Supporting Local Innovation
Posted: October 26th, 2011 in Innovation, Chicago Innovation Awards
by Rishu Mandolia
One of last week’s Sun Times’ editorials discussed the constant need for Chicago to demonstrate its innovative spirit to attract entrepreneurs. The editorial, City needs to show it’s a magnet for innovation showcases the Chicago Innovation Awards as an example of an effort promoting innovation in Chicago, and highlights past winners and prominent Chicago starts-ups, Groupon and Turbo-Tap.
Innovation is not easy, and needs all the support it can get. Civic associations, such as the Chicago Innovation Awards, provide a way to encourage entrepreneurship in cities - with tangible results. For example, 27 of the winners have generated over $20 billion in revenue and 10,000 new jobs in the last decade. Unsurprisingly, the Chicago Innovation Awards has also inspired others outside Chicago. For example, the Indiana Innovation Awards was modeled after the Chicago Innovation Awards and shares similar goals to promote innovation in its region.
These efforts are great case studies in how cities can help create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Key to the Chicago Innovation Awards’ growth has been support by the City of Chicago and many other business associations in the city. The awards’ Board of Directors lists members from many prominent groups in Chicago – all working together to reach similar goals of economic growth in Chicago.
Disclaimer: Kuczmarski & Associates is the co-founder of the Chicago Innovation Awards. Established in 2002, the Chicago Innovation Awards promotes innovation and the creative spirit of Chicago by focusing attention on the most significant new products and services introduced in the region.
The 2011 awards ceremony is on Nov. 8th at the Harris Theater. If you are interested, you can attend for free by registering with the invite code 'celebration'.