Carlton Robinson, DBA
This site is dedicated to sharing my journey of supporting entrepreneurship via Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Thought Leadership. I am open to critique & comments. I created the Innovator’s Journey UML as a business methodology and curriculum to improve the efficacy and efficiency of entrepreneurial/innovation ecosystems. I have spent more than 15 years testing and modeling this approach as an entrepreneur, innovator, and a resource provider. I have divided my work and thought leadership into two areas: PreWeb3 and Web3.
APPALACHIAN RESEARCH IN BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM 2024 Entrepreneur Connectome: Unleashing Generative Artificial Intelligence for Entrepreneur Social Infrastructure in decentralized communities. Marshall University (April 5th).
Introduction of Spatial Economic Gardening
Introduction to Generative AI applications in entrepreneurial education
Bridging gaps in the ecosystem: Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at JAX Chamber, discussed the evolution of Jacksonville's business community over the past decade. Robinson highlighted several key initiatives that have helped Jacksonville evolve over the years, including the development of One Spark, the emergence of the startup community, and the opening of the Mayo Clinic's Innovation Space. He also emphasized the importance of understanding the Gartner Hype Cycle, a tool that can help identify emerging technologies and support entrepreneurs who are working in cutting-edge fields.
2022 Digital Equity Initiative
Digital Equity is “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.” Dr. Robinson feels strongly that as Web3 adoption grows and more communities & enterprises begin building digital twins, it is imperative that education/training exist to promote digital inclusion to avoid a divide. He established The Digital Equity Initiative, it is a project that consists of three DigitalTwinz.eth components (FIN-LIT, Business Builder, & Web3 Actors) aimed at educating youth and entrepreneurs on the Web3 environment. View article and video
Presented The Web3 Innovator’s Journey Model and the framework for DigitalTwinz.eth Web3 Education.
In 2020 the Innovator’s Journey Open Innovation Model emerged as a replicable model and new form of economic gardening in Northeast Florida. Dr. Robinson developed this model based on work from MIT and the Economic Gardening Institute. Throughout the height of the pandemic the model served as a catalyst for seeding innovation in the Northeast Florida region; yielding positive outcomes for both entrepreneurs and enterprises in the Spring of 2021.
The Innovator’s Journey Way is the Unified Modeling Language (UML) for Pivot.City. The UML has also been used to support Economic Gardening programs at scale. Dr. Carlton Robinson, founder and creator of both Pivot.City and the Innovator’s Journey Way presented Northeast Florida’s Economic Gardening Experiment- JAX Bridges to Open Innovation in North Florida to demonstrate the efficacy of the model.
Dr. Robinson receives award at international business conference as co-author of Best Paper in practitioner track. Case will be published in forthcoming tentatively scheduled to be published in SAM Advanced Management Journal Vol 87 Ed 1 (late 2021-early 2022). The SAM Advanced Management Journal is a quarterly, refereed publication that features articles by management scholars and practitioners to advance management thought and practice. Link to publication
2018-2020
The Innovator’s Journey course program was used as a technical assistance method to promote small business entrepreneurial networks over a period of two years. The program, carried out by CSBDF in conjunction with a multitude of higher education institution partners, sought to help small business owners innovate and be more entrepreneurial through an extensive coursework curriculum. Participating schools in the HBCU Network were Shaw University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Elizabeth City State University. Download program evaluation.
Funded by Wells Fargo | Watch on YouTube
As a result of my Penn State University masters thesis related to Triple Helix structures (2017), I made a significant shift in my area of focus towards building entrepreneurial social infrastructure to address the service design of innovation ecosystems; this became my WHY for the Innovator’s Journey UML and the development of Pivot.City. Analyses and characteristics of entrepreneurial communities from 67 Florida counties with at least one Triple-Helix network element are described and used as supporting knowledge. The outcomes are examined to address whether the Triple-Helix network approach yields low economic returns or a higher gain developmental model in the state of Florida.
2018 PSU Defense Download Copy
2017-2019
The Innovator’s Journey curriculum was used as a technical assistance method to cultivate entrepreneurial activity in communities that lack access to resource over a period of two years. The program, carried out by JAX Chamber in conjunction with community partners at Edward Waters College, the New Town Success Zone, and volunteers produced grant opportunities, scholarship opportunities, events, and online resources.
Funded by JP Morgan Chase
2012-Present
The JAX Bridges program has evolved from a concept to a premiere entrepreneurial program in the state of Florida that has received state and corporate funding support. With nearly 2000 alumni and several spin-off programs, it has clearly demonstrated success that the Innovator’s Journey Way curriculum and concepts add value. There is a strong record of success attributed to the program by local entrepreneurs. The program helped the JAX Chamber finish as a national finalist in the area of innovation in 2016.