History

As Chair of the National Governors Association, Governor Napolitano brought together the nation’s governors, business, and academic leaders to develop new ways to propel our states and our country into the 21st century global economy.

They found the answer in innovation and solutions throughout our country.

From a policy perspective, an innovation agenda means: a focus on science, technology, engineering and math in K-12 schools; qualified talent and R&D programs developed at universities to drive local economies; and public-private partnerships to ensure government and private industry use every advantage to compete globally.

In everyday life, however, making innovation meaningful to Americans -- while absolutely crucial to our nation’s future economic success -- is challenging. That’s where the Innovation America Foundation (IAF), a new nonpartisan not-for-profit organization, comes in.

IAF is unique in its focus on state-led efforts on innovation, while maintaining a national platform and exposure.