The work of the Innovation Institute fills gaps in this innovation ecosystem by focusing on four specific factors: leadership development, industry organization, policy and planning, and innovation infrastructure. Our primary goal is to help our partners organize and act strategically with the necessary tools in the pursuit of innovation opportunities.
The Innovation Institute model is based on the ‘industry cluster’ concept developed at Harvard Business School. By working to increase global competitiveness within key industry clusters of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy, the Innovation Institute also identifies opportunities to strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem. Collaborative efforts are designed and executed to support innovation in both new and traditional industries. This enables innovation to contribute to sector competitiveness and overall cluster growth.
We plan to continue advancing competitiveness in emerging sectors with high-growth potential such as robotics, big data, mobile communications, social media, digital interactive games, advanced manufacturing, communications & IT, education, and health IT.
This cluster development work is undertaken in tandem with a series of projects, programs, and initiatives statewide that are focused on addressing unmet needs in the Commonwealth’s ecosystem for innovation, such as:
- Talent pipeline
- Entrepreneur Development
- New Business Formation
The Innovation Institute was charged by the Patrick Administration and the Legislature to design and implement a program to invest $50 Million in university-based research facilities and infrastructure as part of Stage II Match Program. These funds will be used to support collaborative efforts by Massachusetts universities and other research institutions to pursue large-scale. These investments will strengthen and expand innovation capacity for the Commonwealth’s innovation ecosystem and provide fresh resources leading to regional economic development in new and existing industry sectors with high growth potential.