Innovation Organization Strengthening Influence
An Indianapolis-based organization focused on driving innovation among government, defense, research and industrial stakeholders is expanding its reach with a new consortium and collaboration space. The Indiana Innovation Institute has launched the Indiana Consortium for Advanced Technology Transition, as well as office, conference and warehousing space in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park in Odon that could become a makerspace. IN3 Chief Executive Officer General Gene Renuart said INCATT and the new consortium are further indications of the rapid growth of the year-old organization launched from a more than $16 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
The organization changed its name from the Applied Research Institute in April and announced its first contract — a $2.3 million agreement with Purdue University on trusted microelectronics — at the same time.
"We’re seeing this capability to connect both research and industry with the (U.S. Department of Defense) and bring those folks together that is having some positive results," Renuart said. "I really couldn’t be more pleased with where we’ve come in this past year and I think this next year is going to accelerate even further."
INCATT’s focus will involve issues related to the national semiconductor supply chain’s reliability and security, hypersonic weapon and counter-defensive system development and the ongoing battle for superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum. Renuart adds the consortium and the space are both part of a mission to boost economic development opportunities statewide , especially in the Indiana Uplands region in the southwest central portion of the state.
IN3 Chief Executive Officer General Gene Renuart said INCATT and the new consortium are further indications of the rapid growth of the year-old organization.