Accenture opens Digital Hub in Chicago to serve tech economy
Accenture has added a new location in Chicago to its growing global cohort of Digital Hubs. The new platform aims to provide regional clients with a wide range of options to prototype and collaborate around products, services and business models, with a broad range of interdisciplinary expertise from the firm at hand.
The development of incubation centres and other forms of ‘rapid prototyping’ or service centres that offer interdisciplinary services, from consulting to digital design, have begun popping up as consultancy service take a keen interest. EY for instance recently opened a centre in Madrid, rival KPMG opened a startup incubator in the US and McKinsey launched its own Experience Studio concept. The phenomenon provides a wide range of resources to companies in a simple package, through which they are easily able to test new products, develop new business models or transform their operations.
Accenture has in recent years opened a number of such centres, now operating seven globally, including a recently opened hub in Paris and in a Centre for Innovation in Dublin.
Accenture’s Digital Hub in Chicago is the latest centre to join its global network. The hub is aimed at supporting the firm’s clients engage with the latest innovations affecting their industry. The hub, which spans 70,000-square-feet, located in the recently developed West Loop, offers a range of services related to digital business, supported by Accenture's Interactive, Mobility, Analytics and Fjord business units. Clients are able to leverage expertise the firm's portfolio, including design support, digital technologies and collaboration tools. The offerings provide, according to the firm, the opportunity for rapid prototyping, an immersive collaborative environment and an interconnected workspace.
Jim Coleman, Senior Managing Director and lead of Accenture’s business in Chicago, says, “The new Accenture Digital Hub expands our commitment to Chicago, particularly in advancing the city’s leadership in technology. We have an ongoing imperative to drive innovation on behalf of our clients – in Chicago and beyond. With this Hub, we will continue helping them invent their futures.”
“We’re excited to expand our digital footprint and contribute to Chicago’s fast-growing tech economy", adds Jay Dettling, Managing Director at Accenture Interactive. "From designing new digital experiences at the Fjord studio to co-creating marketing, content, commerce, analytics and mobility solutions, the Hub will enable us to collaborate with our clients in a totally new way to drive greater innovation and business outcomes.”
