Startup Ecosystem Awards in Paris highlights excellence in growth and innovation for Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
In December 2024, Governor JB Pritzker accepted the prestigious SES ‘Startup Ecosystems’ award in the special category ‘Outstanding Investment Boost’ on behalf of the State of Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in Paris, France.
The annual SES Awards presented by the globally recognized organizations ‘Mind the Bridge’ and ‘International Chamber of Commerce’, celebrating local innovation ecosystems all over the world. The Startup Ecosystem Star Award has only been awarded 35 times by now. The Startup Ecosystem Star Award shows that Illinois is a global leader in supporting startups and building a competitive economy.
“Across the world, governments, businesses, and NGOs are focusing more of their attention on building environments of innovation that can uplift emerging startups, light the fires of creativity, and harness human potential to not just drive prosperity – but also find solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is proud to be a recognized part of this global startup community. With each step we grow closer to conquering our greatest challenges and in the process, we create a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous world.”
Furthermore, the Prairie State was the sole U.S. entity to receive five more favorable results across all award categories, including “Outstanding Investment Boost” and having been recognized also in these categories:
- Best-in-class Startup Programs: for training and supporting homegrown startups and helping them scale internationally(outbound), as well as fueling ecosystems of innovation by attracting startups (inbound)
- Outstanding Investment Boost: for strengthening ecosystems of innovation through co-investments, matching programs, FDI attraction, and international exposure
- Top Talent & Research: for nurturing the top entrepreneurial talent supporting the creation of IP and tech transfer
- Exceptional Industry Support: for boosting open innovation practices of local companies and industrial clusters through training, internationalization, and immersion programs in the most advanced global innovation hubs
“Illinois is a global leader in innovation,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through making strategic state investments in innovative founders, emerging technologies, our well-educated workforce, and by creating the spaces where innovation can thrive, DCEO is proud to play a role in creating programs and funding projects that place Illinois and its innovation ecosystem on a global stage.”
© Office of the Governor JB Pritzker / DCEO
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