November 21, 2023 – The Joint Venture board of directors elected Brent C. Harris to its body. Harris is VP of Augmented Reality at Meta. Harris is focused on how to build the next mobile computing platform for people and businesses across the globe and was named an “expert in international regulation” by Wired. “I am enthusiastic about taking on this role at Joint Venture to contribute towards tackling crucial economic and societal challenges in Silicon Valley and to help grow the organization," said Harris. 
November 27, 2023 - In an opinion piece in the Mercury News, David Witkowski, Joint Venture's, Executive Director of Civic Technologies, says the California Public Utilities Commission seems to be hesitating and giving undue consideration to people opposed to technical progress. "...it is being held back by a minority of naysayers who are opposed to technical progress. It’s time for the commission to move our state’s communications network forward to the 21st century."
November 20, 2023 - Joint Venture’s Institute has completed a report in partnership with the University of Washington School of Social Work, Center for Women’s Welfare which models guaranteed basic income (GBI) scenarios. Supported by a 2022-23 grant from the County of Santa Clara with additional support from Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Modeling Guaranteed Basic Income & Household Income Adequacy in Santa Clara County examines how GBI programs can help move families out of poverty and into economic security.
November 27, 2023 - With one of the highest priced housing markets in the country, Silicon Valley’s median home sale price shot up to an all-time high of $1.53 million in 2022. The hottest Silicon Valley housing markets this summer were Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Fremont. Is demand changing the demographics within those sub-regional areas? Joint Venture’s research arm, partnered with Unacast to tap into aggregated mobile device location data. The analysis offers zip-code-level insights on characteristics ranging from age to poverty rate to migration patterns. 
November 27, 2023 - Joint Venture’s Institute for Regional Studies, recently joined with the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and Thrive Alliance to produce A Landscape of Change and Impact, a report on issues confronting nonprofits in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. The groups produced the report to support the nonprofit community and its partners by offering an overview of organizational health, workplace practices, racial justice and equity, and strategic alliances.
November 27, 2023 - Carl Sagan once said, “Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do something." Barry Vesser, COO of the Climate Center, has taken this sentiment to heart. Barry leads The Climate Center’s program and policy development and implementation teams. Barry moved around a great deal as a young man and served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines where he was inspired by the sense of community and kindness that was expressed by people of modest means. 
November 20, 2023 - Mark your calendar now for the 2024 State of the Valley Conference to be held Friday, March 1 at San Jose State University. Count on the most recent data on the state of the Bay Area and illuminating analysis by experts who will break down the numbers.
Silicon Valley growth in people, jobs, investment pass dot-com boom pace; annual report also cites economic challenges for mid-wage earners
SAN JOSE and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. | February 19, 2008 – Silicon Valley experienced a sixth consecutive year of productivity gains in 2007 that surpassed previous highs from the dot com boom, but the growth spurt is offset by economic instability, according to the 2008 Silicon Valley Index released today by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
While the region reported significant growth in population, jobs, median income and investment capital in 2007, economic turbulence is bringing pressure to Silicon Valley workers and their families, particularly mid-wage earners, as they move between jobs and work for smaller firms that offer fewer benefits.
“The rapid change imposed by innovation, venture capital investment and globalization among our leading companies keeps Silicon Valley in the world spotlight,” said Russell Hancock, president and CEO of Joint Venture. “But the volatility of our financial markets, the sub-prime mortgage crisis and fears of impending recession dims the glow for our workforce.”
The Silicon Valley Index, published annually by Joint Venture since 1995, measures the strength of the region’s economy and the health of the community. This year’s index was produced for the first time in partnership with Silicon Valley Community Foundation and coincides with Joint Venture’s annual “State of the Valley” conference, sponsored by the community foundation, to be held on February 22 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Keynote speakers this year include FDIC chair Sheila Bair and former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich.
“The Index reflects good news for some in Silicon Valley, rough patches for others and heart wrenching choices for many,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and President of the community foundation. “The research is a wake-up call to our community that we must work across sectors to address the intertwined challenges facing our region, especially for families with the fewest resources.”
The Index reports its findings in five major sections: People (talent flows, diversity); Economy (innovation, employment, income); Society (preparing for economic success, early education, arts and culture, health, safety); Place (environment, land use, housing, commercial space); and Governance (civic engagement, revenue).
Highlights among the sections in this year’s 64-page Index were:
People: Silicon Valley’s population grew 1.5 percent in 2007, with a net increase over 2006 of 38,000 people – the third consecutive year of increasing population growth rates. Together, 35 percent of San Mateo County and Santa Clara County residents are foreign-born and almost half the population in those counties – 48 percent – speaks a language other than English at home.
Economy: Silicon Valley gained 28,000 jobs, a faster growth rate than California or U.S. overall. Venture capital investment was up nearly 11 percent, with the valley receiving 62 percent of the clean tech VC dollars in the state.
Society: Disparities in health and education continue by race and ethnic groups. High school graduation rates dropped and juvenile offenses increased slightly. Child immunizations rates are not improving. Arts organizations in the region are growing in number with decreasing funding.
Place: Water consumption dropped 6 percent, solar and wind systems installations were up 21 percent, transit ridership was up 3.4 percent and Silicon Valley is home to 11 percent of all hybrid vehicles registered in California. The share of new housing approved near transit rose to 55 percent. Foreclosure rates jumped four times over 2006, rents are up 7 percent.
Governance: Nonprofits continue to grow and voters are increasingly independent, with 23 percent of the valley’s registered voters having no party affiliation. City revenues rose 37 percent mainly due to property taxes. Although the region accounts for roughly 7 percent of the state’s population, Silicon Valley residents contributed 15 percent of state revenues from personal income tax.
