Introducing C2M beta, Blackfoot’s Open Innovation Lab

MISSOULA, MT — Blackfoot, the owner and operator of a regional multi-gigabit network, announced the launch of its new open innovation lab, called C2M beta. The first of its kind in the region, C2M beta will provide startup companies with access to Blackfoot’s technology infrastructure, expertise and its nearly 20,000 customers across 16 states, with the aim of jointly accelerating the delivery of products and services to the market.

Partnering with Startups
“As part of Blackfoot’s Smart Growth strategy,” said Jason Williams, CEO at Blackfoot, “we are continuing our decades-long commitment to deliver cutting-edge products and services to our customers. With the launch of C2M beta, we are now proactively partnering with startups to drive innovation, attract strategic partnerships and further support Montana’s thriving tech economy.”

Quickly Prototype and Test New Solutions
Joe Fanguy is the founder of C2M beta and VP of Strategic Development at Blackfoot. “C2M beta will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and industry experts to quickly prototype solutions, and test them with real customers,” said Fanguy. “To sweeten the opportunity, Blackfoot will support participants with its advanced broadband, wireless, cloud and data solutions as part of the open innovation experience.”

Six-Month Program
Companies selected to participate in the program will work with Blackfoot over a six-month period, during which C2M beta will assemble a customized, multi-disciplinary team (including a coach) to support the startup, plus provide a combination of business, technical and project support, with a focus on lean startup and agile methodologies.

“We aspire pre-seed and seed stage startups to think broadly about this opportunity,” added Fanguy. “C2M beta will initially focus on innovative solutions in healthcare, banking, telecommunications and media that leverage cloud, wireless, big data and analytics, IoT and AI technologies.”

C2M beta is already in full recruitment mode for its 2018 cohort of startups.