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  • August 2022
  • Case
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In-Q-Tel: Innovation On A Mission

By: Joshua Lev Krieger and Josh Lerner
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:28
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Abstract

In 2022, the leaders of In-Q-Tel (IQT) considered what was next for the unique mission-driven organization. Since 1999, IQT had one mission: to be the most sophisticated source of strategic technical knowledge and capabilities to the U.S. government and its allies. IQT played a dual role for the national security community: to both inform the Intelligence Community (IC) with technology insights and to deliver cutting-edge capabilities. Its technical team identified sectors of interest, followed by investment professionals engaging with companies that had promising applications for the U.S. government. Recent years had seen an expansion of IQT’s activities through a growing team of in-house technologists, international expansion, “situational awareness” reports, a new program to help federally funded researchers commercialize promising solutions.
In the context of rapidly changing (and increasingly intertwined) technology and geopolitical landscapes, the IQT team had several big questions to consider: What was the right scope and complexity for the organization? IQT had expanded office geographies and activities, but IQT faced increased requests from government partners – such as countering offers to U.S. technology companies from foreign acquirers. What was the appropriate portfolio risk? Success for IQT went beyond just financial returns – but IQT needed to find a tolerable balance of potential failure. Lastly, how could the organization recruit the right talent to accommodate this growth? Recruiting and retaining talent was increasingly difficult in a competitive labor market.

Keywords

Mission and Purpose; National Security; Technological Innovation; Research; Geopolitical Units; Risk Management; Recruitment; Growth and Development Strategy; Venture Capital; Knowledge Management; Information Industry; Banking Industry

Citation

Krieger, Joshua Lev, and Josh Lerner. "In-Q-Tel: Innovation On A Mission." Harvard Business School Case 823-031, August 2022.
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About The Authors

Joshua Lev Krieger

Entrepreneurial Management
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Josh Lerner

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • August 2022
    • Faculty Research

    In-Q-Tel: Innovation On A Mission

    By: Josh Lerner and Joshua Lev Krieger
Related Work
  • In-Q-Tel: Innovation On A Mission By: Josh Lerner and Joshua Lev Krieger
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