US Council on Competitiveness
The US Council on Competitiveness is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan non-profit founded in 1986 that convenes industry, academic, labor, and national lab leaders to develop policy recommendations strengthening U.S. innovation capacity and economic competitiveness through programs like the National Commission and Competitiveness Conversations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What US Council on Competitiveness does
The US Council on Competitiveness is an American nonpartisan, non-profit policy and thought leadership organization founded in 1986 by Hewlett-Packard CEO John Young and headquartered at 900 17th Street NW, Washington, DC. It convenes senior leaders from industry, academia, labor, and U.S. national laboratories to develop consensus-driven policy recommendations aimed at strengthening U.S. innovation capacity, productivity, and economic competitiveness. Its core programs include the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers (which produces the "Competing in the Next Economy" report series with 55 recommendations organized under seven innovation pillars targeting a 10x increase in U.S. innovation capacity), the Technology Leadership & Strategy Initiative (TLSI) comprising nearly 50 CTOs, the University Leadership Forum, the Alliance for Transformational Computing (ATC), the Bioeconomy Future Initiative (Bio+), and the regional "Competitiveness Conversations Across America" summit series now active in 13+ states. The organization does not develop or sell technology products; its deliverables are policy reports, convening events, and thought leadership content distributed through its website (compete.org), the monthly Compete Connect newsletter, CompeteTV/YouTube, and a Forbes.com column by its President and CEO Deborah L. Wince-Smith.
The Council operates as a membership-based non-profit funded through membership dues, event sponsorships, and grants, and is governed by a board comprising leaders from each member constituency (Chair: J. Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF; Business Vice Chair: Sundar Raman of P&G; Academic Vice Chair: Joan Gabel of the University of Pittsburgh; Labor Vice Chair: Kenneth Cooper of IBEW). Financial figures are not publicly disclosed. Its "customer" base spans four horizontal constituencies — government policymakers, university leadership, corporate executives, and labor leaders — and it maintains strategic relationships with seven DOE national laboratories and 14+ major research universities. With 51-100 employees and 40 years of operational history, the Council plays a continuing role in shaping U.S. innovation policy, including contributions to the America COMPETES Act and engagement with Congressional committees on emerging technology issues.
US Council on Competitiveness firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- US Council on Competitiveness
- Legal name
- Council on Competitiveness
- Website
- https://compete.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The US Council on Competitiveness is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan non-profit founded in 1986 that convenes industry, academic, labor, and national lab leaders to develop policy recommendations strengthening U.S. innovation capacity and economic competitiveness through programs like the National Commission and Competitiveness Conversations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
US Council on Competitiveness industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Policy Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)
Keywords
Where US Council on Competitiveness is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
US Council on Competitiveness business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
US Council on Competitiveness product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The U.S. Council on Competitiveness is a nonpartisan, membership-based policy and thought leadership organization that convenes senior leaders from industry, academia, labor, and national laboratories to develop consensus-driven policy recommendations aimed at strengthening U.S. innovation capacity and economic competitiveness. Its core offerings include the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers flagship initiative, the Technology Leadership & Strategy Initiative (TLSI) for CTOs, the University Leadership Forum (ULF), the Alliance for Transformational Computing (ATC), the Bioeconomy Future Initiative (Bio+), and the Competitiveness Conversations Across America regional summits, supplemented by policy reports and the monthly Compete Connect newsletter.
Product overview
The Council on Competitiveness operates as a policy and thought leadership organization rather than a technology product company. Its offering consists of a portfolio of programs, initiatives, and publications aimed at strengthening U.S. innovation and competitiveness. The core programs include the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers (which produces the Competing in the Next Economy policy reports), the Technology Leadership & Strategy Initiative (TLSI) bringing together CTOs, the University Leadership Forum (ULF), the Alliance for Transformational Computing (ATC), and the Competitiveness Conversations Across America event series. Additionally, the Bioeconomy Future Initiative (Bio+) focuses on U.S. bioeconomy leadership. The Council also publishes the monthly Compete Connect Newsletter and produces policy reports and white papers. These programs work together to convene leaders across industry, academia, labor, and national laboratories to develop actionable policy recommendations for U.S. competitiveness.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers
Quantifiable outcome
- 55 policy recommendations published in Competing in the Next Economy report for achieving 10x innovation increase
Companies that use US Council on Competitiveness
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
US Council on Competitiveness technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
US Council on Competitiveness partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- University of MarylandcoreUniversity partner and co-host of Competitiveness Conversations events. The University of Maryland, led by President Darryll Pines, has partnered with the Council on the Maryland edition of Competitiveness Conversations in March 2026, focusing on AI governance, quantum science, and inclusive innovation.
- Morgan State UniversitycoreHBCU partner co-hosting Competitiveness Conversations with the Council. Morgan State University, led by President David Kwabena Wilson, co-hosted the Maryland edition of Competitiveness Conversations, contributing to the Council's goal of expanding innovation geographically and demographically.
- University of California San DiegocoreHost partner for the San Diego Competitiveness Conversation scheduled for July 2026. Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla co-hosts with Council President and CEO, focusing on transformative computing, AI, biotech, and autonomous systems.
- University of Nebraska SystemcoreHost partner for the Nebraska Competitiveness Conversation in April 2026. President Jeffrey Gold co-hosted the event focused on bioeconomy leadership, bringing together leaders from agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
- Vanderbilt UniversitycoreFounding partner for the Competitiveness Conversations series. Vanderbilt University, led by President Daniel Diermeier, co-hosted the inaugural Tennessee Competitiveness Conversation in April 2024.
- University of Tennessee, KnoxvillecoreCo-host of the Tennessee Competitiveness Conversation with Vanderbilt University in April 2024, focusing on future of mobility and regional innovation ecosystems.
- Lawrence Livermore National LaboratorycoreNational lab partner providing CTO-level leadership through the Technology Leadership and Strategy Initiative (TLSI). Laboratory Director Kimberly Budil participates in Council programs and the San Diego Competitiveness Conversation.
- Argonne National LaboratorycoreNational lab partner in the Council's innovation ecosystem. Argonne co-hosted the Indiana-Illinois Competitiveness Conversation in September 2024.
- Los Alamos National LaboratorycoreNational lab partner co-hosting the New Mexico Competitiveness Conversation in Santa Fe in May 2025, focused on national security and innovation.
- Sandia National LaboratoriescoreNational lab partner co-hosting the New Mexico Competitiveness Conversation with Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- Oak Ridge National LaboratorycoreNational lab partner in the Council's ecosystem, contributing CTO and research leadership through TLSI programs.
- Boise State UniversitycoreUniversity partner co-hosting the Mountain West Competitiveness Conversation in Boise, Idaho in August 2024.
- Idaho National LaboratorycoreNational lab partner co-hosting the Mountain West Competitiveness Conversation with Boise State University.
- Purdue UniversitycoreUniversity partner and National Commissioner institution. Purdue co-hosted the Indiana-Illinois Competitiveness Conversation and contributes leadership through the University Leadership Forum and National Commission.
- University of PittsburghcoreUniversity partner hosting the Pittsburgh Competitiveness Conversation in October 2025, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University.
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitycoreUniversity partner co-hosting the Pittsburgh Competitiveness Conversation with the University of Pittsburgh.
- University of Texas at San AntoniocoreUniversity partner hosting the San Antonio Competitiveness Conversation in March 2025.
- University of Colorado BouldercoreUniversity partner hosting the Boulder Competitiveness Conversation in March-April 2025, in partnership with University of Wyoming and National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)coreDOE national lab partner co-hosting the Boulder Competitiveness Conversation focused on climate resilience and clean energy innovation.
- Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCC)coreAffiliated international organization that the Council supports through its programs, extending the competitiveness framework globally.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
US Council on Competitiveness competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation: A nonpartisan think tank that produces technology- and innovation-policy research and recommendations. Closest direct peer to the Council on Competitiveness because of overlapping focus on U.S. innovation capacity, industrial policy, and competition with China.
- Business Roundtable: CEO-led association whose members overlap significantly with the Council on Competitiveness's corporate membership. Comparable convening function on economic-competitiveness and workforce policy from a CEO-only, rather than cross-sector, perspective.
- National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): Manufacturing-industry trade association that convenes CEOs and produces competitiveness policy positions. Adjacent to the Council on Competitiveness on innovation economics, R&D policy, and the 'Competing in the Next Economy' Industrial Internet / advanced-manufacturing themes.
- Council on Foreign Relations: A nonpartisan membership organization that convenes senior leaders to influence U.S. foreign and economic policy. Mirrors the Council on Competitiveness's convening model (cross-sector membership, discreet board-led dialogue, policy publications) but with a foreign-policy rather than competitiveness frame.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): A bipartisan policy organization covering technology, economic competitiveness, and security — including programs on innovation policy, supply chains, and AI comparable to the Council's Competitiveness Conversations and TLSI work.
Broad incumbents
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The largest U.S. business association with substantial policy advocacy on competitiveness, trade, and innovation. Overlaps with the Council's CEO-convened agenda and competes for the same corporate membership dollars.
- National Academy of Sciences: Congressionally chartered advisor on science, engineering, and innovation policy with deep relationships to universities and national labs that overlap with the Council's ULF and National Commission networks.
- Brookings Institution: One of the largest U.S. policy think tanks with a substantial economic studies and innovation-economics program. Directly competes for the Council's policy-influence lane, but operates at materially larger scale with broader topical coverage.
Emerging players
- Hudson Institute: A policy research organization with established programs on U.S. industrial policy, semiconductor strategy, and technology competition. Smaller and more ideologically aligned than the Council on Competitiveness but competes in adjacent issue space.
- American Enterprise Institute (AEI): A think tank with substantive economics, innovation, and industrial-policy research. Unlike the Council, AEI advocates from a defined ideological perspective, but competes for the same policy-influence audience in Washington.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
US Council on Competitiveness social profiles
Digital presenceUS Council on Competitiveness financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
US Council on Competitiveness leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
US Council on Competitiveness funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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US Council on Competitiveness M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about US Council on Competitiveness
What does US Council on Competitiveness do?
The U.S. Council on Competitiveness is a nonpartisan, membership-based policy and thought leadership organization that convenes senior leaders from industry, academia, labor, and national laboratories to develop consensus-driven policy recommendations aimed at strengthening U.S. innovation capacity and economic competitiveness. Its core offerings include the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers flagship initiative, the Technology Leadership & Strategy Initiative (TLSI) for CTOs, the University Leadership Forum (ULF), the Alliance for Transformational Computing (ATC), the Bioeconomy Future Initiative (Bio+), and the Competitiveness Conversations Across America regional summits, supplemented by policy reports and the monthly Compete Connect newsletter.
Is US Council on Competitiveness a public or private company?
US Council on Competitiveness is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was US Council on Competitiveness founded?
US Council on Competitiveness was founded in 1986. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is US Council on Competitiveness based?
US Council on Competitiveness is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are US Council on Competitiveness's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Council on Foreign Relations and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Broad incumbents are U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Academy of Sciences and Brookings Institution. Emerging players are Hudson Institute and American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
Does US Council on Competitiveness have an API?
No public API is recorded for US Council on Competitiveness.
What industry is US Council on Competitiveness in?
US Council on Competitiveness's product category is Public Policy Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies), with a secondary code of BPADANAB, Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.