- Published: 21 April 2022
CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced that a new defense innovation unit coming to Chicago. It will be co-located at the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), which sits in the 5th District.
“Technology is always evolving, and it’s important that our Department of Defense is well connected and properly equipped, so that they can handle any threats that may arise,” Van Pelt said. “This initiative ensures security in our military while bringing opportunities to the Westside.”
The new satellite office aims to identify new solutions, companies and talent across the Midwest to solve pressing national security challenges and offer companies a faster path to Department of Defense contracts. Efforts will be coordinated in the region to reduce entry barriers, while increasing access to better technology solutions for the nation’s service members.
DIU will share the space with representatives from the National Security Innovation Network, the Army’s 75th Innovation Command, the Army Research Laboratory, members of the Illinois National Guard, and other DoD innovation groups.
“Chicago remains a hub for up and coming ventures that make our state a leader across technological sectors,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy that the district I represent will benefit from this fresh, innovative addition to our community.”
This office builds on more than $142 million in investments to launch new facilities for the DPI and Illinois Innovation Network, created to accelerate job creation and economic growth through groundbreaking education, research and discovery. The funding is made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois Capital program, with state DPI investments matched dollar for dollar through university, private and philanthropic funding sources.
DIU has four other technology ecosystems offices located in Mountain View, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C. Chicago is part of DIU’s broader regional strategy to extend DoD’s reach as a customer and economic development partner to companies, labs, accelerators, academia and investors nationwide.
