What is Smart North?

Get to know our organization

Smart North is a Minnesota based, 501 C(3) organization with a mission to promote digital equity and improve the quality of life in the state. The organization works with underserved and BIPOC communities to establish community tech hubs and offer various services such as youth-led tech support, workforce training, services for adults, and a tech talent pipeline. The goal is to equalize opportunities and address the digital divide in the post-pandemic and post-George Floyd world.

What Does Smart North Do?

We are executing our mission through three core pillars:

1

Advancing Digital Equity

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, our Community Tech Hubs offer a range of programs in 21st century skills to marginalized communities in Minnesota. These programs include mentorship, training, and career pathways for youth, adults, and small businesses.

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2

Transforming Livability

Smart North has helped cities and communities across Minnesota learn, evaluate, and deploy smart and connected city solutions. By enabling these solutions, we hope communities can build resiliency and develop digital solutions for a post pandemic 21st century digital life, work and economy.

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3

Cultivating Thought Leadership

Smart North has helped cities and communities across Minnesota learn, evaluate, and deploy smart and connected city solutions. By enabling these solutions, we hope communities can build resiliency and develop digital solutions for a post pandemic 21st century digital life, work and economy.

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Our Leadership

Smart North's Founders and Board Members

Thomas Fisher

Founding Board Member
University of Minnesota

Tayo Daniel

Founding Board Member
Aeterna Media

Sabina Saksena

Founding Board Member
Cytilife Inc

Amanda Reed

Board Member
Essentia Health

Rajni Shah

Board Member
MyMeds.com

Jaime Wascalus

Board Member
City of Saint Paul Office of Technology and Communications

Kimberley Burke

Board Member
Cargill

Martha Engel

Board Secretary and Legal Counsel
Best & Flanagan

Michael Wessles

Smart North Treasurer
Apex Business Partners

Our Partners

Smart North's Wonderful Supporters

Community Tech Hub: Minneapolis

Community Tech Hub: Deer River

Community Tech Hub: Grand Rapids

Smart Street Lights: Grand Rapids

FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Smart North and its initiatives.

What is Smart North?

Smart North is a Minnesota based organization that promotes digital equity and improves the quality of life in the state. They work with underserved and BIPOC communities to establish community tech hubs and offer various services such as youth-led tech support, workforce training, services for adults, and a tech talent pipeline.

Get in Touch

Our collective of entrepreneurs, educators, designers, teachers, researchers, and professionals are united by shared values and beliefs regarding digital equity and livability, to shape the impact we strive to create.