Charter
The UNM Rainforest Forum (formerly the Economic Development Forum) was created by the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors to provide support to the University of New Mexico (UNM) on economic development matters. The Rainforest Forum membership consists of Rainforest Innovations Board Members and UNM & business community members with interest in increasing the economic impact of UNM on the New Mexico economy. The Rainforest Forum charge includes the following:
- Create a vision and plan for UNM and Rainforest Innovations’s role in the economic ecosystem in New Mexico (ecosystem includes leadership, stakeholders, frameworks, resources, infrastructure, activities, culture, and role models). It is envisioned that Rainforest Innovations and UNM will have an emphasis on entrepreneurial economic development, in cooperation with the Rainforest Innovations Joseph L. Cecchi VentureLab Advisory Group.
- Advise UNM and Rainforest Innovations regarding the implementation of the said plan.
- Collect and disseminate information about UNM and Rainforest Innovations activities related to economic development.
- Raise the visibility of UNM’s role in the economic ecosystem in New Mexico.
- Expansion of the economic ecosystem in New Mexico, making the state a more attractive location for companies and positive entrepreneurial climate for entrepreneurs and investors.
The benefits of Rainforest Forum are anticipated to include:
- Student recruiting interest in attending UNM and retention in New Mexico due to increased opportunities.
- Positive reflection and benefits, including opportunities for growth, for academic areas of excellence within UNM, based on increased entrepreneurial economic activity.
- Expansion of UNM’s visibility nationally with the attraction of capital from major venues.