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Our Story
In 2004, Dan Coats was preparing to return to the United States following his service as US Ambassador to Germany and he joined Jay Hein to launch a think tank based in the American heartland’s values and geography. In contrast to the noise and rancor coming from Washington, D.C., Sagamore Institute was formed that same year to tackle difficult issues with civility and focus on solutions not ideology.
Our Model
Sagamore builds and implements solutions to society’s biggest problems. Through research and consulting, we connect the best ideas with leaders who can translate them into smarter public policy and entrepreneurial solutions. Then, we scale the best innovations with venture capital.
The Levey Mansion Years
Our think tank was headquartered at the Levey Mansion in Indianapolis from 2010-20. The building was a type of Midwestern palace built in 1906 with elements of the Italian Renaissance. The parlor resembled a Louis XV style drawing room and the building served as ideal location for convening leaders and neighbors.
Anniversary Reports
Please click on the various reports below to glimpse the earlier chapters of Sagamore’s story. Our 5th anniversary video features then-Gov. Mitch Daniels who reflects on the importance of a think tank in Indiana. Our 10 year provides a comprehensive view of our think tank model. And the 15 year report offers 15 stories representing our impact and influence.
Our Prequel: Hudson Institute in Indianapolis
Hudson Institute was headquartered in Indianapolis for twenty years—1984-2004. Founded by Herman Kahn in the early 1960s, the think tank was located in Croton-on-Hudson, New York until it moved to Indianapolis to become one of America’s first “heartland” think tanks.