Results

TechVision21 has a proven track record of crafting and implementing cutting edge innovation policies to maximize technology’s contribution to economic growth. Our results include:

• Helping industry, government and university partners develop and implement a strategy and programs to reduce economic distress in Flint, Michigan and preserve 30,000 jobs, capitalizing on the auto industry’s planned transition from the internal combustion engine to fuel cell technology.
  
  To avoid potential economic devastation resulting from this disruptive technology and to seize the opportunities of the emerging hydrogen economy, we helped the Flint partners develop a strategy to attract automotive and fuel cell companies to Flint, and retain existing companies through public and private investments in fuel cell R&D, infrastructure, and workforce skills development.
  
  The strategy has created much excitement, and the lead academic institution is well on its way to receiving federal grant funding, developing curriculum, recruiting partners, and starting construction of a new $35 million fuel cell R&D, testing and evaluation center.
  
  
• Helping Microsoft Corporation create and execute a successful conference program exploring the role of e-government in promoting economic growth and job creation. Participants included senior government officials from more than 50 countries, who shared their challenges, solutions and best practices.
  
  
• Helping a national non-profit organization representing corporate and university chief executives develop successful unsolicited grant proposal to promote regional technology-based economic development.
  
  
• A TechVision21 team member helped a large mid-Atlantic state benchmark its economic performance and innovation assets—including federal, state and private R&D investment; education system and work force skills; level of venture capital investment; and ability to attract and grow new companies—against more than 10 competitor states to determine areas where the state’s programs can be improved, and to serve as the foundation for new policies and programs.