For Immediate Release – December 2, 2025
State of Illinois Honored with International Award for Leadership in Innovation
Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards in Paris highlights Illinois’ global excellence in growth, innovation, and industry leadership
CHICAGO – Today, the State of Illinois has once again been recognized on the global stage at the 2025 Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) Awards in Paris, hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) was recognized with the Startup Ecosystem Stars Award acknowledging the state’s international leadership in talent, research, investment, industry support, and innovation policy.
“Illinois is a hub for innovative industries, talented entrepreneurs, and competitive incentives that fuel our growing economy. I’m proud that our leadership in innovation continues to be recognized on the world stage,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From supporting small businesses to attracting up-and-coming manufacturers to the state, my administration is supporting a future-focused business ecosystem — one that’s making its mark on the global economy.”
The SES Awards is an annual ceremony celebrating local innovation ecosystems all over the world. This year, DCEO earned recognition across five categories, each spotlighting one of the State’s key programs driving economic growth and global competitiveness:
- Best-in-Class Startup Programs – Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion
- The Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion Program provides training, financial assistance, and global market access to help Illinois startups and small businesses expand internationally and attract new partners to the state’s innovation ecosystem.
- Outstanding Investment Boost – Illinois Federal Grant Support Program
- The Illinois Federal Grant Support Program strengthens the state’s innovation ecosystem by co-investing matching dollars that unlock federal innovation awards, amplifying private and public capital flows, attracting new investment, and expanding opportunities for Illinois companies and institutions on the national stage.
- Top Talent & Research – Illinois SBIR/STTR State Matching Program
- The Illinois Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) State Matching Program accelerates entrepreneurial talent and technology transfer by providing one of the nation’s most competitive state match to federal research awards, helping startups commercialize groundbreaking innovations.
- Exceptional Industry Support – Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Program
- The Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Program strengthens Illinois’ industrial clusters by incentivizing quantum, semiconductor and microelectronics investment, fostering global partnerships, and integrating local companies into international innovation and supply chains.
- Pioneering Innovation Policy –Illinois Quantum Enterprise Zone
- The Illinois Quantum Enterprise Zone is a first-of-its-kind, place-based tax incentive policy designed to support the benefits of clustering quantum-focused companies, researchers, and manufacturers within a defined hub, aligning State incentives with the evolving needs of innovators.
“We’re proud that Illinois is once again being recognized on the global stage for our leadership in innovation and economic development,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This award validates our strategy to attract top talent, accelerate cutting-edge research, and strengthen the industries that keep Illinois at the forefront of the global economy.”
Illinois was one of only 36 organizations worldwide to receive the award, and the sole recipient to be awarded in all five categories, underscoring the state’s comprehensive and strategic approach to building a thriving, future-ready economy. The SES Awards reaffirm Illinois’ position as a global leader in innovation, startup support, and forward-looking economic development.
