TechAmerica Commends Governor Quinn on Illinois Innovation Network and Startup Illinois Initiatives

CHICAGO, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced the launch of two synergistic initiatives, the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) and Startup Illinois. As a result, Illinois becomes the first state in the Union to launch a state specific initiative in conjunction with Startup America. Both programs will work in unison to support entrepreneurship and innovation in Illinois by leveraging resources at the state and national level.

"Innovation is the key to being competitive in the global marketplace, which is why we must do everything we can to help our businesses develop new and innovative ideas and technologies," said Governor Quinn. "Given our commitment to fostering innovation and helping businesses grow, it is only fitting that Startup America Partnership chose Illinois as its first Startup region."

The Governor's newly-established Illinois Innovation Council has allowed both public and private sector leaders to work together on initiatives to enhance Illinois' ecosystem and startup formation opportunities. The Illinois Innovation Network is a new program created through the Council to provide an open platform for companies, service providers, academia, research institutions and community leaders to connect and share best practices as well as resources to support and accelerate Illinois' growth.

"Illinois has a strong community of innovators and entrepreneurs," said Warren Ribley, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. "The Illinois Innovation Network is an important strategic priority for our agency and the state in support of promoting and driving economic growth. We're thrilled to see the broad engagement of local and national business and community leaders to align public and private resources to this effort."

Earlier this year, the Obama Administration launched Startup America, a new initiative in partnership with private foundations and leading high-tech businesses to "celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation." Today, Governor Quinn and Mr. Scott Case, CEO, Startup America Partnership, announced that Illinois is joining in the national effort to promote high tech entrepreneurship by connecting the Illinois Innovation Network with Startup Illinois. This new component of Startup America will help Illinois based affiliates and entrepreneurs leverage technology, content and tools to access national resources and celebrate the success of the Illinois entrepreneurial community at the local and national level.  

"TechAmerica applauds Governor Quinn, the Obama Administration and Startup America for making innovation and entrepreneurship a key focus for growing our state and national economy," said T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman, CEO, VASCO Data Security International, Inc., Chair of TechAmerica Midwest, and member of the Illinois Innovation Council. "TechAmerica is fully committed to supporting these initiatives to help drive growth for our industry and local economy."

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.

Contact:
Anne Caliguiri Savoie at 703.284.5305 or [email protected]
Ed Longanecker at 630.282.4332 or [email protected]

SOURCE TechAmerica