Entrepreneurship Calendar

Taking place Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during the World Business Chicago Venture Summit, the Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge gives selected teams the chance to pitch to investors and win prizes!

Experience technology innovation first-hand. At the Silicon Valley Entrepreneurship Workshop (SVEW), you'll interact with corporate leaders, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurial alumni in various stages of a startup life cycle that share lessons learned about entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. Apply by October 1!

Cozad is the University of Illinois’ signature student startup program, giving students the opportunity to develop an idea, build a team, connect with experienced mentors and entrepreneurs, strengthen their business and pitching skills, and compete for funding and other resources to help move their venture forward.