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Center on Rural Innovation
2025 Conference
How can we shape the future of rural tech economies in the AI era?
When: September 10, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with reception to follow
Where: MASS MoCA | North Adams, MA
Cost: $100 rate, includes lunch and networking reception.
AI is the most significant technological shift in a generation, and it’s already transforming the economic landscape. Join changemakers, entrepreneurs, and funders shaping the future of rural tech economies in the AI era for the 2025 CORI Conference, where we will discuss the opportunities and challenges this next wave of technological advancement presents.
Attendees will include a diverse and influential group of leaders from across the country who are driving change in rural America. Leaders from the Rural Innovation Network, as well as entrepreneurs, investors, economic development professionals, government officials, philanthropic organizations, higher education institutions, and nonprofit partners will be represented, coming together to ask: how do we reimagine rural tech ecosystems to ensure that they have the tools, voice, and agency to thrive in the AI era?
Conference Sessions:
Unleashing Rural Innovation: Collaborators, Champions, and Catalysts
What truly fuels innovation in rural communities? This dynamic session will explore the elements and players necessary for cultivating vibrant rural tech economies. A diverse panel of leaders from higher education, successful rural businesses, and frontline economic development organizations will discuss how to identify, nurture, and leverage partnerships to spark sustainable growth. Uncover actionable strategies and learn how cross-sector partnerships can shape the future of rural economies as we discuss CORI’s model and the rural economic development in the age of AI.
Fueling Tech Entrepreneurship in Rural America: Navigating the Rural Funding Landscape
Unpacking the unique complexities of financing tech ventures outside of major urban hubs, this session will provide an in-depth look at what it takes to fund a rural tech startup. We’ll explore the often-overlooked funding gaps that hinder growth in rural communities, and how the rise of AI is changing things for both founders and investors. A dynamic panel of rural startup founders and investors will share their journeys, challenges, and success strategies, providing actionable takeaways for both entrepreneurs seeking capital and those looking to support rural innovation.
The Critical Role of AI Skilling in Today’s Economy
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries globally, the need for AI skills extends to every corner of America. We’ll explore how AI can foster innovation, unlock new economic pathways, and create significant tech-based opportunities. Discover the specific advantages AI offers for those looking to launch tech careers or build their own startups, and how artificial intelligence skills are no longer optional. We’ll also outline practical pathways to ensure equitable access to these vital skills, ensuring rural America not only thrives but leads in an AI-driven future.
Stay tuned! Speakers and panelists to be announced soon.
About North Adams, MA & MASS MoCA
Insert photo credit: Meghan Jones
We will be gathering in North Adams, MA, a city of nearly 13,000 situated in the Berkshire Mountains, approximately an hour from Albany, NY and three hours from Boston. The event will take place at MASS MoCA, one of the largest centers for contemporary art in the world, known for its bold installations, innovative performances, and dynamic community programming. By transforming a former factory complex into a thriving hub for art, culture, and community, MASS MoCA has helped catalyze local investment, attract visitors from around the globe, and demonstrate the powerful role the creative economy can play in rural transformation.
About 1Berkshire and the Berkshire Innovation Center
A Rural Innovation Network member since 2020, 1Berkshire and the Berkshire Innovation Center have been at the forefront of tech-driven economic growth in the region. They’ve supported over 1,500 entrepreneurs, helped secure $10M+ in grant funding, and led bold initiatives like the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0 to spur innovation across 32 rural communities.
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Interested in becoming a 2025 conference sponsor
to help foster rural innovation?
Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Contact: Danielle Samalin, Director of Strategic Growth