Sacramento Innovating E-Mobility, Eco system building, Economic development

How a local utility company is driving global innovation and fueling entrepreneurs…

SMUD, the 6th largest community owned utility company in the country, like other large corporations at some point in their life cycle, are facing the innovator's dilemma. Their industry is in the process of being disrupted and if they do nothing they could find themselves out of business. Sound familiar? Think Blockbuster, Radio Shack, Circuit City and many other companies that refused to change with the times. 

Arlen Orchard, the CEO of SMUD, recognizes they are in the process of being disrupted and is taking action to make this an opportunity for SMUD, entrepreneurs, and the entire Sacramento Region. SMUD is leading the drive, with the help of countless partners, for the creation of the California Mobility Center. 

Arlen Orchard, SMUD's CEO, joined me on the podcast to talk about how this initiative was born, why it matters for this region, and why SMUD, a large, community owned organization is investing so heavily in leading and funding this effort.

What energized me the most about our discussion is how the California Mobility Center has put entrepreneurs at the center of their effort – with plans to foster innovation through assets like prototyping facilities, a trained workforce, and an investment fund.

Entrepreneurs are the answer…they solve the world’s biggest problems like the future of mobility and clean transportation…and with the region’s key resources so significantly aligning to attract, support and amplify entrepreneurial efforts, I believe anything is possible!

What you will learn listening to this episode:

Utility companies are being disrupted. They are becoming two sides of the same coin and will be the fuel provider for the future of transportation (2:54)

Arlen shares shares how SMUD is leading the charge on the public/private consortium California Mobility Center and the fund that will stand alongside it. (6:41)

Arlen talks about the future of transportation and e mobility future and how the California Mobility Center will be a part of that future. (7:55)

The California Mobility Center is meant to speed of the commercialization of e-Mobility technology. (10:38)

Arlen shares the entrepreneurial opportunities that will arise from the California Mobility Center. (20:59)

Arlen talks ecosystem building and how sacramento can be the international hub of innovation that funds and commercializes new future mobility technologies. (25:57)

Arlen walks us through the journey of a cohort company that will go through the California Mobility Center. (35:21) 

What the next two years looks like for the California Mobility Center and what that means for sacramento california. (38:12)

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