During the last NACIE meeting in December, Commerce Secretary John Bryson called on the council members to help develop policies that support the innovation needed to keep the U.S. competitive. He said, “Innovation and entrepreneurship fuel America’s economy. It’s what enables our businesses to create new products and services and generate good, well-paying jobs. That is my foremost priority as Secretary of Commerce. I want the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to help this administration develop policies that support the innovation we need to keep the U.S. competitive.”

That is a key goal of NACIE-to help innovators turn ideas into new products and businesses. These types of lab-to-market strategies are just what we need to spur economic growth and job creation. One step they have taken is to work with colleges and universities to advance innovation and entrepreneurship, support university technology transfer efforts and facilitate collaboration between universities and industry. Over 135 university presidents have endorsed a pledge letter committing to bolster efforts to accelerate the commercialization of research. In addition, NACIE members are focused on important economic issues, such as access to capital, better ways of linking regional and national economic development efforts, and methods of facilitating university-industry collaboration that support the commercialization of technology.

I commend the three NACIE co-chairs-CEO of Revolution and Co-Founder of AOL Steve Case; Chairman of Sparta Group, A123 Systems, Sycamore Networks Desh Deshpande; and, University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman-for their leadership, commitment, and hard work. The recommendations of the council members will be valuable as we implement strategies to ensure we build it here and sell it everywhere to create an economy built to last.