Tear Down Silos – Gather Around a Pillar

Having spent his career in IT, both in the public and private sectors, Rob Kopp has dealt with his share of silos: obstacles to the efficient function of business and use of information.

So when the opportunity came to become part of a truly collaborative business community that would remove silos and barriers for local businesses, he jumped at it.

Tear Down Silos

For large, established businesses, silos can be organizational, technological, and geographic, with information and communication being stifled by the sheer size of the enterprise and accessibility of data.

But for emerging businesses, obstacles can present themselves in different forms; access to experts, professional facilities, and powerful infrastructure, for example.

As a tenant of the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center in its original location, Kopp maintained an office there while he built his business, Metro Data Center LLC, a full service, state of the art data center.

“The DEC provided the foundation I needed for getting my business off the ground,” says Kopp.  “But the support I received went far beyond the physical facility.  I was able to tap resources I never would have had access to without the DEC.  And I was able to work in a supportive and vibrant atmosphere that fostered innovation and collaboration.”

From Tenant to Partner

When the original site of the DEC was purchased by Ohio University for the future home of its Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the search was on for a new DEC location.

This challenge turned to opportunity for a true public-private partnership, when the City of Dublin and partner TechColumbus approached Kopp about using the office space that surrounded Metro Data Center to create a unique entrepreneurial community.

Dana McDaniel, Deputy City Manager and Director of Economic Development for the City of Dublin explains, “Combining an entrepreneurial center and data center is a first in Central Ohio, and responds to the needs of startup and established businesses alike.  It’s a natural partnership.”

Gather Around a Pillar

Metro Data Center is the central pillar at the heart of the DEC.  The 6,000 square foot data center houses the mission-critical IT infrastructure of major clients including Dublin’s DUBLink fiber optic network and OARnet, the statewide broadband network and shared services provider for Ohio education and public communities.

More than 90 emerging businesses now call the new DEC facility home, and the resources of the powerful Metro Data Center are accessible to these businesses.

“Where else can a startup business have access to a full-service SOC 2 / HIPAA-certified data center for hosting their operations?” asks Kopp.  “It is a distinct competitive advantage for these emerging businesses.”

The Real Differentiator: A Collaborative Environment

Many business incubators and accelerators provide affordable office space and technical advisory services.  The differentiator for the DEC is that its focus is on establishing a vibrant collaborative community.

As satisfying as it has been to build a business, Kopp says being part of the collaborative atmosphere of the DEC is one of the most gratifying aspects of his career.

“I’m struck by the partnerships and collaboration I see happen on a daily basis, from entrepreneurs sharing expertise, to businesses joining forces to solve problems, to the business-focused educational programming and networking events presented here.  It’s a great thing to be part of.   It’s the validation of a personal and professional vision.”

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