InnoMAYtion returns with a chance to connect with civic tech

The month of May arrived Tuesday, and for the D.C. government that means it’s time for InnoMAYtion. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s monthlong celebration of entrepreneurship shows the intersection of tech and local government, and celebrates entrepreneurship in the District.

It’s a full month of events and announcements around the District’s tech and startup community, with a focus on inclusion and “everyday innovators.” On the latter point, the District is looking to spotlight leaders in four categories: “movement makers,” “equity builder,” “barrier breaker” and “knowledge seeker.” Here’s the nomination form.

This year it begins with an event dubbed Digital TranforMAYtion on May 2 at the Verizon Technology and Policy Center focusing on civic innovation. David Eaves, a former Presidential Innovation Fellow under Obama, will give a keynote. And the event also features a panel on civic innovation and how women are shaping technology with:

• Julie Kanzler, DC OCTO, Program Manager, Data APIs and Systems; The Lab DC.
• Michelle Beaman Chang, Founder & CEO IMBY.
• Amen Ra Mashariki, Esri, formerly of NYC Chief Analytics Officer.
• Rick Chandler, Commissioner, New York City Department of Buildings.

Another big event this week is on Saturday, when iStrategyLabs hosts a hackathon focusing on the same issues.

🗣️ Calling all civic hackers, entrepreneurs, students, and community members — Join us THIS Saturday, May 5th from 9:30am-3:30pm at the 2018 #InnoMAYtion #Hackathon! This year we are focusing on civic innovation + women in tech! #dctech

RSVP today! https://t.co/5E68qNU5zg pic.twitter.com/Qm8dLMdOHO

— DC Office of the CTO (@OCTODC) May 1, 2018

The week also features a session on malicious information campaigns hosted by Data4Democracy and an intro to web analytics at Hera Hub DC. The events go on throughout the month.

Want to get involved? Visit the website to see what else is happening this month.