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- 🎖 DARPA's $140m Bet on Illinois
68th Edition
✍🏽 This Week’s Lineup:
🎖 DARPA's Bet on Illinois
📊 Chart of the Week
🎁 36 Tech Events in Chicago
🔙 Previous Editions of the Driver’s Seat
Check out my latest Chicago history video on how we became the first open-source city in America:
Fun fact: Chicago was the first open-sourced city in America 📊🇺🇸
— Landon (@landon20s)
3:39 PM • Jul 19, 2024
🎖 DARPA's $140m Bet on Illinois
DARPA is partnering with Illinois to advance quantum research at the state’s new quantum campus, where quantum computing prototypes will be tested to enhance national security.
The Announcement
DARPA is investing up to $140m for a new quantum research initiative in Illinois, with the state matching this amount from the 2025 budget allocation.
Possible locations include the US Steel South Works site in South Chicago and a former Texaco refinery in Lockport.
Our quantum campus will feature a cryogenic facility essential for research and development.
Why Illinois is Already Winning at Quantum
Even before this announcement, our state stands out as a global leader in quantum:
Illinois leads the nation in federal funding for quantum projects. Over 45 cents of every federal dollar spent on quantum is happening in the state of Illinois.
Chicago ranks #3 for universities with quantum programs and #2 for quantum PhD completions.
Illinois ranks 2nd in quantum VC deals and is home to the Chicago Quantum Exchange, including Argonne and Fermi national labs, with one of the largest teams of quantum researchers globally.
The Impact
The quantum campus is projected to create thousands of deeply technical jobs.
The campus will connect academia, national labs, and private companies, accelerating innovation.
Extensive programs like internships, fellowships, and training will prepare the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers.
Between AI, biotech, robotics, and quantum, this is our chance to establish Illinois as the hub for deep tech.
📊 Chart of the Week
Illinois is one of the best states for EV owners:
The savings for EV owners in Illinois fall within the range of $8,000 to $10,000 over five years, which indicates substantial financial benefits compared to owning a gasoline vehicle.
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🎁 36 Tech Events in Chicago
TechChicago Week is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a chance to highlight our innovation economy and show why we’re bullish on Chicago.
Busy week ahead. Check out the 36 events happening in Chicago this week:
Monday
The First Class Documentary Screening
Hosted by CS4IL
Monday July 22
Pre-Seed Between the Coasts
Hosted by Drive Capital, Matchstick Ventures, and Cooley Chicago
Monday July 22
Fully committed
Tuesday
Intern Social
Hosted by P33
Tuesday July 23
Hosted by P33
Tuesday July 23
Responsible AI Executive Workshop
Hosted by Slalom Consulting
Tuesday July 23
AI Tinkerers #10
Hosted by Drive Capital and Wilson Sonsini
Tuesday July 23
Fully committed
Corporate Innovation Summit
Hosted by P33
Tuesday July 23
Sunrise Startup Series: Tech Chicago Edition
Hosted by Mercato and Silicon Valley Bank
Tuesday July 23
Early-Stage B2B Founders & Funders Breakfast at TechChicago Week
Hosted by LongJump
Tuesday July 23
Early-Stage B2B Founders & Funders Breakfast at TechChicago Week
Hosted by LongJump
Tuesday July 23
Campaign Security Summit: Protecting High-Risk Users
Hosted by Google
Tuesday July 23
PCs for People: Tech Center Tour
Hosted by PC4P
Tuesday July 23
Future of Commerce
Hosted by Englewood Reimagined
Tuesday July 23
The New Era of Customer Success
Hosted by CuSP + Update AI
Tuesday July 23
Gamifying Tech & Generational Marketing
Hosted by 8Bit Studios
Tuesday July 23
Wednesday
Capital Summit Day 2
Hosted by P33
Wednesday July 24
How AI is transforming Retail Experiences and Operations
Hosted by GoCharlie.ai
Wednesday July 24
Bringing The Base Blockchain Mainstream
Hosted by ETHChicago
Wednesday July 24
TechChicago Week Deep Tech Kickoff
Hosted by Drive Capital, Wilson Sonsini, and UChicago
Wednesday July 24
Fully committed
Female Founders Collective Chicago Tech Week Member Mingle
Hosted by FFC
Wednesday July 24
TCW x Pixquid 2.0 Happy Hour
Hosted by Pixquid
Wednesday July 24
Electric Boats and Sunset Sail
Hosted by Diaplo Ventures
Wednesday July 24
15 Minute Features - Tales from Chicago Leaders
Hosted by VisualFizz
Wednesday July 24
Thursday
Product Invitational Chicago
Hosted by ZoCo Design and Drive Capital
Thursday July 25
Innovate with AI: Transform Proprietary Data into Business Value with RAG
Hosted by Atomic Object
Thursday July 25
TechChicago Day 2024
Hosted by P33
Thursday July 25
Latinas in Tech Chicago Morning Cafecito
Hosted by LIT
Thursday July 25
Consumer Breakfast
Hosted by FurtherFaster Ventures
Thursday July 25
Chicago EdTech and Social Impact Happy Hour
Hosted by The EdTech Institute of Chicago
Thursday July 25
Women Founders & VCs
Hosted by Bluestein Ventures and Andrew Gunderman
Thursday July 25
Friday
Chicago Innovation Summit
Hosted by Dell for Startups
Friday July 26
LGBTQ+ Pride Happy Hour
Hosted by World Business Chicago
Friday July 26
Andrew Gunderman’s VCs & LPs ONLY
Hosted by Andrew Gunderman
Friday July 26
TechChicago Week Healthcare Innovation Breakfast Panel
Hosted by Architect Health, Wilson Sonsini, Drive Capital, Lightbank, and JPM
Friday July 26
Fully committed
How Women Invest: Female Founders, Funders, and Friends Networking Roundtables
Hosted by HWI
Friday July 26
Kadeya TechChicago Week Demo
Hosted by Kadeya
Friday July 26