About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

This event took place on Wednesday 10 April. You can watch the recording below.

We know how important public infrastructure is to make sure our everyday lives function. From public transport to waste collection, these are the systems, structures and facilities that keep society moving. But what about our digital infrastructure, the data, hardware and software that - although less noticeable - is just as vital?

A lack of investment in digital infrastructure can have far-reaching consequences. The coronavirus pandemic saw countries facing huge challenges with data collection and poorly digitised administrative structures. Digital infrastructure affects everything from our economy to our healthcare and is key for driving potential for innovation, growth and democracy - it’s crucial that the government supports it.

Adriana Groh, co-founder of the Sovereign Tech Fund, is on a mission to ensure open digital infrastructure is properly funded. She joined us for a live conversation with Nesta’s Group Chief Practices Officer James Plunkett to explore how governments can support the development, improvement and maintenance of an open digital infrastructure.

Why you should watch the recording

This recording is for anyone interested in public policy, digitalisation, and disruptive innovations, whether you’re working in government, the start-up sector or think tanks.

Adriana and James shared insights from the Sovereign Tech Fund – an exceptional example of a successful policy case study to support open source infrastructure in the public interest.

The opinions expressed in this event recording are those of the speaker. For more information, view our full statement on external contributors.

Speakers

STF_Adriana-Groh

Adriana Groh

Adriana Groh is the co-founder of the Sovereign Tech Fund, a new organisation with the German Ministry for Economic Affairs to invest in open digital infrastructures. Previously, she built a project on digital sovereignty, participation and data commons with the city of Hamburg and was the director of the Prototype Fund, an innovation fund of the Open Knowledge Foundation and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Her interest lies on applying democratic principles to the field of innovation and digitalization, and she co-initiated several tech projects, such as a chat app for federal elections in Germany and the #WeVsVirus Hackathon.