About Us

Empowering Communities with Data and Engagement

At Polco, we believe that strong communities start with informed decision-making and meaningful civic engagement. Our mission is to empower local governments and organizations by providing cutting-edge technology that connects them with their residents, ensuring that every voice is heard and every decision is backed by reliable data.

Our Story

Polco was founded by former Air Force officers who recognized a critical gap in how local governments and organizations gathered and utilized data to inform policy decisions. With backgrounds in artificial intelligence, economics, and data science, they set out to create a platform that would bridge this gap, offering leaders the tools they need to understand and respond to their communities effectively.

Dr. Nick Mastronardi, Polco’s co-founder and CEO, brings over 20 years of experience in AI, economics, and leadership. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he double-majored in Honors Math and Physics, Nick later earned a PhD in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as an Economics professor at the Air Force Academy and worked on economic policy at the Pentagon and the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. His passion for using data to improve decision-making led him to transition from public service to the tech sector, where he worked at Amazon before founding Polco.

Alex Pedersen, Polco’s co-founder and EVP of Strategy, shares a deep commitment to leveraging technology for the public good. He studied Operations Research at the Air Force Academy and in his military career. His career path led him to Google, where he worked on advanced AI and machine learning initiatives. Recognizing the potential of AI to transform public sector decision-making, he partnered with Nick to build Polco, with the goal of equipping government leaders with actionable insights to drive better policy outcomes.

Today, Polco serves over 400 U.S. local governments, eight states, and numerous international organizations, helping leaders make informed, transparent, and community-driven decisions. The company continues to evolve, integrating AI-powered solutions to enhance community engagement and data analysis, ensuring that local governments have the tools they need to navigate complex challenges.

GPAL (Government Performance Action & Learning)

GPAL provides national benchmark data across multiple domains, helping communities measure their performance against comparable cities and regions. This acquisition enables Polco to offer even deeper insights into public sector performance, allowing leaders to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Balancing Act from Polco

Balancing Act from Polco, is a suite of interactive budget simulation tools that help local governments engage residents in the budgeting process. By allowing residents to explore financial trade-offs and provide input, Balancing Act fosters greater transparency and trust in public finance decisions

National Research Center (NRC)

As a pioneer in community survey research, NRC has helped thousands of local governments measure resident satisfaction and improve public services. Through this acquisition, Polco integrates rigorous survey methodology with AI-powered analysis, delivering unparalleled insights into community needs and priorities.

ICMA (International City/County Management Association)

Polco works closely with ICMA to support local government leaders in their mission to improve public service and community engagement.

National League of Cities (NLC)

As an endorsed platform, Polco collaborates with NLC to provide city leaders with valuable data and insights that shape policy and governance.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Polco partners with GFOA to enhance budgeting transparency through tools like Balancing Act, helping finance professionals make more informed fiscal decisions.

State and Regional Associations

Polco has built strong relationships with various state and regional municipal leagues, offering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of local governments.

Academic & Research Institutions

We work with universities and research centers to advance civic technology, ensuring that our methodologies remain at the forefront of data science and community engagement.

Benchmark Surveys

Get comprehensive insights by comparing your community's performance with national standards.

Resident Engagement

Foster constructive civic conversation and active participation through accessible digital platforms.

Polco Platform Graphic - AI Data Analyst

Polco AI

Maximize your impact with insights and guidance from Polco’s advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities

Simulation Tools

Model potential outcomes of policy decisions with residents to see their impact before implementation.

Track Dashboards

Visualize key data points and trends to understand your community's needs and priorities.

Holistic Understanding

We combine resident feedback with performance metrics, providing a complete picture of community dynamics.

Actionable Data

From identifying community needs to applying for grants, our data seamlessly integrates into decision-making processes.

Trusted by Communities Nationwide

With over 1,500 communities using Polco, we are a reliable partner in civic engagement and data analysis.

Transparency and Trust

Our platform fosters open communication between governments and residents, strengthening civic trust and accountability.