As a proud Ph.D. graduate of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, my journey has taken me from conducting cutting-edge research as a graduate researcher to co-founding a company that emerged from a deep tech platform developed as part of that research within this very ecosystem. Leveraging the resources and networks available at Illinois, our team successfully translated innovation into real-world market impact—a process that has profoundly shaped my perspective on the unique value of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In this talk, I will discuss how entrepreneurship serves as a critical source of competitive advantage for the University of Illinois. By fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, we enhance our ability to attract top-tier faculty and students, secure federal and sponsored research funding, and prepare our students to excel in a labor market increasingly demanding uniquely human skills—such as vision, creativity, adaptability, and strategic thinking—cultivated through an entrepreneurial mindset.
I will share our vision for entrepreneurship at Illinois, detailing our current ecosystem’s structure, resources, and impact, while outlining our strategic priorities for the future as we strive to build a powerful community of committed stakeholders across campus and beyond.
Finally, I will highlight how faculty and students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering can embrace this vision and actively engage in shaping and enhancing our entrepreneurial ecosystem to further our institution’s mission of leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.