; or (E) a consortium of any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D). (2) Regional innovation initiative The term regional innovation initiative means a public or nonprofit activity or program implemented in a specific geographic area to address issues of greatest need in the local innovation systems— (A) to increase the success of innovation-driven startups; (B) to strengthen the competitiveness of existing businesses through new product innovation; (C) to improve the pace of market readiness and overall commercialization of innovation