This post is by the IIC Core Team - those dedicated, forward-thinking (some might say crazy) individuals that ensure the IIC operates and continues to grow. Many of the members of the Core Team have been with the IIC since Day 1. 

Last January, the IIC was still a fledgling concept, as our co-founders raced to build a new program from the ground up. As 2014 came to a close, the IIC’s inaugural cohort was fully immersed in creating innovative solutions to some of the Indian government’s toughest challenges, and we were finalizing details for the exciting projects our 2015-2016 fellow cohort will tackle. Now, we don’t like bragging, but we have a few good reasons to be proud of the IIC’s progress this past year.

A YEAR OF 'FIRSTS'

2014 was a big year of ‘firsts’ for the IIC (including our first full year of operation!). Some of our favorites are:

  • First cohort of IIC Fellows! Following a recruitment cycle at the University of Chicago and top universities across India, we selected 15 fellows from over 125 applications, a competitive pool of talented individuals with academic and professional backgrounds ranging from anthropology to engineering, and everything in between.
  • First 5-week summer training program organized for our fellows in July, hosted at the UChicago campus in Chicago and the UChicago Center in Delhi. Our fellows learned how to capitalize on the strength of a team in order to successfully bring ideas into action in a new context.
  • First IIC Leadership Lecture held at the UChicago Center in Delhi. U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, kicked off the event with an e-introduction. Kathleen Stephens, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in India, delivered an address about the growing role of entrepreneurship and innovation in the relationship between India and the U.S.
  • First Tweet. That’s right, the IIC has a Twitter (@innovcorps – follow us!). We know our audience ranges far and wide, and we love using social media to help all of you stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at the IIC.

BY THE NUMBERS

In 2014, the IIC recruited and trained 15 fellows from 7 different universities, organized them into teams of 5, and matched them with 3 Indian government organizations to work on unique, government-led development projects.

But these numbers don’t capture one of the best parts of the year—the tremendous support we’ve received across the globe. We are incredibly thankful to all who have poured their energy into the IIC. 

UP NEXT...

Suffice to say, 2014 has been a huge year for us – and we’re confident that even bigger things lie ahead in 2015.