Technology and Innovation
Overview
Where Makers Thrive
The birthplace of groundbreaking inventions including the cell phone, the wireless remote and the first-ever web browser, Illinois is a place where ideas become patents, businesses and life-changing technologies.
The state’s history of innovation continues today thanks to its robust digital infrastructure, venture capital networks and continually growing talent base. In fact, Illinois is the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the country, awarding nearly 10 percent of the nation’s computer science degrees, and ranks fifth in the nation for access to capital, according to CNBC’s Best States for Business 2017.
Chicago alone accounted for $1.7 billion in startup funding in 2017—a fact that helped the city rank among the top 10 tech innovation hubs in the world in a survey of more than 800 tech leaders from KPMG.
Relevant News
Faber-Castell to Open Cosmetic Manufacturing Facility in Elgin
ELGIN – Governor Bruce Rauner and Faber-Castell Cosmetics announced the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in Illinois. The German company has leased a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Elgin that will be dedicated to producing cosmetic pencils for the North American market. The $9 million project will create 50 full-time jobs. The announcement comes after […]
Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson Named One of America’s Top 50 Economic Developers
Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2018 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation […]
How We Lure Business to Illinois – Crain’s Op Ed
Intersect Illinois President & CEO Mark Peterson explains how we bring global business to the state in this recent Crain’s Chicago Business op ed. When I was asked to come from New York to lead Intersect Illinois, the state’s privately funded economic development office, I wasn’t looking for a new job, but I saw […]
Intersect Illinois Strengthens Business Ties with Japan
Intersect Illinois recently helped welcome the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to the United States to Illinois on a visit that focused on advancing the state’s business partnerships with Japan. His Excellency Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan to the United States, joined the Honorable Naoki Ito, Consul-General of and Japan in Chicago and Japan External […]
DeKalb Co. Labor Market Supports Business Development
Abundant worker availability in the DeKalb County labor market has enabled Target and 3M staff significant expansions in DeKalb, IL.
