Catalyst
The Catalyst newsletter is a monthly publication that spotlights components of the state’s innovation ecosystem. Each month, we feature a column written by a leader from the tech community, highlight innovation news in Illinois, or offer perspective on current issues in the innovation community. Catalyst is the best way to stay up-to-date on all things science and technology in Illinois.
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Optimizing Data to Enhance University Partnerships for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Optimizing Data to Enhance University Partnerships for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Illinois boasts a diverse and dynamic innovation ecosystem that spans industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing....
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Navigating the Growing World of Life Science Innovation in Illinois
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Navigating the Growing World of Life Science Innovation in Illinois The life science industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S., and Illinois is playing a major role in this growth. The state is home to a thriving ecosystem of...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: School is Out, But STEM is IN! Keeping Students Engaged with STEM During the Summer
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: School is Out, But STEM is IN! Keeping Students Engaged with STEM During the Summer School may be out for the summer but our ISTC Education team is keeping students engaged with exciting opportunities to gain skills and confidence in STEM...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: PRIDE EDITION – Supporting LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: PRIDE EDITION - Supporting LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs According to a 2005 study from Syracuse University, being LGBTQIA+ adversely affects a founder’s ability to engage suppliers, obtain licenses, market their businesses, hire employees, and...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Fighting Our Environmental Crisis with Fermentation
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Fighting Our Environmental Crisis with Fermentation According to Boston Consulting Group, dollar for dollar, investing in protein and dairy alternatives does far more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stave off climate change, than green...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Fueling Student Excitement in the Future of STEM
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Fueling Student Excitement in the Future of STEM ISTC’s Education programs are dedicated to providing STEM opportunities to students by getting them hands-on experiences to better introduce them and expose them to not only STEM pathways that...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Working towards equity in tech for women and non-binary founders
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Working Towards Equity for Women and Non-Binary Founders In the fall of 2020, Pivotal Ventures, Melinda Gates’s investment and incubation company, in partnership with Break Through Tech (formerly WiTNY, founded at Cornell Tech) and SecondMuse,...
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Making Space and Pushing Policy to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurship
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Making Space and Pushing Policy to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship and business creation is fundamental to a healthy economy. Immigrants in particular play an important role in creating jobs as they are more likely to start...
Catalyst Conversations: Building Bridges: Exploring how Government and Tech can Grow Forward Together
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: Building Bridges: Exploring how Government and Tech can Grow Forward Together From one of the Midwest’s largest cryptocurrency mining facilities to a Chicago-based Bitcoin ATM operator, Illinois is becoming fertile ground for the fast-growing...
Catalyst Conversations: Solution for healthcare equity in Chicago and what’s possible across the state of Illinois
CATALYST CONVERSATIONS: SOLUTION FOR HEALTHCARE EQUITY IN CHICAGO AND WHAT'S POSSIBLE ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS The pandemic has shone a bright light on persistent, systemic inequities in this country. Unequal access to economic opportunities, education, resources,...
Catalyst Conversations: Sustained Action for Gender Equity and the Planet
SUSTAINED ACTION FOR GENDER EQUITY AND THE PLANET March is Women’s History Month, a time to remember, celebrate and empower women. Historically, it has been celebrated to shine the light on women’s contributions to the world and highlight the work that remains to be...
Catalyst Conversations: 2021 Reflections and looking forward
 2021 Reflections and Looking Forward History will remember 2021 as another year in unprecedented times. We have all gone through numerous changes, faced new challenges, and experienced great growth in all facets of life. In this edition of Catalyst, we ask some of...
Catalyst Conversations: The Power of Mentorship In Action
 THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP IN ACTION On November 18, 2021, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, in partnership with The Darkest Horse, hosted the first-ever Mentor Summit -- a virtual opportunity for leaders to collaborate, examine, and reflect on best...
Celebrating Women Within Innovation
Celebrating Women Within Innovation Last week, Friday (11/19/21) was Women’s Entrepreneurship Day--a celebration of the countless women who are so vital to the advancement of innovation and economic growth around the world. In this month’s Catalyst, we highlight a few...
Catalyst Conversations: DePaul’s Unique Approach to Entrepreneurship
 Q&A WITH Maija Renko Professor and Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship, DePaul University During the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship has been critical for companies both large and small. In this issue of Catalyst Conversations, we chat with Maija...
Catalyst Conversations: Kaplan Institute Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Leaders
Q&A WITH MARYAM SALEH Executive Director of the Kaplan Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, Illinois Institute of Technology In this issue of Catalyst, we sit down with Maryam Saleh, Executive Director of the Kaplan Institute for Innovation...
Support Illinois Innovation Vouchers
How leveraging the R&D resources of colleges and universities can boost our recovery. By Matthew Bragg, Director, ISTC Research and development (R&D) is the lifeblood of innovation. It’s the process by which businesses create new products and services to grow...
Catalyst Conversations: Innovation at Southern Illinois University
Illinois’ universities are regional economic hubs—attracting talent, conducting research and development activity, and fostering entrepreneurship that leads to the creation of strong jobs. In this Catalyst Conversations, we hear from Robert Patino, JD, Director of...