Your TL;DR: We are closing out year two of a three-year evaluation for the Illinois Innovation Vouchers program, and we remain genuinely energized by the impact this initiative is having on the state’s tech and innovation ecosystem. The work is ambitious, the outcomes are strong, and we are thrilled to be the evaluation partner supporting its continued growth.
The Illinois Innovation Vouchers program feels like one of those rare opportunities where mission, momentum, and measurable impact converge in all the right ways. As we round out year two of our three-year evaluation, we find ourselves reflecting on just how deeply we value this work and how privileged we feel to support such a forward-looking initiative.
A Program That Captures Our Imagination
The Illinois Innovation Vouchers program provides small businesses with the support they need to engage research partners who can help accelerate their innovation pathways. For a state that thrives on ingenuity, this program taps directly into what makes an innovation ecosystem vibrant. It gives founders the ability to test, validate, refine, and advance technology in ways that strengthen commercial readiness and regional competitiveness.
The context surrounding this program is powerful. Illinois has long been known for world-class research institutions and a strong talent pipeline. Pairing those assets with a program that promotes collaboration between small businesses and research partners creates real economic momentum. This is the type of structural support that drives long-term competitiveness, and it is a joy to study.
Where Attention Turns Into Insight
Our role is to observe, measure, and translate outcomes in ways that elevate program strengths and illuminate opportunities for refinement. Each year reveals new patterns and new possibilities. We see businesses gaining traction through research partnerships. We see technologies moving closer to market. We see the statewide ecosystem benefiting from the ripple effects of collaboration.
Interest grows as data trends emerge. Founders report improved technical capacity. Research teams celebrate meaningful exchange with industry partners. The program team continues to steward a thoughtful and high-integrity process that keeps everything moving forward.
This is the part of the evaluation journey that makes us want to lean in even further.
If you are building a program meant to move innovation forward, you deserve clarity on what is working and what needs sharpening.
We can walk through your goals and evaluation needs in a short, practical conversation.
Book a 15-minute evaluation fit call with EBHC.
A Program We Truly Love Supporting
We do not say this lightly. This program is near and dear to us.
We love evaluating it.
We love watching it grow.
We love seeing innovation flourish in real time.
We can’t wait to see what happens next for the team.
Evaluation is often viewed as a compliance function. In this case, it feels more like a shared commitment to building something bigger than any one grant cycle. Every dataset, every interview, every insight reminds us why this partnership matters. It is rare that an initiative strikes such a meaningful balance between vision and action. This one does.
The Gap If Action Stalls
Programs like this create measurable value. Without continued investment in rigorous oversight and strategic learning, important outcomes can go unseen and underleveraged. The absence of evaluation creates blind spots that stall progress and weaken the case for future funding.
The gap is real. Accountability protects the program. Data amplifies its story. Insight shapes its evolution.
The Solution That Moves the Work Forward
We remain committed to delivering an evaluation that reflects the true impact of the Illinois Innovation Vouchers program. Our focus is to provide credible findings, thoughtful analysis, and practical recommendations that support long-term success. The work is exciting, it is meaningful, and we are honored to be at the table as this program continues to grow.
Your Next Step
If your organization is preparing to launch, scale, or refine a program that supports innovation and technology-based economic development, we can help you build the same level of clarity and accountability that keeps the Illinois Innovation Vouchers program moving forward. Schedule a consult call with EBHC and strengthen your evaluation strategy before your next grant cycle begins.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.