IN: IEDC Continues 5E Focus, Forms New Partnership with Applied Research Institute

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) today announced a new partnership with the Applied Research Institute (ARI), also known as the Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3), to become a trusted partner on innovation strategy and federal programs execution. Under this new partnership, new leadership and an expanded mission, ARI aims to accelerate the IEDC’s goal of facilitating conditions for higher wage opportunities rooted in a diverse, resilient and future-focused economy.
 
Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers also announced that effective Dec. 22, 2022, Dave Roberts, IEDC executive vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation, will transition into his new role as the CEO of ARI.
 
“The market continues to evolve and innovate,” said Sec. Chambers. “Indiana’s enhanced focus and partnership with ARI will support Indiana’s unprecedented momentum in securing innovative investments supporting higher wage careers. Dave Roberts is uniquely qualified to lead that effort, as he understands the foundation we have built and the assets we possess to become the premier destination for transformative innovators. Partnering with ARI enables us to play economic offense working on disruptive opportunities that will fundamentally alter the trajectory of our state’s economy for decades to come.”
 
ARI will continue to operate as a 501(c)(3) with statewide focus as it pursues catalytic federal funding opportunities, promotes industry-led, public-private partnerships and secures commitments from businesses and Indiana’s major research universities to invest in and around the WestGate Technology Park. ARI’s priority areas for federal funding opportunities include securing funding for non-coastal regional tech hubs, attracting semiconductor manufacturing and training opportunities, and helping establish a landmark hub for clean hydrogen fuel. These lines of effort will augment ARI’s existing federal contracts, which provide credible past performance history on which future partners can rely.
 
“With all that Indiana has going for it, we are ideally positioned to be at the forefront of securing federal funding that will continue to create an economic landscape that is the envy of the Midwest,” said Roberts. “ARI’s partnership with IEDC and the state will enable us to leverage Indiana’s assets and help fulfill Sec. Chambers’ vision to build the economy we want by creatively promoting growth in sectors that make up the economy of the future.”
 
Moving forward, ARI will operate under a new professional services agreement with the IEDC, in a similar capacity as Elevate Ventures in that both organizations operate in close alignment with the IEDC, but both are independent entities. Elevate Ventures will continue to focus on developing Indiana’s entrepreneurship culture, and ARI will focus on innovation initiatives which position Indiana to move quickly in pursuit and capture of federal opportunities. This includes coordination of efforts such as the Battery Innovation Center, Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center and 5G lab.
 
IEDC Vice President of Technology Engagement, Brooke Pyne, will join Roberts at ARI. The new ARI board of directors will include Sec. Chambers, Thompson Distribution Company Inc. CEO John Thompson, Indiana University President Dr. Pamela Whitten, Purdue University President-elect Dr. Mung Chiang, and Regional Opportunity Initiatives President and CEO Tina Peterson.