Forum on International Relations, Science and Technology
Why isn't NY a Capital of Innovation: How can it become one?

June 10, 2008

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The Levin Institute and the New York Academy of Sciences partnered to present the first Forum on International Relations, Science and Technology. Over 100 people came to hear Irving Wladawsky Berger, Chairman Emeritus, IBM Academy of Technology and Visiting Professor of Engineering Systems at MIT, Jerry MacArthur Hultin, President of Polytechnic University and James H. Singer, Partner and New York Office leader of A.T. Kearney. They discussed "Why isn't New York a Capital of Innovation: How Can it Become one?" While no one doubted that New York has most of the ingredients to be a powerhouse in this field, everyone felt much more needs to be done to put New York in the same league with such notorious Innovation machines as Silicon Valley and Boston's Route 128 corridor. Irving Wladawsky Berger gave his definition of Innovation as the ability to adapt to change...and survive.

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He said he didn't think New Yorks business community believes in technology the way the venture capital firms in other cities do. He described places like Silicon Valley as having the right combination of of rich people and nerds. He also said he sensed a vacuum of leadership in the area of promoting New York as a world class innovation center for its key industries - finance, healthcare, entertainment, media, retail, etc. Jerry Hultin made the point that New York has a structural deficit in its employment opportunities and that it currently is lacking a jobs engine for middle class workers. He did say that a small venture fund has been sent up at Polytechnic University with funds from the Mayor's office and the Partnership for NY as a first step. Jim Singer, whose company AT Kearney prepared a report for the Empire State Development Corporation on the state of the state's innovation economy commented that in many cases New York State views the business community as a source of revenue rather than a partner. However he said the state has one of the best educated work forces in the country and includes some 128 Nobel Prize winners. Bringing technology and the business community closer together is something we'd like to hear from you about. Visit our blog where your thoughts and comments will be welcome.

E-Briefing by New York Academy of Sciences