A new on-campus makerspace and startup incubator in Uptown Normal will be Illinois State University’s contributions to a newly funded Illinois Innovation Network, officials said Wednesday.
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday the state is releasing $500 million in capital funding for the University of Illinois’ Discovery Partners Institute and Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). ISU is one of several hubs within the IIN.
The technology- and education-based startup incubator will be called the ISU/Bloomington-Normal Community Startup Incubator (CSI). It will be located at the new Trail East project in Uptown, where financing issues have delayed construction. The incubator was previously announced.
The Community Makerspace and Educational Center is earlier in its development, ISU spokesperson Eric Jome said Wednesday. An on-campus location has yet to be decided, he said.
“The…
