IN3 Is Creating A Hub of national security innovation

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STEVE KELLY, PRESIDENT & CEO OF INDIANA INNOVATION INSTITUTE (IN3)

IN3 (Indiana Innovation Institute), which I am proud to lead, works in partnership with academia, industry and government to create a hub of national security that helps to solve critical defense priorities. With our focus on the Indiana Uplands region, we have built partnerships across the state, Midwest, and throughout the country in order to deliver on that mission. Through these efforts we are building a robust ecosystem of economic growth that is speeding new investment, advancing partnerships, and growing jobs and the talent pool in Indiana.

Like the organizations you lead, we are focused: on our mission and in technical areas in which we have depth and expertise. Also like you, we must be – and are – tuned into opportunities where we can positively impact the defense sector and at the same time help advance Governor Holcomb’s mission to triple defense spending in our state by 2025.

While the numbers continue to grow daily, we are now partnering with more than 200 academic, industry and government organizations, focusing on five critical areas: hypersonics, cyber-physical systems, trusted microelectronics, artificial intelligence and 5G. One might rightly ask the question, “why did IN3 decide to focus its work in these technical areas”? In short, it is because Indiana has deep and unique capabilities in each. Additionally, and of equal importance, those areas are seen by our national security clients as critical, and the defense community is robustly funding research, development, and acquisition to address their need. IN3 is committed to bringing partners along with us in this journey toward discovery and action. Our ultimate goal is to work with our partners and stakeholders in helping develop the tools our warfighters need to maintain technological superiority.

A critical piece in reaching these goals is through our work with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) as the Partnership Intermediary for the NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge. As some of you may know, NSWC Crane was one of the original six Tech Bridge sites in the country when the program was unveiled early last fall and importantly, the only site not located on one of our coasts. NavalX Tech Bridge is all about the Navy finding ways to harness the innovations so prevalent in private businesses and academia to better serve and protect the country. They know, just as we do, that they must tap into the creativity and ingenuity already available in the United States in the civilian sector, particularly within small and non-traditional businesses.

Our Midwest Tech Bridge activities have included tech demonstrations, small business events, innovation challenges, technology challenges, hackathons and more. Our Initial focus in these first few months has been on working with – and showcasing – Hoosier businesses, but word has spread and we are getting participation from across the Midwest and other parts of the country. The levels of participation we’re seeing is a clear demonstration of the value industry sees in Tech Bridge, primarily as a way to find opportunities for the Navy, as well as the broader Department of Defense. What is equally rewarding is that these events are also providing a way for industry and academic institutions to collaborate. To the extent that the Navy foresaw building a ‘network of networks,’ their vision has proved to be a wild success and we are delighted to be a part of that effort.

IN3 is excited to be part of the growth of the defense sector in Indiana and play a role in solving some of our critical national defense priorities . We hope you’ll join us in this effort and will work alongside us as partners.
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STEVE KELLY BIO

Stephen (Steve) E. Kelly is the President and CEO of the Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3). Prior to joining IN3 and most recently, Kelly served as a principal for Sugar River Technology Associates in Burlington, Vt. He spent more than 25 years in various roles at Battelle, a research and development organization in Columbus, Ohio. While at Battelle, he served as corporate vice president and president of Battelle Contract Research, where he oversaw engineering, science and support facilities serving national security, health, infrastructure, energy and environmental markets. He also served as senior vice president and general manager of Battelle’s National Security Division.

During his time leading the Battelle Contract Research organization, Kelly led an $800M division of 3,400 staff members operating state-of-the-art engineering, science, and support facilities that provide comprehensive services to national security, health, infrastructure, energy, and environment markets. He owned P&L responsibility for global operations. He guided the entire science, technology and services chain, from analysis to applied research through deployment and sustainment of capabilities.

Kelly is a veteran of the U.S. Army. As an active duty U.S. Army Chemical Officer, he held leadership and staff roles in active duty operational, training and technical units. As a U.S. Army Reserve Officer, Kelly served in command, staff and inspector general positions.

He serves on a number of boards, including Benchmark Space Systems, The University of Vermont SPARK-VT, and the University of Delaware Cybersecurity Initiative.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.