David Gilford

David Gilford

Bridging the gap between private capital and public priorities.

David Gilford is the Managing Partner of PolicyAlpha, an advisory firm bridging the gap between private capital and public priorities. He specializes in the evolution of large-scale, capital-intensive assets, helping investors and public agencies navigate the friction between multi-decade physical infrastructure and rapid shifts in technology and regulations.

David also serves as a Senior Advisor to Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP), where he previously led Policy and Strategic Partnerships. Throughout his career, he has focused on aligning new technology with legacy systems, helping innovative companies and public agencies solve urban challenges through smarter investment and procurement.

His perspective is further informed by public sector leadership, including serving as a Vice President of the NYCEDC. He currently serves on the faculty of Columbia University teaching graduate courses on urban innovation and infrastructure finance.

Publications & Speaking

Yale Insights logoInfrastructure

Imagining Future-Ready Infrastructure

Yale Insights
P3 Bulletin logoInfrastructure

Why P3s are the gateway to the next generation of infrastructure

P3 Bulletin
Narratives Podcast logoInfrastructure

David Gilford on Infrastructure

Narratives Podcast
Infraday - video logoInfrastructure

Powering the Connected Travel Experience

Infraday - video
PRISM logoInfrastructure

David Gilford on the Future of Infrastructure

PRISM
BBCMag logoBroadband

Public-Private Partnerships Offer Digital Divide Solution

BBCMag
BBCMag logoBroadband

WISPs Have Opportunity to Enable Broadband in More Affordable MDUs

BBCMag
Light Reading Podcast logoBroadband

The Divide: David Gilford on local priorities for federal broadband funds

Light Reading Podcast
Community Wireless Coalition logoBroadband

Community-Centered Wireless Infrastructure Networks

Community Wireless Coalition
Benton Institute logoBroadband

National Efforts to Close the Digital Divide Require Local Empowerment

Benton Institute
HR&A logoBroadband

How Should the Biden-Harris Administration Close the Digital Divide?

HR&A
Crain's logoInfrastructure

Public-private partnerships can help the subway survive

Crain's
HR&A logoBroadband

Broadband from the Bottom Up: How Community Organizations Can Shape the Broadband Future

HR&A
Urban Design Forum logoSmart Cities

Delivering Neighborhood Retail in an Online World

Urban Design Forum
Intersection logoSmart Cities

Building a City Like a Smartphone

Intersection
Skift logoSmart Cities

From Place to Platform: The Rise of Smart Neighborhoods

Skift
Technical.ly logoSmart Cities

These 6 technologies are redefining the ‘smart city’

Technical.ly
Orlando Sentinel logoSmart Cities

Lake Nona enlists Google partner to help design shopping center

Orlando Sentinel
Video logoMisc

ArabNet Digital Summit Dubai - MAD Talks

Video
Video logoMisc

Bisnow/Dreamit UrbanTech Summit

Video