Project Overview & Summary

Through the generous support of a previous grant provided by the Stead family in August of 2021, the Innovation Partners Institute (IPI) initiated a Digital Trust Initiative (DTI) that explored best practices and strategize for engaging individuals and communities in the adoption and use of technology. Practices by commercial “big tech” companies have created a high level of mistrust in how personal data is used. Up to one-third of all smart community projects fail to reach commercial viability and a key driver is the level of mistrust people have about how their data is captured, stored, used, and monetized. 

The concepts of digital identity and Web 3.0 technologies are nascent and unproven and governments and corporations are not focused on providing a platform that enables an individual to manage and control their digital presence. As a result, today intermediaries and institutions end up capturing large portions of the value associated with an individuals’ digital identity.

IPI has partnered with Quiddity, an Indiana start-up with a deep understanding of web3.0 technologies and a vision for enabling enhanced life worth through self-sovereign identity, to build a people-first, community centric platform that would help Purdue engage its students, faculty and alumni in a community of purpose focused on advancing innovation. The platform will help the community members to organize, connect, engage and grow, enabling the individuals it to be more successful in advancing their shared interests around innovation and helping them be more engaged with Purdue and the broader Purdue Innovation community.