Today's Entrepreneur is Ian Ross, CEO and Founder of OppSites, which empowers municipalities and professional planners to identify sites where increased economic opportunity exists, and broadcast that information to the investment community. OppSites allows Investors and Developers to find investment opportunities that may not be publicly listed, and learn about development priorities and incentives.

OppSites is one of the top 15 finalist to present at Splash Oakland on May 6-7. Be sure to support Ross and OppSites. Register here. 

Here's a look at Ross' entrepreneurial background.

American Planning Association (California Chapter) Award for economic revitalization and urban design - San Fernando Corridor Specific Plan; Policy framework for the revitalization of underutilized property along the city's three primary corridors.

We recognized that cities simply lack an efficient tool to communicate with prospective investors. e their goals

Fundrise, Ioby

We enjoy spending our days at the edge of the unknown, both in terms of product development and anticipating our client's needs. Everyday is like sailing into uncharted waters: we encounter new problems and devise new solutions accordingly. Of course, we also encounter unforeseen setbacks, and are learning to adapt to an ever changing bar menu.

Listen to everybody. Even if you disagree with the content, it's crucial to nderstand the thinking behind the opinion being expressed.

Delegate until it hurts.

Keep cool. 

Ian founded OppSites to empower cities to take an active role in revitalizing their communities.

The need for OppSites grew out of Ian's 15 years of experience providing urban design and economic revitalization strategies to dozens of California cities, and witnessing firsthand how many communities fail to achieve their goals simply because they lack an effective tool to communicate their priorities to prospective investors.

Ian is the Founding Principal of City Design Collective, and Oakland based urban design firm that provides strategies, policies, capital improvement plans, and  development regulations critical to the revitalization of downtowns, corridors, waterfronts, and mixed-use neighborhoods. Ian is an experienced public speaker and frequently leads educational public workshops, design studios, and charrettes.

Ian received his Masters degree in Urban Design from Cornell University, and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Rochester.