Jim Leonard knew the need back in the 1990's. He'd worked for years with the Manufacturing Extensions of the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) in the Department of Commerce.
He knew that Colorado hosted a wide range of highly capable manufacturers that often struggled to gain business. And he knew that Colorado companies often sent work out of state simply because they didn't know about instate resources.
Leonard mentioned the problem to Gary Lundquist as they collaborated on the Colorado Innovation Summits in 2003 and 2004. Lundquist developed a preliminary vision for the "Colorado Innovation Clearinghouse" to facilitate what is now called "Instate OutsourcingTM."
Today, "InnoSearch Colorado" is based on several key lessons.
•· Innovation encompasses a wide range of businesses. If manufacturers missed opportunities, then what about engineers, law firms, and marketers? Indeed, over 100 innovator disciplines could benefit. Colorado hosts over 10,000 "innovator" businesses, including perhaps 2,000 non-agricultural manufacturers.
•· Innovation goes beyond industry. Colorado can boast of a rich innovation infrastructure: Perhaps 150 relevant associations, 40 universities and colleges, 10 federal laboratories, 12 business incubators, dozens of media, and relevant federal, state, and local government entities. Within universities and federal lab are dozens more divisions, departments, schools, labs, and technology-transfer offices contributing to innovation.
•· Industry plus infrastructure looks a lot like a statewide Community of Innovation. If this community became more integrated and collaborative, it could have powerful positive impact on the Colorado economy. Community is a perception that can be catalyzed through increasing interactions between elements.
Instate OutsourcingTM. Instate collaborations.
Instate alliances. Instate economic health.
•· The job of InnoSearch would be to...
Work diligently to provide a broad cross section of contractor offering a wide range of services, products, and other support for innovation in Colorado. From R&D to market launch, from initial business vision through growth to acquisitions as a mature company. Across industries, technical disciplines, and geographies. From for-profit Providers to the full spectrum of innovation infrastructure.
At InnoSearch, we look forward to helping Colorado meet its full potential as a source of profitable innovation.
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