The Leader - March/April 2008 - (Page 72)

c a l i for N ia re por t The Gold Standard: California is the State for Innovation By kareN e. tHuerMer califorNia’s NickNaMe tHe GoldeN state refereNces tHe eNterprisiNG MiNers WHo struck Gold tHere iN 1848. today califorNia is strikiNG Gold of aNotHer kiNd – aN ecoNoMy tHat spaNs every coNceivaBle iNdustry froM HiGH tecHNoloGy, BiotecHNoloGy, Medical eQuipMeNt, softWare developMeNt, distriButioN, to eNtertaiNMeNt. C alifornia’s success places it eighth among the world’s largest economies. California contributes to over 13 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. In 2005, it produced more than $1.62 trillion in goods and services – 6.8 percent more than in 2004. The state attracts more foreign direct investment than any other in the union. California also boasts one of the largest concentrations of international banks, foreign consulates, and binational chambers of commerce in the United States. California’s climate and landscape offers a lifestyle envied around the world. Its size, diverse population of more than 37 million people in 58 counties and over 470 incorporated cities give businesses the opportunity to excel and attract talent. California is world-renowned as a leader in innovation. Its world-class education system has resulted in 620 members in the National Academy of Sciences. Its superior educational system and job training programs produce an unrivaled, highly-skilled labor force. In 2005, 2.2 million students were enrolled in 253 California colleges and universities with over a quarter of a million graduating from college every year. “The University of California system is churning out super-bright minds,” says Mary Ingersoll, Executive Manager of Team California. “Education is our No. 1 priority. The universities are the heartbeats of the state.” No other state offers the creativity and drive of California entrepreneurs and the products and businesses they create. California leads the nation in research and development (R&D). Industrial and academic R&D totals over $50 billion annually. The Golden State offers the world’s leading venture capital (VC) climate and receives almost 50 percent of the entire nation’s VC investment. Top sectors receiving funding are software, biotechnology, telecommunications, medical devices and semiconductors. In 2004, VC investment was up by over $1 billion 2 0 0 8 tHe le ade r 72 MarcH / april

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Leader - March/April 2008

The Leader - March/April 2008 Leadership Contents Message from the CEO Real Estate in the News Taking CRM Programs to the Next Level A Commitment to Sustainability GSA’s National 3D-4D-BIM Program Sustainability at ABN-AMRO Getting to the Real Issues in Today’s Competitive Marketplace ManPower Consolidates Real Estate & Project Management with One Provider HP's Renee Leach and Team Como's Robin Harris San Antonio's Mario Hernandez Chicago Workplace, Mid-Atlantic, and Boston The Gold Standard: California Is the State for Innovation Pat Crumley: Education Is a Path to Success Postcards from the Edge Tribune's Stephanie Pater Economic Development in the News A Look Ahead EDP Continues Expansion in Asia-Pacific

The Leader - March/April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.