Plug and Play to Establish AI Center of Excellence in San Jose, Boosting Innovation and Startups

Plug and Play to Launch AI Center of Excellence in San Jose

Plug and Play, a prominent innovation platform known for its expansive network exceeding 60 locations worldwide, is set to launch its first AI Center of Excellence in San Jose on April 2, 2025. This groundbreaking initiative aims to accelerate the digital transformation within the realm of artificial intelligence.

The San Jose center is particularly significant as it represents a collaborative effort with various local organizations, including the Knight Foundation, PGE, the City of San Jose, Glean, Turing, KPMG LLP, San Jose State University, and U.S. Bank. Together, they intend to foster an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and academic institutions, focusing on AI innovation, education, and economic growth.

Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in various industries. He stated, "AI is changing the landscape of business. Our AI Center of Excellence will empower startups to be at the forefront of this revolution. We are dedicated to creating environments that stimulate AI innovation and enable rapid business scaling through our extensive global network."

To celebrate the launch, an exclusive invite-only event will bring together industry leaders to explore the implications of AI, the latest trends, and collaborative opportunities. This gathering will showcase insights from executives, investors, and policymakers, highlighting how Plug and Play's AI Centers of Excellence can propel innovation and stimulate economic growth within the AI sector.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed enthusiasm about establishing the AI Center of Excellence downtown, underscoring the city’s position in producing the highest number of AI patents per capita and generating new AI-related job opportunities. He noted that the presence of San Jose State University further enhances the area’s potential as a burgeoning hub for future innovators.

Building on its A+ track record for innovation and patents, this initiative not only aims to cultivate startups and attract talent but also aims to position San Jose at the forefront of the tech industry. Allan Madoc, San Jose Program Director at Knight Foundation, stated, "Investing in the AI Center of Excellence will cultivate the next wave of tech entrepreneurs, particularly in downtown areas, creating jobs and enabling economic mobility, all while driving AI innovation."

As AI continues to reshape industries globally, there is an urgent demand for innovative solutions that foster growth and increase efficiency. The Plug and Play initiative looks to establish strategic hubs that link local innovation with worldwide opportunities, promoting a reputation for regional leadership in AI.

Teresa Alvarado, Vice President for PGE's South Bay and Central Coast region, remarked, "This partnership and the establishment of an AI Center of Excellence will bolster the next generation of innovation and leverage talent to meet future energy transition requirements."

Following the launch in San Jose, Plug and Play has plans to extend its AI Centers of Excellence to additional cities around the globe, with Seattle already announced as the subsequent location. This ongoing expansion is expected to further stimulate innovation and facilitate international collaboration within the AI space.

Startup applications for the inaugural program are now open, and interested parties can find more information regarding the San Jose AI Center of Excellence and application details on their official website: Plug and Play San Jose.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play stands as a leading innovation platform, bringing together startups, corporations, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and governmental agencies. Based in Silicon Valley, the organization maintains a presence in more than 60 locations across five continents. Their services encompass corporate innovation programs, startup acceleration initiatives, and in-house venture capital to drive advancements across multiple industries, successfully investing in notable companies like Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For further information, visit Plug and Play.