Technology powers the Bay Area’s economy, creating industries and producing world- leading companies and products that are changing lives and businesses across the world. Much of this growth can be traced to the region’s world-leading scientific research facilities, including public and private universities, federal research laboratories, and non- profit and corporate laboratories. The vitality of this research enterprise is impacted by the regional, state and national policies and environments that support science and innovation. BASIC is the Bay Area’s leading voice on these issues.
BASIC is the science and technology affiliate of the Bay Area Council and the Bay Area Council Economic Institute. A collaboration of major organizations in the Bay Area’s scientific research community, it brings together senior leaders from the region’s university, national laboratory and business community to facilitate collaboration, and address key issues and opportunities impacting the region’s research base and its ability to support technology-led growth.
BASIC is led by a Board of Directors composed of research leaders at the region’s universities, its national laboratories, and CTOs, lab directors and head scientists at many of its leading companies. The Bay Area Council Economic Institute provides BASIC’s management and research support and works with the board to support growth and competitiveness by advancing the Bay Area’s leadership in science, technology and innovation.
BASIC provides a unique forum for the exchange of ideas on regional research priorities, and a platform for public-private collaboration to address them. Its members also work together to bring new research activities and initiatives to the region, while analytical reports and forums frame and address key issues. In recent years BASIC has produced reports on the Bay Area’s innovation system and the importance of public support for science, has addressed topics such as Pell Grants and green cards for skilled immigrants, and has been instrumental in bringing national research projects to the region. As a Bay Area partnership spanning both technology and life science, its unique public-private membership enables members to speak with one voice on scientific research and its importance to the economy independent of the perspectives of individual companies or institutions.
