Learn about our initiatives
How we use initiatives to accomplish our work
Joint Venture is often referred to as a “think tank,” a common term for a body of experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic problems. At Joint Venture, we prefer the term “think and do tank.” Along with providing data and guidance on our region’s economic and community challenges, we take action on the most pressing issues by launching initiatives. For each initiative we create a plan, form a working group or task force led by board and community champions who convene to assess the need, and then carry out the necessary activities toward a solution.
The lifecycle of an initiative
All Joint Venture initiatives begin with a specific mission and identifiable goals and then are carried out to their logical conclusion. Successful initiatives culminate with their goals achieved. Others, after incubation by Joint Venture, ultimately transfer to partner organizations for long-term administration. Still others cannot reach the desired outcome due to a variety of circumstances. In all cases, we analyze the steps taken, the data collected, the accomplishments and the shortcomings, and then report the results of completed initiatives to our board and to the community.
Our current initiatives
Civic Technology
Wireless Communications
Improving wireless network infrastructure in Silicon Valley
Climate Change
Climate-Safe California
Working to bring California’s climate targets and policies into alignment with current science
Climate Change
Public Sector Climate Task Force
Developing effective solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Transportation
Managers Mobility Partnership
Four Silicon Valley cities working jointly to address transportation challenges
Transportation
Seamless Bay Area
Seeking to transform the Bay Area’s fragmented public transit into a unified and equitable system
Food Recovery
The Initiative strengthens the local food recovery ecosystem by spurring funding and innovation; propagating food waste prevention and recovery strategies; and supporting government programs focused on the food sector.
Our recently completed initiatives
A La Carte
A fleet of trucks staffed by trained personnel who gather prepared and packaged food from corporate and university campuses for delivery to people in need.
Alliance for Teaching
Developed a range of efforts that addressed challenges facing K-12 public school teachers in Silicon Valley
Climate Prosperity
United local governments, businesses and institutions in defining and deploying initiatives that address long range environmental challenges.
COVID-19
Due to the COVID crisis, on March 16, 2020 and at the onset of lockdown orders, Joint Venture re-purposed and redeployed staff and volunteers to be of maximum service to the region.
Disaster Preparedness
A regional, cross-boundary initiative in the area of disaster planning and emergency preparedness
Energy Storage
A symposium to showcase and monitor progress and new developments of the Storage industry
HayWired Connection
Developed to engage with and guide residents, businesses, and policymakers of the bay region in earthquake-risk reduction and resilience-building actions.
Lighthouse
Working to create a relationship-based ecosystem that supports a Silicon Valley economy where all families can thrive
Transportation
Manzanita Talks
Talks to explore the logic of cross-sector collaboration to address traffic challenges.
Silicon Valley Talent Partnership
Tackling some of the region's problems by leveraging the abundance of human capital from Silicon Valley's distinguished corporations
Smart Health
Overcoming the barriers inherent in applying information technology to healthcare
Solar Procurement
Renewable Energy Procurement (REP)
Regional, multi-agency collaborative purchases of renewable energy for public agency facilities
Sustainable Buildings
Addressed new and existing buildings, from the planning stage to operations, to identify opportunities to save resources and money
Workforce Development
Provided workforce development services for employers and job seekers in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
