Bricks & Breakthroughs: Building Illinois' Innovation Economy
Across Illinois, new places, ideas, and partnerships are shaping the state's next skyline. Join leaders from real estate, innovation, and research for a conversation on what comes next.
Illinois' future of innovation is already taking shape, and it isn't only made of steel and glass. It's being built in research labs, startup offices, and innovation districts across the state. The decisions being made right now about where innovation lives, who fuels it, and how it all connects will define Illinois' economy for the next decade.
So who's building it? Where is it happening? And what will it take for Illinois to lead?
Join the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) for the final ISTConversations panel of 2026, a candid conversation with the leaders shaping both sides of Illinois' future. One is building the physical spaces where innovation lives. One is building the economy that fills them. And ISTC connects the two. Together, they'll share what's working, what's holding Illinois back, and what needs to happen over the next five years.
The conversation will explore:
Why Illinois, why now: what makes this moment and this state uniquely positioned for innovation-driven growth
Place matters: how the places where innovation happens, from neighborhoods to research campuses to innovation hubs, shape whether ideas can take root and scale
Research has to move: what it takes to get discoveries out of the lab and into the market, and how programs like the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program help close that gap
Ecosystems have to connect: how universities, industry, real estate, capital, and government can work together as one system rather than in silos
The next five years: what Illinois needs to build next, in space, talent, and partnerships, to turn today's momentum into lasting economic growth
Featured Panelists:
Haven Allen, mHUB CEO & Co-Founder; Haven leads mHub, a premier hardtech incubator that drives innovation and manufacturing entrepreneurship to strengthen the U.S. economy. As a leading voice on Illinois' innovation economy, he brings an economic development lens, including service as a mayoral fellow and offers a big-picture view of what makes Illinois a place where innovation can grow.
Kyle Kamin, CBRE Vice Chair; Kyle has been instrumental in shaping the Chicago real estate landscape, with transformational deals like Google and Motorola Mobility. He brings a panoramic view of how neighborhoods and districts are built to attract companies, talent, and technology investment.
Kate Calabra, ISTC Chief Executive Officer; Kate spearheads initiatives to accelerate economic growth and foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem across Illinois, while positioning ISTC as the critical link between state government, key industries, and academic institutions. Under her leadership, ISTC connects university research, emerging sectors, and programs like the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to help turn Illinois' discoveries into economic growth.
Moderated by Helen Abad, ISTC Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Come for the insights. Stay for the community. Leave knowing what's next for Illinois and how you can be part of building it.
Seats are limited for this in-person conversation. Reserve yours today.
Event Agenda
4:30 PM: Doors open
Networking and refreshments
5:00 PM: Panel Event
6:00 PM: Networking
Build connections with inspired conversation
6:40 PM: Event concludes
Interested in sponsoring a future ISTC event?
Reach out to Helen Abad, ISTC Director of Partnerships, at helen@istcoalition.org.
About Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC)
Founded in 1989, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC) is Illinois' trusted convener and champion for innovation, data, and STEM education. We are a partner-driven nonprofit that delivers measurable statewide economic impact. ISTC positions Illinois as a national innovation leader through ecosystem programming and support, data insights, and non-partisan advocacy.