ISTC Press Releases – 2014
ILLINOIS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COALITION ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF CORPORATE-STARTUP CHALLENGE WITH NATIONAL AND GLOBAL REACH
December 3, 2014 | Download Full Release
The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), a not-for-profit organization focused on growing the state’s innovation economy, today announced the third cohort of corporate participants in its Corporate-Startup Challenge, a program designed to link the state’s emerging companies with large corporations through a highly curated matchmaking process. This includes Danfoss, a Danish manufacturer with a facility in Loves Park; Microsoft Corporation; and Illinois-based State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
Illinois Science and Technology Institute’s R&D STEM Learning Exchange Announces Expanded Schools and Industry Partners for 2014-15 School Year
October 14, 2014 | Download Full Release
The Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI) today announced the expansion of the Research & Development STEM Learning Exchange, a public-private partnership to better connect students to careers in STEM fields. The initiative will scale to reach more than 1,000 students at 28 Illinois high schools and involve more than 50 cross-sector partners in its second year of implementation. Through a number of programs, the R&D STEM Learning Exchange promotes inquiry-based learning, builds critical thinking skills and provides perspective on R&D applications within Illinois industry to cultivate a stronger talent pipeline. .
Illinois Science & Technology Coalition Releases First-of-its-Kind Science & Technology Roadmap
September 16, 2014 | Download Full Release
The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), a not-for-profit organization focused on growing the state’s innovation economy, today released its first Illinois Science & Technology Roadmap (S&T Roadmap), an innovative data-driven report that identifies research and innovation strengths positioned to drive competitiveness and business growth in key industries across the state. The announcement was made at the 18th Annual National SSTI (formerly the State Science & Technology Institute) Conference in Chicago, where ISTC was also recognized with SSTI’s Most Promising TBED (technology-based economic development) Initiative Award for the Illinois Corporate-Startup Challenge.
Governor Quinn Announces Successful Results of Inaugural Illinois Corporate-Startup Challenge
June 23, 2014 | Download Full Release
Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by CEOs from some of Illinois’ top companies and rising startups to announce the successful results of the inaugural “Corporate-Startup Challenge” program. The pilot program, conceived by the Illinois Innovation Council and managed by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), has resulted in 18 startups actively pursuing partnerships with leading Illinois corporations. The partnerships vary by company, but include investments, contracts and mentorships. These partnerships with leading corporations are critical to the long-term success of the startups. The initiative is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to drive innovation and create jobs throughout Illinois.
ILLINOIS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE’S R&D STEM LEARNING EXCHANGE HOSTS SHOWCASE FOR REAL-WORLD STEM CHALLENGES
May 19, 2014 | Download Full Release
The Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI) today brought together students and teachers with industry, higher education and other key stakeholders at the Museum of Science and Industry to celebrate the conclusion of the R&D STEM Learning Exchange Challenge’s pilot year. More than 400 students and 20 teachers in 12 Illinois high schools partnered with experts at Motorola Solutions, Baxter International, The Greatest Good (TGG Group), IIT’s Institute for Food Safety and Health, and Northrop Grumman throughout the semester to solve complex real-world, problem-based STEM Challenges.
GOVERNOR PAT QUINN TODAY PROCLAIMS APRIL 3 AS “INNOVATION DAY” IN ILLINOIS
Thursday, April 3, 2014 | Download Full Release
Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed April 3 as “Innovation Day” in Illinois during a Leadership Breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion that was attended by innovative companies and organizations from across the state. The breakfast and events throughout the day were organized by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) and focused on ways to strengthen the state’s four pillars of innovation: technology dynamism, talent, investment and capital and business climate.
ILLINOIS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE RECEIVES AT&T CONTRIBUTION
March 12, 2014 | Download Full Release
The Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI) today announced it has received $50,000 from AT&T. Through this contribution, the ISTI will implement and grow its Research and Development (R&D) STEM Learning Exchange, a public-private collaboration which offers learning tools to students in Illinois high schools that will increase student-driven research and R&D career exploration. Specifically, the contribution will support the R&D STEM Learning Exchange Challenges initiative, which connects high school students with external corporate and university partners to solve complex, real-world problems. Students will work in teams on a variety of topics, including food safety, aerospace and defense, environmental sustainability and behavioral economics.