in technology and manufacturing industries across Kansas, selected parts of Missouri, and the Kansas City metro area.

• AgLaunch Delta AgCluster: is comprised of primarily rural counties in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It aims to become an internationally recognized implementation and commercialization zone for agricultural innovation and new market development.

• AgLaunch Southern Appalachian AgriFood Innovation Cluster: assists entrepreneurs and businesses in small, rural, and underserved communities in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It focuses on commercializing agricultural technology, scaling-up food productions, and creating equitable opportunities to address poverty.

• Acendian (Missouri): connects medical companies with chief medical officers (CMOs) and low-cost U.S.-based manufacturers to improve supply chain operations. Focus areas include CMO sourcing, drug product sourcing, technology transfer support, and marketplace management.

• Ozarks Regional Innovation Cluster, Startup Junkie (Ozarks): builds entrepreneurial ecosystems in Arkansas across industries and stages of the venture. It supports fledgling entrepreneurs, startups, and the growth of small businesses.

• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Development Capital Networks (DCN): focuses on driving economic development through attracting UAS technology, capital, and talent to local communities. It covers all U.S. states except South Dakota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, and Alaska.

• Larta (California): is a bioscience cluster committed to driving scientific and technological innovation. Areas of focus include energy, cleantech, environment, climate, food, agribusiness, bioscience, and health care.