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ILLINOIS GRAINGER ENGINEERING
Discovery Partners Institute
Shaping Chicago’s Tech Future
Focused on AI innovation and application, quantum technologies and the future of computing, the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is a hub connecting research, education and business development. In collaboration with city leaders, we're developing top-tier workforce talent, driving digital transformation and positioning Chicago as a leader in the global tech economy.
Discover What's New
Recent announcements from the Discovery Partners Institute.
Pritzker Tech Talent Labs 5-Year Impact Report
- DPI News
- December 10, 2025
Bridging academic silos with IMPACT
- DPI News
- December 8, 2025
Lessons learned about Chicago’s tech ecosystem
- DPI News
- November 25, 2025
Our Talent Development Programs
The Pritzker Tech Talent Labs take a systemic approach to developing promising and diverse tech talent. Our programs work across the state, from K-12 schools through community colleges, universities, and lifelong learners.
Teacher Training
Few teachers across Illinois are trained to teach Computer Science. We’re working to change that with an endorsement program for existing teachers, targeted professional development, and resources to help improve computer science instruction across the state.
Middle, High School, and Community College Students
PTTL’s Community Education unit offers a suite of programs to guide historically underrepresented students into CS and tech-related fields.
Apprenticeships
Training for in-demand, resilient tech jobs is a lifelong process. We support individuals and companies to address critical talent needs in cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and software development.
Covid-19 has worsened our already significant income inequality, accelerated tech adoption, and made the need for upskilling even more acute.
“We simply must do more to help our workers, particularly women and people of color, acquire the skills needed to adapt and thrive given the accelerating impact of automation and digitization. This important new initiative at DPI will help build a more inclusive economy by increasing opportunity for the diverse talent in our region.”
Penny Pritzker, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and trustee of the Pritzker Foundation
Invest with the Most Ambitious People and
Companies the Region Has to Offer
Our partners include leading universities on the other side of the globe; the state’s most successful entrepreneurs; and big corporations, which turn to DPI to accelerate their R&D efforts. Here are just a few of our partners.
The most popular way to do things is not always the best way to do things.
“The situation here, especially at UofI, is that a lot of the students opt for going straight to the West Coast, and that’s where they seek success. But City Scholars has continually proven to me that is not necessarily the best option, and it certainly isn’t the only option.”
Azriel Alvarado, City Scholars alumnus
Why DPI?
Illinois is a top producer nationally of computer science and data science graduates. Yet, the state still faces a significant shortage of talent needed for its economy to grow. We are in a global war for the best and the brightest; DPI is the state’s offensive.
Collaborate With Us
We need you so that more students are ready to step into high-demand jobs and more breakthrough ideas can strengthen companies across Illinois.