The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is charged with enhancing Illinois' economic competitiveness by providing technical and financial assistance to businesses, local governments, workers and families. As the state's lead economic development agency, DCEO works to capitalize on Illinois' strengths as a center of transportation, manufacturing and technology development. The agency actively promotes the state's business-friendly policies, highly productive workers, and entrepreneurial spirit -- attributes that helped Illinois win Site Selection magazine's Governor's Cup as the top state in the nation for business development. top

Argonne National Laboratory is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's oldest and largest national laboratories for science and engineering research.  Argonne applies a unique mix of world-class science, engineering and user facilities to deliver innovative research and technologies. top

BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,200 members worldwide. BIO was created in 1993 through the merger of the Association of Biotechnology Companies and the Industrial Biotechnology Association. The goal was for the entire industry-from young startups to established companies-to speak with one voice for the industry on such issues as FDA reform, reimbursement policy, national healthcare policy, regulation of biotech crops, and small business and economic development issues. top

The Center applies its business modeling frameworks and methodologies in the process of business research and experimentation. Utilization of the Center's analysis frameworks and the COL-LABZÓ facilitation approach are necessary for neutral facilitation of collaboration in industries such as Healthcare and Life Sciences with complex delivery systems and often misaligned interests among participants.  Additionally, the Center's dedication to research and not any other commercial interests ensures its independence, neutrality and effectiveness as a cross-sector and cross-company facilitator. top

Founded in 1904, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business assistance and economic development organization. We are dedicated to helping area businesses grow as well as promoting the economic development of the region. top

iBIO's mission is to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of the world's top life sciences centers: a great place to do business, and a great place to grow new technology ventures.  iBIO advocates for sound public policy, delivers education and training programs, and improves our ability to create, attract, and retain businesses. top

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting university with more than 7,500 students in engineering, sciences, architecture, psychology, design, humanities, business and law. IIT's interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum is designed to advance knowledge through research and scholarship, to cultivate invention improving the human condition, and to prepare students from throughout the world for a life of professional achievement, service to society, and individual fulfillment. Visit www.iit.edu. top

Motorola is a global communications leader powered by a passion to invent and an unceasing commitment to advancing the way the world connects.

For more than 80 years, our communication solutions have allowed people, businesses and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Learn more from our corporate overview. top

The National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) is the only public entity in the world that conducts research, validation and commercial testing of products and technologies on behalf of academia, industry, Government and trade associations.  The NCERC is unique in that it is the only facility in the world to house the following, all under one roof: Analytical Laboratory, Fermentation Laboratory, Pilot Scale Ethanol Production Process, Workforce Training Program. top

Northern Illinois University is among the nation's premier regional public universities.   Located in one of the most dynamic regions of the country, NIU is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with a diverse and international student body of more than 25,000.

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Research thrives at Northwestern University. At Northwestern, and often with partners at Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and local universities, interdisciplinary teams work to solve society's problems and facilitate clinical and commercial use of their innovations.  The interdisciplinary culture already exists throughout Northwestern University. More than 90 school-based centers and 20 University centers support interdisciplinary research on Northwestern's two lakeshore campuses. top

TechAmerica is the largest and strongest voice and resource for technology in the United States and is the industry's leading trade association.  TechAmerica Midwest serves the high-tech business interests of companies located in the region by providing access to opportunities for networking, business development, education, advocacy, and through delivering a portfolio of products and services. top

The University of Chicago brings together the brightest minds to tackle the most challenging problems facing humanity. One of the world's great intellectual communities and centers of learning, UChicago has achieved this distinction through faculty scholarship, the training of graduate students, and an undergraduate education that emphasizes critical thinking and broad interdisciplinary exposure to a full range of intellectual discovery. UChicago manages, supports, and engages with two major federal research centers where cutting-edge science is always underway: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

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With an enrollment of over 25,000 students, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest university in the Chicago area. Located just west of Chicago's Loop, UIC is a vital part of the educational, technological and cultural fabric of the city. It is also one of the country's top research universities and over the years has attracted an impressive amount of award-winning faculty. According to U.S. News & World Report, UIC is one of the most diverse and affordable universities in the nation. top

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a place of excellence, innovation, and tradition. More than 2,000 faculty members lead 41,000 students in a process of discovery and learning in 16 colleges and schools and more than 80 research centers and labs. Faculty and students pursue projects with other top scholars from around the world and across disciplines. Campus resources include the world's largest public university library, outstanding centers for the arts, and many world-class research facilities. top

World Business Chicago (WBC) is Chicago's not-for-profit economic development corporation, chaired by Mayor Richard M. Daley and directed by a Board made up of some of the region's leading business executives. The office fosters Chicago's global position as a thriving business location by coordinating the city's business retention and attraction efforts, raising its profile as a prime business location and serving as a resource for companies.  The staff navigates the site selection process for businesses by providing economic and industry data, site location assistance, state and local incentive information, and bringing together key parties in the public and private sectors to spur and accelerate economic growth. top