EXETER, N.H. (PRWEB) May 12, 2022
The R2 Network has launched a new event and engagement platform, R2 Connect, an online community for innovators and first responders to share, discover, and adopt best practices and new public safety technology.
R2 Connect will offer members year-round access to virtual events along with networking and on-demand content. Members can connect and engage through one-to-one meetings and direct messaging. When signing up for R2 Connect, the platform’s AI-based matchmaking tool will help pair together members with similar interests or needs. Membership is open to all first responders and supporting organizations, and there is no cost to join.
Public safety events will be the primary focus of R2 Connect, including webinars, fireside chats, roundtables, panel discussions, pitch competitions, and tech talks. For more personalized networking, members will have the ability to join virtual lounges or rooms, which provide an opportunity to interactively connect with featured speakers, innovators, and other members.
The initial event lineup includes content like a three-part AWS GovTechStart Webinar Series, Grant Training Seminars, R2 Innovator and Early Adopter Spotlights, Public Safety Investor Series, and Sci-Fi Tech Fireside chats.
To support the R2 Network’s mission of connecting first responders and leading technology innovators, the platform also features hundreds of tech providers that specialize in creating solutions for first responders. In the near future, the R2 Network plans to scale R2 Connect to bring members together for in-person events.
R2 Connect is one of the R2 Network’s three core initiatives:
- R2 Connect: In-person and virtual events to bring together first responders and tech innovators to share, learn and adopt best practices and new technology.
- R2 Portal: An online solution departments can use to source, vet, and commercialize or deploy new technology.
- R2 Learn: Resources to educate entrepreneurs and public safety professionals on the unique challenges and opportunities of the public safety markets.
“R2 Connect is an important step forward for the R2 Network. The Connect app will bring innovators and end-users together in new ways to promote collaboration and foster innovation. Events are a critical component of the public safety ecosystem. R2 Connect will help bring virtual, hybrid, and in-person events to public safety agencies of all sizes and locations, improving access and input to needed technology.” Bryce Stirton, Director, R2 Network.
Interested public safety agencies, innovators, and entrepreneurs can join R2 Connect today by visiting: https://connect.r2network.com/login. Once members have joined, they can register for upcoming events, start networking with community members and explore the Content Hub. R2 Connect is available for free in-app stores for both IOS & Android devices.
About the R2 Network
Founded in 2020, the R2 Network is a public-private innovation network backed by a $2 million federal grant put forth by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce; FirstNet Authority; and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Created out of a need to face the nation’s most pressing Response and Resiliency (R2) challenges, the R2 Network delivers resources, tools, and opportunities to entrepreneurs and first responders to commercialize and deploy new technology. Learn more at r2network.com.