Entrepreneurship Portal
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
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5:00 - 7:00 pmJan. 28 | 5-7pm | CIF Monumental Steps | Looking for teammates to move your idea forward? Make your idea a reality at SocialFuse: a pitching, team-building and networking event for you! We'll also answer your questions about the Cozad New Venture Challenge.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
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7:00 - 8:30 pmJan. 29 | 7-8:30pm | CIF 4025 | Have a startup idea and not sure about protecting intellectual property? Come listen to Prof. Joe Barich, a licensed patent attorney and an adjunct professor in the College of Law. He will share valuable insights about protecting your startup idea and answer your questions about patents and trademarks.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
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All DayJoin the U. of I.'s largest venture creation program. Choose from specialized tracks, participate in customized workshops, receive expert mentorship and support tailored to your venture's development. Compete for over $550,000 in funding and prizes! Cozad New Venture Challenge is open to all majors.
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All DayAre you working on innovative projects that address real-world challenges? TEC is accepting nominations for the $20,000 Illinois Innovation Award and the $10,000 Fiddler Innovation Fellowship. Ask a mentor, a faculty member or an academic advisor to nominate you.
Monday, February 9, 2026
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All DayExplore your innovation from a business perspective, develop best practices for conducting customer discovery and prepare to apply for grants with Illinois I-Corps Workshop Series in spring. The skills learned can be applied to any career path. The spring 2026 cohort will be held online. Application is due on Feb. 9, 2026.
Sunday, March 1, 2026
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All DayOption for Grainger graduate students! The Graduate Concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is now available to almost every admitted Grainger graduate student. Learn to tackle the business facets of industry-relevant problems and have these skills officially recognized on your transcript.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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All DayGrainger Engineering undergrads - consider a dual degree! Your primary degree + the ILEE degree.
Monday, June 1, 2026
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All DayOption for Grainger graduate students! The Graduate Concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is now available to almost every admitted Grainger graduate student. Learn to tackle the business facets of industry-relevant problems and have these skills officially recognized on your transcript.
Monday, June 15, 2026
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All DayGrainger Engineering undergrads - consider a dual degree! Your primary degree + the ILEE degree.