MainStreet Local is the flagship project at Thompson Foundry. It explores how emerging technologies can help independent businesses become more visible in an increasingly AI-driven world.
The project investigates new approaches to organizing local business data, improving product discoverability, and connecting consumers with nearby businesses through modern search, semantic infrastructure, and intelligent systems.
Independent businesses are essential to strong local economies, yet many remain difficult to discover online despite offering valuable products and services.
Improving local discoverability is not just a technology challenge. It is an economic opportunity.
Helping consumers find and support nearby businesses can strengthen local economies, support jobs, and keep more value within the communities where it is generated.
Current areas of exploration include:
Artificial Intelligence
Local Commerce & Economic Systems
Semantic Infrastructure
Software Development
Systems Thinking
Emerging Technologies
Thompson Foundry is an evolving body of work.
Every project begins with research, develops through experimentation, and advances through continuous refinement.
The goal is not simply to build technology, but to create practical solutions, publish meaningful research, and collaborate with others who want to solve real-world problems.
Thompson Foundry welcomes collaboration with researchers, engineers, creators, and partners interested in developing meaningful technology.