Founded on an ecosystem of innovation

Penn was built on the concept of innovation. “If it’s new, novel and holds promise to change the world,” says President Amy Gutmann, “you’ll find it at Penn.”

Penn was built on the concept of innovation. Bifocals, lightning rods, swim fins—the University’s founder Ben Franklin invented these everyday items with an innovative spirit that defined his legacy and now defines Penn.

Today, innovation is fostered by a combination of faculty, collaboration, facilities, and resources. The creative energy and momentum is on display at centers for translational work like Pennovation Works and VentureLab. It’s the vision behind Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion, where education, clinical care and research connect in one facility, and the Penn Center for Innovation, which weds innovation, venture creation, and commercialization. 

“Everything innovative Penn does we do to advance knowledge for good in the world,” says President Amy Gutmann. “If it's new, if it's novel, then it holds promise to change the world. You'll find it at Penn.”