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About the IC² Institute

Innovation. Capital. Creativity.

Drawing was commissioned by IC² founder, George Kozmetsky, to illustrate the pace of change in the data-intensive Information Age.

Innovating Well-Being

Entrepreneurship, economic development and technological innovation remain at the core of what we do. Today, we’re probing these subjects through an expanded, well-being lens. We can no longer measure prosperity using traditional metrics like GDP; instead, we’re exploring ways to measure, define, and create a well-being economy that prioritizes sustainability and the equitable allocation of resources.

Think.

IC² creates opportunities for interdisciplinary research — bringing new insights, energy and purpose to initiatives that advance the well-being economy.

Do.

Established as a “think and do tank,” the Institute has a deep legacy not only of academic research but also of real-world practice. We create programs that test our ideas and impact the world.

Connect and Convene.

Public engagement is central to the mission of IC². Throughout its history, IC² has connected academia, business, and community leaders around bold ideas.

Meet Our Director

“From the study of entrepreneurship to the interdisciplinary work related to revitalizing communities, IC² has been a vibrant source of knowledge and public engagement. Today, there is a growing need to leverage data and new technologies to cultivate an innovation economy predicated on inclusion, health and well-being, and social impact. I see a future in which IC² will be a hub for producing the knowledge, networks and talent needed to do just that. That future is now.”

– S. Craig Watkins

S. Craig Watkins

IC² Institute Executive Director S. Craig Watkins

IC² Institute Executive Director S. Craig Watkins

IC² Impact Since 2019

Recent Impact
(Since 2019)

43

UT faculty researchers have received funding from IC².

265

Home to Texas summer interns have served in dozens of communities around the state.

180

Local women- and minority-owned businesses trained through the HUBs program.

105

Undergraduate and graduate students have been hired as researchers with IC².

58

Texas communities have participated in the Regional XLR8 economic recovery program.

12

International scholars have participated in our Visiting Scholars program.

Annual Report