ISTC in the News

Here’s where all that Illinois’ tech talent goes

Posted December 4, 2017 | Source: Crain’s Chicago Business

Illinois computer science graduates are in demand among the big technology companies. Unfortunately, it means those grads end up living and working outside of the state to get hired. According to LinkedIn data, the company with the fewest Illinois computer science grads working within their home state is Seattle-based Amazon. Ninety-eight percent of them are based outside the Land of Lincoln. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Discover, headquartered in Riverwoods. All of its computer-science hires from Illinois schools work within the state.

Illinois is Second Largest Producer of Computer Science Graduates

Posted November 21, 2017 | Source: Daily Illini

The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition showed that the state of Illinois is the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the nation, awarding nearly 10 percent of the country’s computer science degrees. Vikram Adve, professor and interim head of the Department of Computer Science, said the number of computer science applicants at the University in fall 2017 was about 5,100, amounting to 13 percent of all incoming applications.

Illinois now awards 10% of U.S. computer science degrees, but need more STEM jobs

Posted November 16, 2017 | Source: Venture Beat

As Chicago’s innovation scene continues to grow, tech employers should have plenty of fresh talent to choose from, according to a new report, which shows the number of local STEM graduates, and computer science grads specifically, is skyrocketing.The report, published today by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and LinkedIn, shows that Illinois is now the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the country, awarding nearly 10 percent of the nation’s computer science degrees.

Illinois Now Second Largest Producer of Computer Science Graduates in the U.S.

Posted November 15, 2017 | Source: Politico

In 2016, Illinois institutions produced more than 40,000 STEM degrees, representing 31.8 percent of all of the state’s graduates, outpacing the national average, which is about 28 percent. Among those STEM degrees earned last year, 3,300 were earned in computer science. “With an increased focus on cloud computing, big data, IoT, and mobile computing, the importance of computer science talent in the economy continues to grow,” according to the report.

Illinois Now Second Largest Producer of Computer Science Graduates in the U.S.

Posted November 15, 2017 | Source: Chicago Business Journal

Illinois Now Second Largest Producer of Computer Science Graduates in the U.S.

Posted November 14, 2017 | Source: ChicagoInno

As Chicago’s innovation scene continues to grow, tech employers should have plenty of fresh talent to choose from, according to the new STEM Talent Index, which shows the number of local STEM graduates, and computer science grads specifically, is skyrocketing.The report, published today by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and LinkedIn, shows that Illinois is now the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the country, awarding nearly 10 percent of the nation’s computer science degrees. And from 2012 to 2016, Illinois rose from 43rd to ninth when ranked among states who had the highest number of STEM field graduates overall.

Big Names Tapped to Lead Amazon Effort

Posted September 27, 2017 | Source: Crain’s Chicago Business

Illinois Science & Technology Coalition/Institute CEO Mark Harris was tapped to be apart of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s unprecedented 600+ leadership committee to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to Chicago. Amazon’s new headquarters is projected to generate 50,000 new jobs paying $100,000 for 10-15 years. Competing with more than 50 cities, Amazon will cease accepting proposals Oct. 16-19. Amazon’s final decision for “HQ2” will be announced early first or second quarter of 2018.

Could Chicago’s Logistics Industry Boost Its Bid for the Amazon HQ?

Posted September 12, 2017 | Source: Chicago Magazine

Crain’s John Pletz ran some of the numbers on our workforce, and shows that Chicago has a good case: We are one of only four metros that pump out 10,000 tech grads every year, with the fifth-biggest tech-labor market in the country (behind the Bay Area, D.C., New York, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and just ahead of Seattle). But you could even push it further than that: According to the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition, 2,500 people graduated from its universities with computer-science degrees in 2015, the second-most in the country, despite being the fifth-largest state, with a high percentage of those graduates earning master’s degrees.

‘We love the Dreamers’: Trump close to decision on future of Obama program

Posted September 1, 2017 | Source: The Guardian

Zuckerberg and Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, were two of the leading signatories, saying of Dreamers: “With them, we grow and create jobs. They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage.” Other companies signing the letter include Google; Uber; Foursquare; GoFundMe; Lyft; Tumblr; and dozens of smaller companies and groups, such as Tradesy; the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition; and progressive law firms.

Illinois lost ground in R&D race

Posted August 1, 2017 | Source: Crain’s Chicago Business

Illinois is among the leaders in overall research spending, ranking eighth in the nation. But it’s not keeping up with its peers. The state’s R&D spending rose 0.2 percent annually between 2010 and 2014, the most recent data available, compared with 4 percent growth in the U.S. Worse, corporate R&D spending—a source of strength for a state with about three dozen Fortune 500 companies—rose just 0.3 percent a year, compared with a national average of 5.1 percent, according to a report from the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.

People on the Move

Posted July 17, 2017 | Source: Crain’s Chicago Business

People on the Move

Shelley Stern Grach, Director of Civic Engagement at Microsoft, was named chairwoman of the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and Institute. The ISTC is a member-driven, non-profit that measures, connects and enriches the state’s innovation economy. Its affiliated Institute delivers STEM-education programming that connects companies with classrooms.

For businesses, end of state budget impasse is ‘missed opportunity’ without relief

Posted July 7, 2017 | Source: Chicago Tribune

The new budget has some business-friendly provisions. Among them, it retroactively reinstates a research and development tax credit through Jan. 1, 2022. The state had a similar credit that ended in 2016. Manufacturers accounted for 60 percent of its use between 2010 and 2014, according to an analysis of state data by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, which counts firms such as Caterpillar, AbbVie and Archer Daniels Midland — plus labs and universities — among its members.

Mark Harris, president and CEO of the Chicago-based nonprofit, said investing in research and development drives companies’ growth and, as a result, can strengthen the regional and local economy. “Research and development is sort of the lifeblood of innovation,” he said. But putting that credit up for renewal every five years gives businesses and innovators another area of uncertainty, Harris’ organization has argued, especially when some of those businesses are planning 10 to 20 years out.

Letter to the Editor: Connecting STEM students to STEM careers

Posted May 24, 2017 | Source: Chicago Tribune

The Tribune’s editorial “Aurora’s formula for STEM success” illuminated one recipe for success in connecting industry and academic partners with local high schools. I want to offer one more. Businesses can offer students something more valuable than money: their problems.

B-N students given ‘freedom to learn’ with State Farm mentors

Posted May 21, 2017 | Source: Bloomington Pantagraph

A year of analyzing and creating through computer science has some Twin City high school students itching for more real-world projects in school.

#STEMChallenge Student Showcase Highlights Internet of Things

Posted May 17, 2017 | Source: Microsoft Chicago (Blog)

Microsoft has been partnering with the Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI) for three years on the STEM Challenge, along with our Early College STEM School, Lake View High School. This year, we added Corliss High School as a second Early College STEM School and invited Corliss to participate in the Challenge as well. Instead of being twice the work, it was twice the fun, as we engaged additional Microsoft volunteers to partner with the teachers and the students. Our Challenge this year was to have the have the students learn about the Internet of Things (IoT) and figure out how IoT can be used to address social change, and improve the lives of people in Chicago.

Nonprofit Brings Student Ideas to Some of Country’s Largest Companies

Posted May 2, 2017 | Source: NBC Chicago

Teenagers are creating ideas that could be considered innovation for the future. And thank to one Chicago nonprofit, their ideas are being brought to some of the largest companies in the country. Sabrina Santucci reports.

1,200 Illinois High School Students Get Cracking on Real World Tech Problems

Posted April 28, 2017 | Source: Chicago Inno

While problem-based learning is not a new concept, ISTI’s program is unique in the sense that the challenges presented to the students come directly from real problems faced by academia and industry. Students have access to mentors for feedback on research plans and prototypes, both via in-person check-ins as well as online engagement on an invitation-only Mentor Matching Engine platform. Close to two hundred students (selected from 1,200 who experienced the program) gathered at Motorola Mobility’s headquarters in the Merchandise Mart on Thursday to present their solutions in front of their peers, teachers and industry mentors.

Good Day Chicago: Illinois High School Students Innovate To Solve Industry Challenges

Posted April 27, 2017 | Source: Fox Broadcasting

STEM Challenge students from North Chicago Community High School, Chicago Vocational Career Academy and Decatur Public Schools were featured along with our President & CEO, Mark Harris.

N. Chicago students win first place in STEM challenge

Posted April 13, 2017 | Source: www.dailyherald.com

North Chicago Community High School students have been working closely with AbbVie Foundation to create STEM-based — science, technology, engineering and math — projects that could benefit people with cancer. The program is part of Illinois Science & Technology Institute’s STEM Challenge.

AbbVie Teams Up With North Chicago Community High School for Illinois Science & Technology Institute’s STEM Challenge

Posted April 27, 2017 | Source: www.makeitbetter.com

Utilizing shelter dogs to provide companionship and comfort for cancer patients. An education website for K-12 youth struggling with cancer, focused on helping them graduate. A mobile app that helps patients navigate their illness and informs family and friends of their daily struggles. These are just a few of the innovative ideas hatched by students from North Chicago Community High School (NCCHS) after working with mentors from AbbVie as part of the Illinois Science & Technology Institute’s (ISTI) STEM Challenge.

Bootstrapping in America: Mark Harris discusses the latest Index report

Posted March 15, 2017 | Source: www.tastytrade.com

Thank you to Kristi Ross and Tony Battista at TastyTrade for having us to discuss the latest issue of the Illinois Innovation Index.

Illinois universities see surge in startups

Posted March 13, 2017 | Source: www.fox32chicago.com

David Rabie, Mark Harris, Rebecca Sholiton and Ryan Shelton join Good Day Chicago to give us a firsthand look at why Illinois is a hotbed for startups.

Student Startup Boom

March 8, 2017 | Source: Chicago Inno

Illinois universities have been CRANKING out startups the past several years. And thanks to the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC), we now know exactly how many. Illinois universities produced 285 startups in 2016, which is up 95% from the previous year. From 2012 to 2016, Illinois universities produced more than 800 startups, which is up nearly 100% compared to 2009–2013, according to the ISTC’s annual report.

University startups surge as Illinois students start more companies, land more funding

March 8, 2017 | Source: www.chicagotribune.com

Despite a fall in recent venture capital activity on the national level, Illinois university startups have seen a rise in funding. That’s according to the annual Illinois Innovation Index report released Wednesday by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, primarily based on data self-reported by universities in the state.

Campus startup spinoff efforts paying off in Illinois; immigrants often lead the way

March 8, 2017 | Source: www.forbes.com

University efforts in Illinois to boost entrepreneurship and link big thinkers with seed cash and startup partners seem to be paying off. And immigrants are playing an outsize role in campus spinoffs. Those were two takeaways from the just-released Illinois Innovation Index, produced annually by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition.

Illinois universities nearly double startups

March 8, 2017 | Source: www.chicagobusiness.com

Illinois universities are cranking out a lot more startups. There were 285 companies started last year by students, faculty or staff at Illinois schools last year, up from about 150 in each of the previous two years, according to a report by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition. It’s an eye-popping figure. And it’s not clear how much the data reflect an explosion of startup output from universities and how much comes from better reporting.

Illinois universities produce 129 spinouts

March 8, 2017 | Source: Global University Venturing

A new report shows that Illinois institutions have generated 129 startup spinouts between 2012 and 2016.

The Opening Bell 3/7/17

March 7, 2017 | Source: WGN Radio

It’s clear that Illinois has made it’s impact on the international startup stage, and much of that is thanks to the state’s universities and colleges. Steve discussed the major increase of startups coming out of the state with Matt Bragg (Program Manager – Data & Policy at Illinois Science and Technological Coalition).