An Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ) is a unique economic development effort that partners research, workforce training, and private sector participation in close geographic proximity to promote collaboration in a research based effort that will lead to new technologies, marketable products, company formation, and job creation. There are currently 12 IPZs operating in the state of Washington.
The zones are administered by an economic development council, port, workforce development council, city or county. Designations carry for four years and then a designee must reapply.
The IPZs cover a variety of industry sectors recognizing cluster development including: green IT, medical devices, clean marine transportation, alternative energies, semi-conductor and display, viticulture, water management and aerospace, to name a few. The IPZs reflect the talent, assets and entrepreneurism of each of their regions.
The IPZs are actively working with University researchers, developing prototypes with their private sector partners, providing internship opportunities for university students, incubating start-up companies, developing critical training programs, and pulling technologies through technology transfer. All these efforts bring together industry and the community to develop new paths to innovation.
