State of Innovation · New England

Turning regional assets into national advantages

A two-day convening of New England’s innovation leaders, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, to turn shared regional strengths into national advantage.

DatesSep 1–2, 2026
LocationPortland, Maine
Convened byRenaissance Teams
Funded byU.S. NSF
About the convening

Regional strengths, national impact

State of Innovation: New England brings senior leaders together from across the region to identify concrete, multi-state opportunities: the kind that turn regional strengths into national advantage.

Work happens in three themed “nexus” areas, each focused on a sector where the region already has real momentum:

01 · Nexus

Microelectronics & Semiconductor

Strengthening the region’s chip design, fabrication, and advanced-packaging capabilities.

02 · Nexus

Maritime & Blue Economy

Advancing ocean technology, shipbuilding, and a sustainable blue economy.

03 · Nexus

Bio & Science Ecosystem

Connecting the region’s life-science, biofabrication, and research strengths.

Cross-cutting themes

Threads that run across every nexus

AI + Advanced Computing + QuantumAdvanced Manufacturing + Robotics + Physical AIEnergy
Keynote

Evening keynote

Dan O’Keefe
Keynote · Evening of September 1

Dan O’Keefe

Commissioner of Economic Development and Chief Innovation Officer, State of Connecticut. Before joining state government, he spent 25 years as a technology investor, most recently as a Managing Partner at Apax Partners. He will give the keynote over dinner on September 1.

Who’s in the room

Senior leaders from across the region

Around sixty senior leaders, roughly ten from each of the six New England states: research university and federal lab leadership, industry executives, founders and investors, and economic development and workforce leaders, along with executive-branch science and technology advisors.

The workshop opens with a virtual session on August 19 and convenes in person in Portland on September 1–2.

Grant information

This convening is organized by Renaissance Teams and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. NSF Award No. 2546645 View the award on NSF.gov →

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