There are deeply-rooted structural issues that have caused this situation: the way government procures software is slow, there’s a bias against risk in government, and sometimes it’s just hard to get things done. But unless smart, creative, entrepreneurial people get excited about the opportunity to bring innovation and disruption the government IT space, there will never be a driving force for change.

That’s why it’s exciting to see leaders like Park and Van Roekel call on the Valley to step up. We’re starting to see it actually happen with the emergence of “civic startups” — and I think it’s just the beginning.