Cody Chamberlain
Hometown:
North Adams, MA
Cody is excited to work with leaders in his community, build connections between innovators, and provide valuable opportunities for entrepreneurs and young people in Berkshire County.
Cody has been a Massachusetts resident for more than 12 years and has been working to support entrepreneurs there since 2014. He moved to Berkshire County, MA in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and found his home in North Adams.
He is excited to be working with 1Berkshire and the Berkshire Innovation Center to provide entrepreneurs with technical assistance and access to a growing network of resource partners. By collaborating with local stakeholder organizations, they are building a hub for innovation in Berkshire County that makes entrepreneurship accessible to all.
Cody is also working with area schools and colleges to develop internship opportunities for students with entrepreneurs, along with entrepreneurial programming to support each next generation of innovators.
ERC Project
Project Title:
The Berkshire County Next Generation Entrepreneurship Bridge Initiative
Host Community or Region:
Massachusetts
Host Organization:
1Berkshire Strategic Alliance
Spanning 946 square miles and encompassing 32 cities/towns with approximately 128,000 residents, Berkshire County, Massachusetts is known for its industrial heritage, natural beauty, and cultural economy. Yet, the region grapples with an economic plateau. The “Berkshire County Next Generation Entrepreneurship Bridge Initiative” focuses on entrepreneurial ecosystem building for technology startups and underrepresented and immigrant-owned businesses. The ERC Fellow will collaborate with 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Innovation Center, and others to cultivate a “Creative Tech” startup community that integrates accessible, inclusive economic development strategies. Complementary, the fellow will devise a pilot to connect local students with these emerging startups to cultivate new skills and entrepreneurial mindsets. This project is poised to diversify and strengthen Berkshire County’s economy while fostering local entrepreneurship, inclusivity, and support systems.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
