IU student and faculty innovation fuels economic development

Innovation has always been central to Indiana University's core mission. Through the IU 2030 Strategic Plan, new ideas and discoveries from IU faculty and students will increasingly fuel Indiana’s economic prosperity and contribute to a thriving culture of entrepreneurship.

These efforts take a major step forward today with the appointment of Julie Heath, the architect of the state of Indiana’s first entrepreneurship ecosystem strategy, as the inaugural executive director of the IU Innovates Hub. The initiative will launch this fall and serve as a focal point for university efforts to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation.

Julie comes to IU from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), where she helped Indiana secure unprecedented levels of resources for startup founders who are creating high-wage jobs and bringing new investment to the state. In her new role, she will help equip IU innovators and entrepreneurs for success, while linking them with key industry partners.

Crucially, IU Innovates will build on faculty excellence in research, including initiatives like a new $5 million research collaboration between the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, NSWC Crane, and the IEDC. The joint initiative will contribute to new knowledge and talent pipelines in the microelectronics and semiconductor sector, addressing critical defense and space industry needs.

IU is also expanding its suite of micro-credentials, helping Hoosier employees acquire knowledge and skills to quickly respond to current and emerging workforce opportunities. Kelley School of Business Executive Education offers a variety of digital badge and professional certificate programs including cybersecurity, inclusive leadership and project management. Thousands of business professionals have participated in these programs.

Through these and other efforts, IU is poised to make a major economic impact, by leveraging our educational and research programs to support the needs of employers across our state and by turning the best ideas into the companies and jobs of the future.

Pamela Whitten

President
Indiana University