
We don’t wait for opportunity.
We create it.
America has a new generation opting for a better quality of life in middle America, away from the stress and cost of big city living. In turn, the heartland has a new opportunity for revitalization and growth. This is where Waymaker Group comes in. From insight through implementation, we accelerate opportunities for mid-market cities to create thriving innovation districts.

WHAT WE DO
Innovation District Strategic Planning
& Implementation Services
Feasibility Assessments & Strategic Plans
We build ready-to-implement frameworks that integrate existing data with stakeholder input and fresh insight.
Governance
We help form an independent governing body that works closely with stakeholders to speed the transition from mission alignment to real-world implementation. This includes establishing the entity, setting up initial operations and developing a board of directors, which will hire executives to help plan and execute project initiatives.
Partner Development
We orchestrate deep collaboration between public agencies and the private sector to build successful innovation growth initiatives that allow your ecosystem to scale quickly.
Cluster Design
We integrate your unique innovation assets and identify gaps to create rich, sector-specific, and fundable initiatives that fuel economic growth.
Funding Strategy
We use a variety of funding vehicles to accelerate development of the infrastructure, operations, and cluster programming within your innovation district.
Innovation District Real Estate Pre-Development Services
Master Plan Guidance
We identify planning and design partners that will optimize your district’s physical attributes and ensure the most effective innovation planning principles are used.
Building Program Design
We help owners establish the right ratio of public, private and non-profit tenants to fully realize the dynamism and energy of innovation spaces.
Tenant Curation
We help find like-minded tenants who will contribute to the collective vision and energy of your district.

“As an investor, there’s no better group to have in my corner than Waymaker. Their ability to grasp long-range technology trends, along with their uncanny ability to read individual talent makes picking market winners that much easier.”
- Blair Garrou, Managing Director, Mercury Fund