CHICAGO—To build his state’s economy, Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn recently launched the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). The program grants state resources to entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create more jobs.
The IIN represents the first initiative of Quinn’s Illinois Innovation Council—a partnership between public and private sectors created earlier this year to accelerate innovative economic development and job creation efforts within the state.
Illinois will also be the first state to join in the national effort to promote high-tech businesses by connecting IIN with Startup Illinois, a component of the Startup America Partnership recently announced by President Obama.
“Innovation is the key to being competitive in the global marketplace, which is why we must do everything we can to help our businesses develop new and innovative ideas and technologies,” said Quinn last week at a presentation in downtown Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. “Given our commitment to fostering innovation and helping businesses grow, it is only fitting that Startup America chose Illinois as its first Startup region.”
Brad Keywell will chair the Illinois Innovation Council. He is co-founder and chairman of the popular daily coupon site, Groupon. Other council members are university leaders and business executives from a variety of backgrounds.
“There is nothing more important for Illinois’s economic future than creating an environment throughout the state that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship on a daily basis,” said Keywell in a statement. “Gov. Quinn and I both believe that Illinois has all of the assets and attributes to continue thriving on the world stage, but we must keep pushing the envelope in both the public and private sector to make this a reality.”
The council said it aims to promote, develop, and attract innovation-driven enterprises and individuals to the state, as well as develop policies to attract and retain entrepreneurs and innovative researchers, and help start up enterprises flourish.
The IIN represents the first initiative of Quinn’s Illinois Innovation Council—a partnership between public and private sectors created earlier this year to accelerate innovative economic development and job creation efforts within the state.
Illinois will also be the first state to join in the national effort to promote high-tech businesses by connecting IIN with Startup Illinois, a component of the Startup America Partnership recently announced by President Obama.
“Innovation is the key to being competitive in the global marketplace, which is why we must do everything we can to help our businesses develop new and innovative ideas and technologies,” said Quinn last week at a presentation in downtown Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. “Given our commitment to fostering innovation and helping businesses grow, it is only fitting that Startup America chose Illinois as its first Startup region.”
Brad Keywell will chair the Illinois Innovation Council. He is co-founder and chairman of the popular daily coupon site, Groupon. Other council members are university leaders and business executives from a variety of backgrounds.
“There is nothing more important for Illinois’s economic future than creating an environment throughout the state that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship on a daily basis,” said Keywell in a statement. “Gov. Quinn and I both believe that Illinois has all of the assets and attributes to continue thriving on the world stage, but we must keep pushing the envelope in both the public and private sector to make this a reality.”
The council said it aims to promote, develop, and attract innovation-driven enterprises and individuals to the state, as well as develop policies to attract and retain entrepreneurs and innovative researchers, and help start up enterprises flourish.
Friends Read Free