Join our community to connect to resources, people, opportunities, and networks in the Illinois entrepreneurship ecosystem and to provide helpful feedback to women entrepreneurs about their ventures. Featured speakers are Talia Farrell-Rosen and Jenna Mukametkhan, Founders of Uchange Scholars, a nonprofit mentoring organization which connects high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to college students for one-on-one assistance with the college application and decision process. Talia (UIUC alumna) and Jenna (Gies Business student) were both inspired to launch their organization after going through the complex process of applying to college when they were high school students. Learn about their experiences running a nonprofit organization as student entrepreneurs and how they took advantage of UIUC entrepreneurship ecosystem resources and provide feedback on their current challenges and next steps for their venture.
What is WIE Connect?
WIE Connect is a recurring Women in Entrepreneurship community-building event hosted by Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership that provides a venue for women entrepreneurs to present to a supportive community to obtain feedback on their ventures and helps women to connect to resources, people, opportunities and networks in the Illinois entrepreneurship ecosystem. WIE Connect events include announcements with new entrepreneurship opportunities, a 10-min presentation by an entrepreneur, a 20-min interactive Q & A between the presenter and the community, and time for making connections during a mixer with light refreshments.
Apply to Present Your Entrepreneurial Venture
Women affiliated with the University of Illinois (students, faculty/staff, alumnae, EnterpriseWorks affiliates/tenants, or community members) who are working on a new venture created within the past 5 years (e.g., startup, small business, or social enterprise) are welcome to apply to be a presenter at WIE Connect. Presentations are NOT investor or sales pitches, but should provide information that is useful for a mixed audience to understand what you are doing with your venture as well as some challenges or questions for which you would like some fresh perspective, expert advice, new ideas, or leads for help or resources.
Apply here: go.gies.illinois.edu/WIEConnectApplication
Who Should Participate?
Women and equity-minded allies (all genders) who are committed to contributing to a supportive community and increasing access to knowledge, resources, and networks for women in the entrepreneurship ecosystem are welcome. WIE Connect is for both novice and experienced entrepreneurs, students with a desire to learn more about entrepreneurship, and professionals, educators, students, and entrepreneurship ecosystem supporters who want to help entrepreneurs with thoughtful questions, new insights, expertise, or connections.
WIE Connect is NOT a formal “professional networking” event that requires a formal dress code. This is a friendly, informal community. Please join us if you want to learn, build community, and support women entrepreneurs and innovators. For questions, contact Valeri Werpetinski at werpetin@illinois.edu.
Register for Spring 2022 WIE Connect Events
All events are located in Rm 2063 BIF (Business Instructional Facility), 515 E Gregory Dr.
Tues, Jan 25, 5-6 PM: go.gies.illinois.edu/WIEConnect012522
Tues, Feb 22, 5-6 PM: go.gies.illinois.edu/WIEConnect022222
Tues, Mar 22, 5-6 PM: go.gies.illinois.edu/WIEConnect032222
Tues, Apr 19, 5-6 PM: go.gies.illinois.edu/WIEConnect041922
Program Overview Flyer: WIEConnect_Sp22OverviewFlyer
