In October, he launched a contest called "Apps for Democracy" to encourage developers to create applications for the Web and cellphones to give District residents access to city data such as crime reports and pothole repair schedules.
"I expected to get maybe 10 entries, but we got 47 apps in 30 days," Kundra said. He said he spent $50,000 for the contest and prize money, and estimates he saved $2.6 million over what it would have cost to hire contract developers.
The article also quotes Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra. Chopra developed a similar "Venture Governmentalist" approach (which I wrote about in July), with the twist that Chopra solicits grant proposals from government employees and offices themselves.
Both Kundra and Chopra advise Barack Obama on tech issues -- which may itself provide a good hint as to what the president-elect might be looking for in his promised tech czar position.
And incidentally, both Kundra and Chopra will be speaking at GOVERNING's Outlook in the States and Localities conference next month.
