<h1>Founder urges stronger national and institutional focus on research to build meritocratic, competitive ecosystem rewarding diverse scholars</h1> A technology industry founder urged strengthening national and institutional emphasis on research, arguing it is essential for national progress and global benefit and calling for an aspirational, meritocratic, competitive research ecosystem that rewards scientists, engineers, economists, mathematicians and humanists. The speaker cited historical precedents for government-led research infrastructure and funding, linked research to socioeconomic outcomes and ethical responsibilities, and urged policy and institutional reforms to attract and retain researchers and create idea-based hierarchies. The remarks carry policy implications for increased public funding, institutional reforms, and incentives to build national research capacity.