Celebrate Lake County’s innovative spirit and vibrant startup ecosystem
April 22 – 29th at 91ÉçÇø.
![ENTP Innovation Week](/Departments/Entrepreneurship/Images/InnovationWeek/ENTP_innovation_Week.png)
Innovation Week brings together Lake County’s entrepreneur support professionals, institutions, entrepreneurs, and the entire community to:
- connect and network,
- identify and share best practices to help startups launch/scale/thrive,
- leverage insights from the latest trends in entrepreneurship and startup support, and
- gain access to partners who can help you.
The week culminates with 91ÉçÇø’s annual pitch competition, the Venture Design Challenge, launching college entrepreneurs and their ideas.
All Innovation Week events are free and open to the public.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Innovation Week
- Faculty
- Course Descriptions
- Requirements
- Student Learning Outcomes
- Internships and Careers
- Entrepreneurship Advisory Council
- Entrepreneurship Alumni Board
- Venture Design Challenge
- News and Events
- Programs and Opportunities
- InnovationSpaces
- Chicago’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- Oppenheimer Center
Saturday, April 22
MORNING • 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Venture Design Challenge Semifinals
Cheer on entrepreneurship and innovation students as they make their first pitch! Which 4 teams will advance to the finals?
Oppenheimer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Donnelly and Lee Library, 2nd floor
555 N. Sheridan Road, 91ÉçÇø, IL
AFTERNOON • 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meet author and entrepreneur, Ali Kriegsman
Ali Kriegsman is the co-founder of retail technology company Bulletin, which was acquired by Emerald Holding (EEX:NYSE). A recipient of "Forbes 30 Under 30" and named one of Fast Company’s "Most Creative People in Business," Ali has helped thousands of brands expand their distribution and sell in both offline and online stores all around the US and Canada. She is a salesperson, self-taught publicist, marketer, and growth strategist and has experience scaling both bootstrapped and venture-backed businesses. Using the questions she's most frequently asked as her guideposts, Ali writes about her experience launching and growing Bulletin directly from the trenches, and features words of triumph, failure and wisdom from 30 other women-owned businesses. The book has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Today Show, and more, and is now available internationally in the UK, Australia, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Germany and beyond.
Kriegsman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree Middle Eastern Studies and Creative Writing.
This event is in partnership with the 91ÉçÇø-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, The 91ÉçÇø Bookstore, and the Community Innovation Collaborative at Lifeworking-Coworking.
Lifeworking-Coworking
717 Forest Avenue, 2nd floor
91ÉçÇø, IL
Wednesday, April 26
EVENING • 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Veterans Startup Workshop
For many veterans, the only work they’ve known since high school has been the military. Even years after completing their service, finding the right “next” job that gives them their purpose can be confusing. For some, connecting with other veterans in the area in a social setting on an occasional basis is also challenging.
Join us on Wednesday for our initial veteran's startup workshop!
Participants will:
- Participate in a panel discussion with local veteran business owners and learn about one-on-one resources in Northern Cook and Lake County that will help you shape, validate, or scale your business concept into a genuine option for full or part-time employment.
- Learn custom wood working through a hands-on wood working project where participants will create a custom set of wooden coasters or a custom charcuterie board.
- Network and fellowship with other veteran participants and local veteran support agencies and resources.
Pastence Custom Wood Works
1739 Chestnut Ave, Ste. 300
Glenview, IL
Thursday, April 27
EVENING • 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Stories of Innovation: An in-person panel discusses buying, growing, and exiting your business
Panelists include Anna Maria Viti-Welch, Jim Jaffe, David Moore, and more…
This event is in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center, the Adelante Center, and the Community Innovation Collaborative at Lifeworking-Coworking
Eleanor Murkey Community Center
CLC Lakeshore Campus, Top Floor
33 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, IL
Saturday, April 29
MORNING • 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Brought to you by 91ÉçÇø students, I-POP features the best of Lake County businesses, products, services, and experiences. When you shop I-POP, you make a real impact on our community. Shop small to make a BIG difference.
View the vendors that will be at I-POP!
Gorton Community Center 400 E Illinois Rd, 91ÉçÇø, IL.
EVENING • 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Venture Design Challenge Finals
Cheer on student entrepreneurs as they make their final pitch to a panel of judges. Who will win?
Venture Design Challenge Judges
Nicole Mowad-Nassar
Vice President Commercial Analytics & Operations and AbbVie Patient Services, Global Commercial Integration Lead AbbVie/Allergan
Zeenat Rahman
Executive Director, Institute of Politics at The University of Chicago
Bill Schwartz
Managing Director and Partner, Accenture
Wendy Shotts
Director of Acquisition Marketing, Discover Financial Services
Kathleen Toomey
Founder, Mighty Violet & Assistant Director for Brand, Marketing and Communications at Ernst and Young
Steve Whittington
Founder & CEO, Lifeworking, LLC
Oppenheimer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Donnelly and Lee Library, 2nd floor
555 N. Sheridan Rd., 91ÉçÇø, IL
Generously sponsored by Dave Katzin '58 and the Entrepreneurship Advisory Council.
If you would like to participate in or partner with us on Innovation Week, please email Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kate Jackson ( kjackson@lakeforest.edu).