In 2000, Northwestern University boldly decided to establish the first and largest institute in the United States dedicated to nanotechnology. Today, the IIN represents more than $1 billion in research, educational programs, and supporting infrastructure, and 28 startup companies have been launched based on discoveries at the IIN. Under the leadership of renowned chemist Chad Mirkin, the IIN connects talented, driven researchers with the world’s most advanced facilities and equipment. By providing educational opportunities for the next generation of scientists and supporting the translation of innovative technologies from the lab to the marketplace, the IIN is at the forefront of a field described as “the next industrial revolution.”