Developing the Pillars of the Indiana-Illinois Innovation Ecosystem

Session Overview

Leaders on this panel explored the key pillars of innovation driving the region’s innovation ecosystem. They highlighted both challenges and opportunities in Illinois, Indiana, and the Midwest to dramatically increase the region’s—and nation’s—innovation capacity.

Key Session Insights

Ms. Megan Clifford, Associate Laboratory Director at Argonne National Laboratory, kicked off the discussion by framing it around four key pillars of competitiveness: community engagement, science and technology, partnerships, and workforce development.

“Culture underpins the pillars of innovation. Culture in this case encompasses the environment that students expect in order to thrive, and that researchers need to do their best work. Culture is about shared values between partners.”
Ms. Megan Clifford
Associate Laboratory Director, Argonne National Laboratory

She made a particularly powerful case for engagement in her opening remarks, stating, “We need to engage communities at the start, not at the end of the innovation life cycle.” This message is important to the Council’s mission, too, so that all communities can share in the benefits of a growing economy, particularly as scientific and engineering advancements emerge from institutions like Argonne.

During the discussion, Dr. Meera Raja, Senior Vice President for Deep Tech at Chicago, also highlighted the significance of community engagement in place-based innovation, referencing the Innovate Illinois initiative, which aims to coordinate efforts around federal initiatives. According to Dr. Raja, innovation now requires collaboration

“When you think about regional place-based innovation, it is no longer about a single university or state or city; it is really about how we all come together to drive innovation and move the needle.”
Dr. Meera Raja
Senior Vice President, Deep Tech, P33 Chicago

Mr. Adam Berry, Vice President for Economic Development and Tech Policy at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, further built on Dr. Raja's points, stressing the importance of identifying a community's specific goals to establish effective collaborations. He cited the Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Midwest initiative, aimed at developing an electric vehicle network, and the READI initiative by the Indiana legislature as examples of successful outcomes of regional innovation strategies.

Dr. Brooke Beier, Senior Vice President of Purdue Research Foundation, discussed the importance of higher education and industry, sharing asuccessful case study of a radiopharmaceutical compound developed through Purdue's initiatives led to a significant acquisition by Novartis. Dr. Beier’s point was that Purdue's programs are directly aligned with industry needs, including a new master's program aimed at addressing workforce shortages in the pharmaceutical sector.

"Purdue University, the University of Illinois, and our other regional research institutions play pivotal roles. We are creating the workforce of the future."
Dr. Brooke Beier
Senior Vice President, Purdue Innovates, Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University

Mr. Adam Berry, Vice President for Economic Development and Tech Policy at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, discussed the importance of workforce development. One strategy that has led to Indiana’s success in attracting a remote workforce through incentive packages, with companies like Make My Move working closely with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to bring in nearly 1,000 remote workers over the past three years.

“The economic impact to a community from innovation, entrepreneurship, and new business creation is substantial. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Mr. Adam Berry
Vice President, Economic Development Tech Policy, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Berry also highlighted the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's efforts to support workforce development. He explained that the General Assembly passed a bill allowing local governments to identify surplus unused funds and transfer them into a workforce retention and recruitment fund. This initiative enables local governments to promote community marketing and offer cash incentives for talent attraction. According to Mr. Berry, the economic impact talented workers bring to a community far surpasses the investment required to bring them into that community.

Dr. Raja brought up the importance of workforce planning, especially in emerging fields like quantum technologies. Citing initiatives like the Illinois Quantum Microelectronics Park and the tech hubs program, she outlined strategies for creating inclusive pathways into these fields. “How can we think about where we are recruiting from and how people can get into those training programs?” she asked, making the case to broaden access to training and education.

Dr. Beier transitioned the discussion to the importance of commercializing innovations emerging from universities. She highlighted Purdue University's impressive track record, noting that the institution received around 450 invention disclosures last year and was ranked fourth in the United States for issued patents from universities. Her point focused on how with funding for federal science under pressure, a return on investment will be increasingly important to demonstrate to ensure continued revenue streams. To that end, Mr. Christopher Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures, noted the importance of a growth-stage fund in Indiana to retain local companies and support their expansion.

“Food, water and shelter. Those used to be the three things that were required for us to survive. There is a fourth prerequisite now— intellectual property.”
Mr. Christopher Day
CEO, Elevate Ventures

STEM education is a crucial component of future technological development. Mr. Day shared the anecdotal views of his children on STEM, noting they view STEM as reserved for "smart kids.” That mental barrier stands in the way of developing a workforce capable of meeting future technological demand.

Mr. Day summed up the sentiment shared by all on stage, that due to the tremendous institutions and talent and the culture of collaboration, the Indiana-Illinois Corridor has become an "innovation capital of the world."

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