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Forge The

Future

The persistent pursuit of the next giant leap has led Purdue University and the State of Indiana to establish the Hard Tech Corridor at the smart crossroads of America. Forged by discovery, built by innovation, and fueled by an unrivaled workforce, this 65-mile corridor between West Lafayette and Indiana unlocks boundless potential for research and business.

Top

Most innovative
Public University in the U.S. 8 years running
20

U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Top

Graduating the
Most STEM Majors
20

Forbes, 2022

Top

in the U.S. for patents
6 years running
20

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2025

A strategic economic and national security priority

The world’s most creative, innovative minds are coming together in the heart of America to translate our most pressing challenges into cutting-edge jobs, talent, and knowledge. From semiconductors to hypersonics, Purdue, our industry partners, and the state are forging a next generation economy focused on a high speed lab-to-market innovation.

The partnerships at the heart of Indiana’s Hard Tech Corridor attract, develop and retain globally competitive talent.

Purdue University
Discovery Park District
Indiana Economic
Development Corporation
NSWC Crane

A CONDUIT OF HARD TECH INNOVATION

Anchored by Purdue’s flagship West Lafayette campus to the north and Purdue Indianapolis to the south, the Hard Tech Corridor begins and ends with world-class innovation.

A graphic showing a map of the Hard Tech Corridor between Greater Lafayette and Indianapolis with partner locations.

One Health

  • Beck’s Hybrids 
  • Cook Group
  • Corteva Agriscience 
  • Elanco
  • Inari
  • Lilly*
  • Novartis

AI TECH STACK

  • Apple
  • Google
  • imec
  • MediaTek
  • Meta*
  • Microsoft
  • SEL
  • SK hynix*

CROSSROADS OF AMERICA

  • Caterpillar
  • Cummins
  • FedEx
  • GE Aviation
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Saab
  • Subaru
  • Wabash

*Multi billion-dollar investment

Workforce

Rooted in the nation’s heartland and powered by Purdue, nowhere else are talents, careers, and knowledge co-generated at a larger scale or higher quality than along the Hard Tech Corridor.

Two researchers wearing safety glasses in a lab setting discuss a small vial of white powder.

Commercialization

“By helping transform breakthrough research into innovative products and startups, we advance Purdue’s mission while strengthening economic growth and improving quality of life in Indiana and beyond.”
– PRF President & CEO Chad Pittman

PRF President & CEO Chad Pittman sits at a restaurant table as he listens to someone speaking off camera.

Hard Tech Corridor

“In central Indiana and its neighbors of the heartland, jobs, talent, and knowledge can be co-created along the hard tech corridors we are building today.”
– Purdue President Mung Chiang

Purdue University President Mung Chiang speaks behind a podium.

Partnership

The partnerships and investments taking shape along the corridor represent a shared commitment to strengthening the nation’s innovation capacity and driving economic growth for Indiana and beyond.
Two men in formal suits hold a commemorative plaque between them.

Ecosystem

Companies who locate to Indiana along the Hard Tech Corridor don’t just do business. They get access to top-level researchers, a deep, highly skilled workforce, and Purdue’s top-tier startup and commercialization ecosystem.
Two smiling students sit on a large concrete statue on Purdue's campus. A third stands next to them.
"Hard tech: where bytes meet atoms. Where what you touch and what you code, merge. For example, semiconductors and microelectronics. Aerospace and transportation and logistics. Ag and biopharma manufacturing. These are the pillars of hard tech, and Indiana will be known for its Hard Tech Corridor."
Purdue President Mung Chiang
Purdue President Mung ChiangPurdue University

NEWS FROM THE HARD TECH CORRIDOR

Purdue President Mung Chiang on stage, presenting behind a glass podium to a large crowd.

Purdue and Google aim to grow a strategic AI partnership...

Read More
Graphic: $1B+ in R&D Expenditures in FY25 (Herd, 2025)

Purdue surpasses $1B in total research expenditures for the first time...

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A stylized map of the Hard Tech Corridor showing Greater Lafayette, LEAP, and Indianapolis. A circle with workforce, jobs, and innovation is in the center.

Purdue invests in One Health, from making medicines to advancing chemistry, along America’s Hard Tech Corridor...

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Purdue University President Mung Chiang speaks at the SK hynix West Lafayette announcement, dignitaries seated on either side of the stage.

SK hynix announces semiconductor advanced packaging investment in Purdue Research Park...

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A closeup shot of Purdue President Mung Chiang mid-speech.

How Purdue University helped bring a ‘hard tech corridor’ to the heartland...

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A large group of representatives from IU and Purdue.

Purdue University in Indianapolis: Launching Purdue’s first comprehensive urban campus and forming America’s Hard Tech Corridor...

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