Question 1

What is KINnect, and what is TrustStone?

Accepted Answer

KINnect is KIN's community and program platform, powered by TrustStone.KIN uses it to operate programs, keep a continuing record of participation, and help people in the community make useful connections with permission.TrustStone is the technology company that builds the platform. KIN runs the community and its programs and decides how KINnect is used.

Question 2

Why is KIN doing this, and what do I get out of it?

Accepted Answer

Programs end. Useful relationships should not have to.For example, a founder who participates in the 262 Founder Pitch should not have to start from zero if they later work with a mentor, participate in office hours, or join another KIN program.KINnect allows participation, useful introductions, and relevant information to carry forward so people can more easily move from one opportunity to the next.It also gives KIN a clearer picture of what is working, where people need help, and what capabilities the community may need next.

Question 3

Who can see my information?

Accepted Answer

Access is based on role, purpose, and permission.KIN administrators can see the information they need to operate programs. Mentors, founders, judges, sponsors, partners, and other participants do not automatically receive access to the same information.KINnect is not a public directory.Sharing contact information, sharing feedback, and allowing a photograph to be used are separate choices rather than one blanket consent.

Question 4

How do connections work?

Accepted Answer

KINnect helps people request and offer connections. It does not automatically give out your contact information.Contact information is shared only after two things happen:1. The person requesting the connection chooses what contact information they are willing to share.2. You or your team accepts the connection.There is no automatic path around that process.If you decline, the other person receives a neutral response. They are not given your contact information or a reason for the decline, and declining does not affect your standing in a KIN program.

Question 5

Does KINnect score or rank people?

Accepted Answer

No.KINnect does not give a person or business an overall score, ranking, or grade.When a KIN program includes scoring, such as a pitch competition, judges may score a specific pitch using the rubric KIN selected for that program.That score belongs to that program activity. It does not become a general score attached to the founder or company.Audience participation is separate from judging. Audience feedback or an Audience Choice activity does not alter the official judges' results.

Question 6

Does KINnect use AI, and is AI making decisions about me?

Accepted Answer

KINnect can use automation and AI to help KIN staff prepare information, such as drafting messages, summarizing information, or identifying people whose stated expertise may be relevant to a need.Decisions are made by people.Approving participants, making consequential program decisions, releasing feedback, or sharing contact information remains under human control.AI does not assign participants an overall score or ranking, and an automated suggestion is not itself the deciding reason someone receives or does not receive an opportunity.TrustStone does not use identifiable KIN participant information to train outside AI models.

Question 7

Is my information sold or visible to other TrustStone communities?

Accepted Answer

TrustStone does not sell participant data.KIN's identifiable participant and program records are not placed into a common participant directory that other TrustStone communities can access.TrustStone may learn from de-identified, aggregate patterns about how programs and connections work so the platform can improve across deployments. That learning is pattern-level rather than the sharing of individual participant records.KIN retains control of its identifiable community and program information.Sponsors receive program reporting in aggregate. Sponsorship itself does not grant access to individual participant records.

Question 8

I scanned a QR code at a KIN event. Do I have an account now?

Accepted Answer

No.Participating through an event QR code creates an event participation record. It does not automatically make you a KINnect member or add you to KIN's member rosters.If KIN later invites you to participate more broadly in KINnect, that is a separate step.Audience feedback is separate from official judging.If event photo participation is offered, photos are reviewed before use and are not automatically published.

Question 9

Is KINnect finished?

Accepted Answer

KINnect is being introduced as a pilot during the 262 Founder Pitch competition.Some functions may appear as waiting, not yet active, or available later.KIN and TrustStone will activate and refine capabilities as the pilot progresses.

Question 10

Can I see my information, correct it, or stop participating?

Accepted Answer

Participants can maintain information associated with their own profile. Information imported from applications or entered as part of official KIN program activity remains identified as program information.If something is incorrect, you can use the Feedback button inside KINnect or contact info@truststone.io so it can be reviewed and corrected.You can also ask to stop optional communications.Program records may remain part of KIN's operating history after participation ends. KIN is finalizing its retention and deletion policies for the pilot, and requests regarding those records will be handled by a person rather than automatically.

Question 11

Who should I contact with a question or if I need help?

Accepted Answer

If you are signed in to KINnect, use the Feedback button in the lower-right corner to ask a question, report a problem, or provide feedback.You can also contact TrustStone directly at info@truststone.io.TrustStone is providing participant support during the KINnect pilot.If the question concerns a KIN program or requires action from KIN, TrustStone will route it to the appropriate KIN team member.

Question 12

Why is the KIN happening now?

Accepted Answer

It’s time to showcase what Kenosha can do when we come together as a community. When the AMC/Chrysler plant closed in 2010, 107-acres were left vacant in the heart of the City of Kenosha, and became an eyesore that is now a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Kenosha is in a season primed for transition. While Chrysler’s departure provided the land that sparked the vision, recent unrest in Kenosha demonstrated the need for reinvestment and transformation. Now is the time to double down on economic empowerment, community engagement and cultural diversity, and to support innovation in and through Kenosha's neighborhoods to foster resiliency and sustainability.

Question 13

What will be located at the KIN? What will the KIN include?

Accepted Answer

Including 20-acres of public green space, the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood will consist of innovation-focused office, medical, educational, commercial, residential and recreational space. While the vision for future development and investment continues to be defined in the coming weeks, months and years in partnership with neighbors, residents and businesses, initial progress has been made to create the framework of the KIN. A handful of anchor developments within the KIN comprise its framework, including the KIN Innovation Center and the relocation of LakeView Technology Academy. Construction on these projects will begin in the spring of 2023 and will be completed by 2025. More information can be found here.

Question 14

Has the community / surrounding neighborhoods had a voice in this process?

Accepted Answer

After a year-long process of meetings with small stakeholder groups, public meetings, and online surveys to garner input from residents, business owners, institutions, and community leaders, work to define what the KIN will be has only just begun. We know the KIN will not be successful without deep and broad community engagement. Ultimately, there is a great opportunity - and need - to define, refine and broadcast the full vision of the KIN by hearing from and listening to neighbors and residents.

Question 15

When will the KIN be completed?

Accepted Answer

Work to define what the KIN will be has only just begun. While initial work will be underway in the Spring of 2023 to lay the foundation for initial development, in the coming years, we will continue to work with neighbors and the community to develop a vision for the KIN - and make it a reality.

Question 16

When will construction begin?

Accepted Answer

Phase 1 of KIN infrastructure, including 26th and 56th street road construction and work on the utilities and plaza will begin in early 2023. A number of initial projects will also begin in the spring of 2023 and be completed by 2025, including the development of the KIN Innovation Center, the renovation of the Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy, and the relocation and development of LakeView Technology Academy.

Question 17

How will the KIN serve the community?

Accepted Answer

Our ultimate goal is for the KIN to be respectful of and responsive to the unique needs of various and varied users. It is a place and an initiative marked by its commitment to economic empowerment, community engagement and cultural diversity. Through employment and training opportunities and commercial and residential development, the KIN supports innovation and reflects a neighborhood experience that is sustainable, resilient, safe and evolving.

Question 18

Is this project owned by the City?

Accepted Answer

The City of Kenosha has played a crucial role in the KIN effort to-date and will continue to own the underlying property. In December 2022, an independent, volunteer board of directors took on the KIN project and its future efforts. It is intended that the KIN board will ground lease portions of the property as development proceeds.

Question 19

How will the KIN impact my taxes / property?

Accepted Answer

Development within the KIN will increase the City’s tax base, benefitting the entire community. Our goal is to serve the neighborhoods surrounding the KIN - not displace their residents. We will work diligently to ensure the positive impact of the KIN is not offset by increased property taxes for neighbors.

Question 20

How is the KIN going to change Kenosha?

Accepted Answer

Our hope is that the KIN will be transformational, turning this highly desirable parcel of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha into a vibrant, community-based, mixed-use regional destination.

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