This week's episode with Michael Johnson, the President of the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), was conducted at the groundbreaking Comet Advanced Manufacturing Facility. Together, we explore NJII's distinctive position as a standalone corporation owned by NJIT, meticulously designed to address global challenges by seamlessly connecting academia with the external world. The narrative gracefully unfolds to trace NJII's roots, originating a decade ago to confront the challenge of making academic resources more accessible to governmental organizations and private industry. Serving as a vital link between NJIT and the world beyond, NJII epitomizes a nimble and efficient operation, ensuring a swift translation of academic expertise into tangible solutions. The episode takes a deep dive into NJII's ongoing initiatives and strategic partnerships. Michael sheds light on their collaboration with the Department of Defense, focusing on the rigorous testing of advanced manufacturing equipment for military applications and comprehensive workforce training programs. Intriguing projects involving body cam footage analysis for law enforcement and pioneering drone technology for predicting power line failures come to the forefront. Michael Johnson, in a candid exchange, shares personal insights into his journey, from an early passion for science and engineering to co-founding a company dedicated to 3D tissue imaging. The conversation pivots to NJII's ambitious growth mindset, substantial investments in new initiatives, and visionary plans to double both personnel and revenue over the next six to seven years. Their ultimate goal is to achieve financial independence while actively contributing to the success of NJIT. The episode, thus, serves as a comprehensive exploration of NJII's mission, showcasing its pivotal role in connecting academia with industry. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, offering a detailed account of NJII's plans for future growth, technological impact, and its commitment to shaping the innovation landscape in New Jersey. njii.com GET YOUR JERSEY FEST TICKETS NOW! https://www.seetickets.us/event/jersey-fest/588283 Music: "Ride" by Jackson Pines jacksonpines.com Thank you to our sponsors: Helix NJ: helixnj.com New Jersey Lottery: njlottery.com New Jersey Innovation Institute: njii.com Make Cool Sh*t: makecoolshit.co UCS Advisors: ucsgreatness.com Albert & Whitney CPAs:  awcpasllc.com Mayo Performing Arts Center: mayoarts.org/events-calendar Contact the show: [email protected] Support the show