Chicago Innovation Blog

Blue Sky Innovation: 15 years of Chicago Innovation: Where the city stands today

by | Nov 1, 2016

One of the handiest words in the world of business is “innovation.” It is right up there with “new and improved” as a shorthand way of describing just about anything.

What a disservice to a word that has formed the underpinning of a massive shift in the entire business landscape. And no place is that shift more apparent — or significant — than to the economy of the Chicago region.

To explain what I mean, it is important first to scrape away the buzzword quality of the word “innovation” and get to the heart of a clear and simple definition: Find a need in the marketplace, and create a product or service to fulfill the need and capture its value. This can be economic value or social value.

Women Mentoring Women: Here’s Why It Matters

Women Mentoring Women: Here’s Why It Matters

"If it weren’t for women’s mentoring, I wouldn’t be where or who I am today." - former Chicago Innovation Women Mentoring Co-op mentee, Michelle Rivas, discusses the impact of having female mentors.