Partners in Economic Growth

The Importance of Partners and Stakeholders

The Innovation Institute views the process of identifying and securing support from key stakeholders as market testing and validation of a project concept. If key parties that would benefit from or have an interest in a proposed project are not willing to support and work on it, this may be an indication that the opportunity may not be valued or viable. It could also mean that the concept is poorly conceived.  But, if these stakeholders are willing to invest their time and resources in a project and make a commitment to implement the project, then they see the potential for real value.  The Innovation Institute has played an important role as a convener of critical stakeholders in specific industry clusters and with respect to pressing economic development issues or opportunities. 

Among our many important partners in the Innovation Economy, the Innovation Institute supports partners and clients who are undertaking research and commercialization projects. Two examples are the Centers for Excellence (COE).

• The Center for Excellence in Nanomanufacturing at UMass Lowell creates manufacturing processes that enable commercialization of nanotechnology products.
• The Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research at the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute conducts Interdisciplinary biomedical research on basic human biological functions and processes at the cellular level.