Ivory Innovations

We are thrilled to highlight Jeremiah Munn’s experience as a Value Creation Intern for Canvas, one of the Top 10 Finalists for the Ivory Prize! This San Francisco-based, robotics startup addresses the skilled labor shortage with machinery, AI, and automation. As a recent Ivory Innovations Student Associate, Jeremiah spent his summer calculating value propositions, conducting investor research, and supporting pipeline flow. Working on a key project involving customer savings from Canvas’s drywall robot, helped him understand the complexity of creating effective value propositions in the construction tech industry. Jeremiah received mentorship from Kevin, Canvas's CEO, who emphasized strategic thinking and addressing customer pain points. Reflecting on his time at Canvas, Jeremiah shares, “I’m confident that the skills and experiences I gained at Canvas will be instrumental in my professional journey.” Read more about Jeremiah’s experience here: https://lnkd.in/g4WinQar

Housing affordability was a top concern in the 2024 election, with voters across the U.S. weighing in on state and local measures addressing affordable housing, homelessness, and rent control. Three key categories of proposed policy changes in bond measures, sales tax adjustments, and rent control have been designed to combat these challenges. The election results reveal mixed outcomes, highlighting the need for innovative housing affordability solutions at all government levels.?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gDdv7isB

We are excited to share Erika Jensen’s experience as an Intern with Capsule, an Anaheim-based company that designs, manufactures, and installs prefabricated modular spaces for residential, workplace, and hospitality projects. Erika is a junior at the University of Utah and a recent Ivory Innovations Student Associate. This summer, Erika had the opportunity to work hands-on with customer research, data interpretation, and procurement schedules. Erika’s experience at Capsule allowed her to contribute to real-world projects, enhancing her understanding of the tangible impacts of construction. Through her work, she gained valuable skills in adaptability and communication, which are essential in the fast-paced environment of modular construction. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gpGccdpf

We are excited to share Kian Crawford’s experience as a Development Intern at Villa Homes, the 2024 Ivory Prize Winner in Construction and Design! As a recent Ivory Innovation Student Associate, Kian immersed himself in the housing industry and developed a passion for finding solutions to affordable housing and addressing accessibility issues. From analyzing housing metrics in U.S. metropolitan areas to collaborating closely with the Head of Development and Director of Acquisitions, Kian gained experience in shaping Villa’s expansion strategy. Kian’s student associate role was a rewarding opportunity that allowed him to contribute to meaningful work at Villa! Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gth3Bbmm

In partnership with Enterprise Community Partners, Wells Fargo Foundation, and Terner Labs, explore the 9 case studies from The Case for Innovation in Housing. This program showcases how innovation can transform housing affordability and highlights actionable insights on how local governments can foster environments where housing solutions can thrive and ultimately tackle our nation’s housing supply shortage. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gVYHSV8x

Introducing our 2024-2025 Policy and Regulatory Reform Student Associates!??? Our talented team of student associates conducts policy innovation research, exploring legislation, influential policy-driven organizations, and advocacy efforts, that enhance housing affordability and production. Their work for the Ivory Prize awards highlights impactful solutions and advocacy in housing policy. ?? Ivory Innovations student associates dive deep into the issue of housing affordability, exploring the challenges and latest solutions impacting this critical issue. They play a hands-on role in identifying and analyzing cutting-edge innovations reshaping the future of housing, from new construction techniques to policy shifts and financial models. ??

A huge thank you to John McManus from The Builders Daily! John shared the importance of inspiring the next generation to tackle the challenge of affordable housing. Taking the time to speak with a winning Hack-A-House team from the University of Utah, John explored their unique experience and plans for the future to tackle this critical issue. Read the full article below: https://lnkd.in/gp6Hvvbq ?

Introducing our 2024-2025 Finance Student Associates!??? Our talented team of student associates is researching groundbreaking finance-related businesses, including innovative software platforms, insurance solutions, and alternative lending models. Their work supports the annual Ivory Prize awards by identifying the most impactful solutions pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry.?? Ivory Innovations student associates dive deep into the issue of housing affordability, exploring the challenges and latest solutions impacting this critical issue. They play a hands-on role in identifying and analyzing cutting-edge innovations reshaping the future of housing, from new construction techniques to policy shifts and financial models. ??

Nominations for our annual Ivory Prize will close in 3 weeks!?? Know anyone who has an innovative and scalable idea in the housing affordability industry? Nominate or self-nominate an organization making an impact on the housing affordability crisis. Winners in each of our three categories of the Ivory Prize will be awarded $100,000 and will receive significant recognition for being a top innovator in the field. Apply for the Ivory Prize here: https://lnkd.in/gECSpfKW?

At Ivory Innovations, we’re dedicated to fostering creative, impactful solutions to the nation’s housing affordability crisis. This year’s Ivory Prize Housing Summit was an inspiring gathering of industry innovators committed to reshaping the future of affordable housing. Chris Herbert of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies captured the summit perfectly by stating, “What’s the silver bullet for solving the housing crisis? I’m here to tell you, there is no silver bullet. But there may be silver buckshot.” Housing affordability is a complex, multifaceted challenge, but with a balanced approach, collaboration, and innovation, we can make real progress. Inspired by all those working to make housing accessible and affordable we were thrilled to showcase this year’s Ivory Prize Winners: Villa, City of San Diego ADU Bonus Program, FirstRepair, and Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County's Housing Production Fund and the top 10 finalists https://lnkd.in/euAH8DK8. Their commitment to impact and innovation drives scalable solutions that address housing affordability from multiple angles, helping to pioneer long-term change in the housing landscape. Thank you to the innovators, industry leaders, and participants to who made this year’s Ivory Prize Housing Summit a success. Your dedication and passion for housing affordability is truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing this important work together and making a difference in the industry. You can find the live stream from the Housing Innovation Summit here: https://lnkd.in/gJZ58qm7