As part of the San Francisco-based Startup in Residence program, a pair of private companies have been working for months within the municipal government of San Leandro to develop tech-based solutions for challenges that face that city. Now, the companies are ready for San Leandro residents to spend a couple of hours testing what they’ve made.
The companies are looking for a diverse group of between 12 and 15 residents, ages 16 and up, who can — on Aug. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. — test what they’ve developed. To participate, the residents need only be Facebook users who own a smartphone, tablet or laptop. In the interest of involving as many different types of testers as possible, developers also ask that potential testers complete a short survey.
This is the second year that San Leandro has brought tech startups in to help solve governmental challenges. This year the city is working with YoGov, a group based in Oakland that is helping the city create an easier, more accessible website that offers visitors a personalized experience based on their needs and tastes. The inspiration for this comes from massive private companies such as Amazon, Netflix and Google, which all tailor content for individuals.
The other company working with San Leandro is local company Bexi, which is working with the city’s library to use a Facebook Messenger bot (more on the increasing prevelance of government chatbots in a bit). The bot will serve as an interface that will help residents enjoy all that the city has to offer by collecting feedback on and spreading awareness of community events, culture and other public concerns.
This story originally appeared in Government Technology as part of a larger piece.
