Design the infrastructure that helps growing firms stay and scale locally.

A region can generate promising research yet lack the facilities and connections that help companies commercialize it. In this applied learning lab, James Byrnes examines the “middle mile” between discovery and business growth. Explore where established industries intersect with emerging technologies, and assess how testbeds, prototyping labs, and other specialized assets can strengthen regional clusters. Build a clearer case for investments that give firms a reason to grow in your region.

Inside the learning lab

Map regional strengths through a convergence audit, scope an infrastructure concept, and test its resilience against changing conditions. Practice aligning university, industry, and government interests, then develop an investment narrative for peer review.

What you will gain

• Identify opportunities where existing industries and emerging technologies intersect.
• Recognize gaps in commercialization infrastructure that may push firms to scale elsewhere.
• Scope a shared asset and consider the governance needed to support it.
• Explain long-term investment value using ecosystem maturity and private capital leverage alongside traditional measures.

What you will take back

An Ecosystem Architect’s Toolkit with an audit canvas, infrastructure design template, government-industry-academia partnership playbook, and investment pitch deck framework.

Who should join:

Experienced practitioners leading regional clusters, innovation infrastructure, technology-based development, or complex partnerships.

Bring a cluster opportunity and develop the case for the infrastructure it needs.

Registration (Opens December 2026)

Professional Development Credits

Attendance and participation during all sessions of the training course is required by a registrant to obtain the following credits. 

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
  • Exam = Core Requirement
  • Recertification = (3) Level-1 Points
    
    
• Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP)
  • Exam = Elective Requirement
  • Recertification = (3) Level-1 Points

Note: IEDC will send a registrant an electronic certificate of completion after the course for their records.

Questions

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call (202) 223-7800.

Policies

Please read the following policies carefully prior to registering for the training course.

Materials

The materials provided by IEDC are intended for use only by the registrant of the training course. A registrant should not share the training course materials with anyone else.

A registrant found in violation of this policy will be removed from the training course immediately and will not receive a refund for it.

Payment

A registrant will not receive the materials for the training course until IEDC receives the full amount owed for their registration.

Substitution

A registrant is not allowed to substitute a colleague in their place for any IEDC training course.

Cancellation

Please review our cancellation policy here.

No Show

A registrant is considered a “No Show” if they fail to send a cancellation email and/or do not attend the training course. A “No Show” registrant will forfeit any monies paid to IEDC for the training course.