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Tech. Research. Talent.

DPI does three things: Tech Talent Development; Applied R&D; and Business Building.

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Tech Talent Development

We are preparing promising and diverse Illinoisans to step into lucrative and resilient tech jobs.

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Applied R&D

DPI is a place where companies, researchers and students can access world-renowned talent, advanced equipment and funding to turn their ideas into products and services with the potential to change lives.

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Business Building

We help grow companies with a potential that extends far beyond their base in Illinois.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are a core foundation of our programs — not an afterthought

In 2019, the U of I system’s computer science, computer engineering, and data science programs graduated 3,476 people. How many of these graduates do you think were students of color? Just 59, or 1.6%, were Black. And just 183, or 5%, were Hispanic.

We must do better. DPI’s tech talent development programs are going to help fix this.

Design

DPI will intentionally design programs to address key challenges & friction points that have historically disadvantaged underrepresented groups in tech.

Partner

DPI believes in collaboration, which is why we have a growing international network of partners.

Support

DPI will systematically support a learner’s journey with wraparound services to ensure success.

Build

Internally, DPI is building a representative workforce and will conduct business with a diverse supplier base.

Our Values

 

Innovation

Future forward

We look beyond the status quo. We foster creativity and experimentation to seek better solutions.

Inclusion

Equal access for all

We lead with diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Society thrives when everyone can pursue and realize their potential.

Collaboration

Together is better

Partnership is our middle name. Individually we cannot have all the answers. We go further, faster, together.

Agility

On point

We are nimble. We have the curiosity, expertise, muscle, and moves to assess, adapt, advance and catalyze progress.

Excellence

Aim high

We demand much of ourselves. We commit fully to quality, integrity, and accountability, and aim to consistently exceed expectations.

Impact

Significant outcomes

We insist on making a difference. We create tangible, positive, measurable outcomes for our stakeholders and community.

The 78

Chicago’s newest neighborhood

DPI is the anchor of a new neighborhood, in which 13 million square feet of office, retail, residential and hotel space has been mapped.

DPI’s facility:

  • Computational and engineering labs
  • Classrooms
  • Startup offices and labs
  • Meeting & event space
  • Public space
DPI Vision

What We’re Solving For

Illinois is a top producer nationally of computer science and data science graduates. Yet, the state still faces a significant shortage of talent needed for its economy to grow.

Just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 30,000 more entry-level job postings seeking technology workers than there are related graduates. This gap is exacerbated by Illinois’ ongoing loss of young talent, with almost half of university-bound high schoolers leaving the state and an additional net loss of 20,000 millennial workers each year.

We are in a global war for the best and the brightest; DPI is how Illinois wins. We are a coordinated effort by the state’s top research universities and Argonne National Laboratory to band together to develop, attract and retain talent.

With $230 million in taxpayer funding and an inflow of grants, DPI is becoming a hive of technology activity. Our efforts span from applied R&D, performed by academic researchers in Illinois and beyond and funded by corporations, to tech training programs for minority and disadvantaged students.

Talent Advantage

Illinois is second nationally in computer science graduates, third in MBA graduates, and fifth in data science graduates. Let’s keep them here.

Tech Talent Development

We are preparing promising and diverse Illinoisans to step into lucrative and resilient tech jobs. We are identifying these students in high school and staying with them through to their first job out of college. We also are upskilling current workers for in-demand jobs in data and analytics.

R&D Clusters

Some of our initial research clusters are tracing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 RNA) in Chicago’s waterways; developing new software and hardware to help companies operate machinery remotely; creating a new repository for data about the human brain; and training software engineers to build safer and more ethical algorithms.

Representation and Diversity

In 2019, the UofI system’s computer science, computer engineering and data science programs graduated 3,476 people, yet just 59, or 1.6%, were Black. We must do better.

Give to DPI

Help DPI create a stronger Illinois by preparing promising and diverse Illinoisans for lucrative and resilient tech jobs, by creating a place for our community to turn ideas into new products, and by growing businesses.

The DPI General Fund provides critical unrestricting funding that can be used where it is needed most to ensure that DPI’s impact continues to grow.

Give Now

Discover what’s new.

Recent announcements from the Discovery Partners Institute

 

Tech Apprenticeship Program is a Chicago Innovation Award finalist

Pritzker Tech Talent Labs’ Tech Apprenticeship program at DPI has been selected as one of the top 100 finalists for ...
DPI Articles

Illinois computer science programs are enrolling far more women

Computer science programs at Illinois colleges and universities are less white and male than they used to be, but they’...
CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS

Minority students underrepresented in computer science programs at Illinois colleges

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A series of three reports were conducted to get to the bottom of why enrollment of minority ...
WIFR23

We Have Buy-In & Support

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“. . . strengthening Illinois’ long-term economic vitality for generations to come.”

J.B. PritzkerGovernor of Illinois
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“Forming successful businesses out of science is very complicated and it comes with a lot of challenges. We want to address these challenges on an international scale, taking advantage of the strengths of the Chicago area, especially DPI.”

Arik Willner, Ph.D.Chief Technology Officer, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY in Hamburg, Germany

The Investment Starts Now

We can’t do this without you. Your breakthrough ideas can strengthen our economy.

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Partner with Us

Our R&D clusters, funded by corporations, governments and foundations, bring together top-tier researchers from Illinois and around the world.

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Learn with Us

Register for our education and certificate programs to arm yourself with skills that are in high-demand and career that’s resilient to downturns in the economy.

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Research with Us

Are you a faculty member or R&D leader with a new product that needs funding? We can make international connections and provide space for you to grow.

Ready to Get Involved?

Contact us to schedule a call.

DPI Vision - call to action