Frisco EDC’s First Director of Innovation Will Focus on Startups, Tech, and Venture Capital » Dallas Innovates

Frisco, a city that’s served as a testbed for a number of high-tech pilot projects, continues to build out its innovation ecosystem.

The Frisco Economic Development Corporation has hired local entrepreneur Jasmin Brand to take on the newly created role of director of innovation, with a focus on driving technology and venture capital activity in the city.

“It’s an exciting time to join the Frisco team and to help build Frisco’s innovation ecosystem,” Brand said in a statement. “The efforts around start-ups, technology, and venture capital we build today will create a bright future for our workforce and the residents of Frisco. I look forward to playing a key role in the city’s future.”

Working alongside the city of Frisco’s Chief Innovation Officer Jason Cooley, the EDC said Brand will be responsible for attracting tech-focused businesses and jobs to the city, with the aim of making Frisco a “major national hub” for venture capital and innovation.

Before joining the Frisco EDC, Brand launched a number of ventures, most of which focused on marketing, media, and networking. An executive board member of Southern Methodist University’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Brand most recently founded Her Texas, a networking platform for female professionals in the Lone Star State.

“Jasmin’s efforts align with the city’s work around Smart City technology and municipal innovation that directly affect our residents,” Cooley said in a statement. “These collaborative efforts will enhance the city’s vision regarding innovative technologies for the future of Frisco.”

Frisco is a player in the innovation space. Autonomous vehicle startup Drive.ai has tested a small fleet there. In 2019, Uber chose Frisco as a test site for its helipad for vertical takeoff craft. And in 2020, the city partnered with Starship Technologies to test out on-demand food and grocery robots.

Frisco EDC Vice President Jason Ford previously told NTX Inno that he sees Frisco as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship thanks to the help of more than 200 startups that call the city home and to schools like UNT and Collin College that help fuel the local talent pipeline.

“Jasmin brings an incredible background of sales and marketing, entrepreneurial, tech and innovation experience to this new role,” Ford said in a statement. “Her skills help us grow Frisco’s innovation economy. Jasmin’s approach to relationships and building collaborative partnerships will showcase Frisco as a vibrant hub for venture capital and innovation activity.”

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