Ceremony to dedicate IU Innovation Center

Officials said they hope the new IU Innovation Center will be a place to give new ideas a chance.  

The $10 million facility, located at 2719 E. 10th St, will be dedicated today.  

The center will help life sciences, bio-science and information technology companies get started, said Tony Armstrong, president of the IU Research and Technology Corporation.

“IURTC will work closely with groups to commercialize their intellectual property,” Armstrong said.

IURTC will manage the 40,000 square foot space.

The center is the result of a 2006 task force led by IU chemistry professor Ted Widlanski. The group’s findings reinforced the need for a space to house and facilitate emerging businesses in science and technology.   

In his former roles as vice president of research and interim provost, current IU President Michael McRobbie was instrumental in supporting the task force and subsequent construction of the IU Innovation Center, Widlanski said.

Widlanski said the Bloomington campus lacked a place where faculty and individual researchers could conduct fieldwork in hope of turning their findings into a business venture.

The two-story building is equipped with wet-lab space for science research and additional space for technology and other research.

Armstrong said the companies developed at the center will contribute to the economic vitality of the University, the community and the state.

“The center provides a venue where the best ideas born inUniversity can be turned into tangible companies and products,” Widlanski said.

Senior associate university architect Bob Richardson served as the project manager for the center. He said construction was completed quickly. Ground was broken on November 2008 and construction was completed in August 2009.  

The center is also expected to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification for sustainability through the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition, Widlanski said the building was designed with the assumption that an expansion could take place.

Rebecca Carl, director of operations, planning and communications for the IU Office of Engagement said the Innovation Center will try to have an open house at a later date.  

Carl said she expects great things to come out of the center.

“Discovery and innovation will take place every day,” she said.