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Application Due Date

October 10, 2023

Start Date

End Date

Gallery

Application Due Date

October 10, 2023

Start Date

End Date

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Learn about entrepreneurship from local start-up founders and innovators in an informal setting. No grades. No exams. Just like-minded go-getters exploring what it takes to start and run a business. Research shows that when you are starting your own business, you don't want to do it alone. E2 gives you the opportunity to get the scoop from actual business founders and to bounce your thoughts, ideas and questions off a group of peers... before you launch!

E2 is a six week course taught in person and online, and covers the following topics:

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Define entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and innovation and how each has changed the world. Explore why entrepreneurship is more important than ever and how each generation can uniquely contribute to advancing the field.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

What skills and mindset are required to be an entrepreneur? Review well-known, successful, serial entrepreneurs to identify patterns, habits and practices that led to their success.

Market/Opportunity Analysis

Review the basics of market analysis, the difference between innovation and improvement, and how to put data behind your ideas.

Legal Issues, Patents and Intellectual Property Protection

Explore corporation types, legal issues shared by all small businesses and how to protect and/or patent your product or service.

Entrepreneurial Sales and Marketing

Examine sales concepts and modern marketing strategies, channels and campaigns.

Financial Management for Small Business

How do founders finance their business start-ups? Explore financial concepts and terminology behind any successful business.

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Innovation DuPage adapted our popular E2 curricula for junior high school students and piloted the program in Bensenville Middle Schools. Student participated in a semester-long program, developed business ideas, and participated in a program-culminating pitch competition.

Innovation DuPage is currently seeing other junior high schools throughout DuPage County interested in participating in this program.

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E2 is a six week course taught in person and online, and covers the following topics:

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

What skills and mindset are required to be an entrepreneur? Review well-known, successful, serial entrepreneurs to identify patterns, habits and practices that led to their success.

Market/Opportunity Analysis

Review the basics of market analysis, the difference between innovation and improvement, and how to put data behind your ideas.

Legal Issues, Patents and Intellectual Property Protection

Explore corporation types, legal issues shared by all small businesses and how to protect and/or patent your product or service.

Entrepreneurial Sales and Marketing

Examine sales concepts and modern marketing strategies, channels and campaigns.

Financial Management for Small Business

How do founders finance their business start-ups? Explore financial concepts and terminology behind any successful business.

‍

Innovation DuPage is currently seeing other junior high schools throughout DuPage County interested in participating in this program.

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More information coming soon...

Testimonials

Melvin Henley

PAC Leaders

"The Construction Owner to CEO program was really phenomenal. It allowed me to do exactly what the title suggests: go from being an owner to a CEO! I highly endorse this program, so much so we had our Vice President come in the next season and benefit from it as well!"

Eduardo Salgado

CS Architectural Woodworking

"As a graduate of the Construction Owner-2-CEO program, I can tell you first hand, that Innovation DuPage has helped me scale my business. If you are a small business owner looking to take your business to the next level, enhancing your network, or searching for peer group of likeminded entrepreneurs, Innovation DuPage is the place for you."

Jackie Gomez

HACIA

"It's a really unique opportunity to create and curate a program designed to help business owners succeed and build their business in a very competitive environment. We are excited to partner with Innovation DuPage to create a more diverse and inclusive construction industry."

Yvonne Toney

The Cotton Seed Exchange

“Working with Innovation DuPage for the Owner to CEO program was amazing and the support and education received has really helped me to push my business a little further with new ideas, concepts and understanding the power of collaboration.”

Dr. Afua Aning

My Just Checking In

“ The Innovation DuPage Owner-2-CEO program has provided a pillar of support for our company as we grow into the future. By having a network of experienced professional networks to grow with and learn from, we can replicate a type of support generally restricted to those above the glass ceiling.”

Melissa Villanueva

Brewpoint Coffee

"ID has been an amazing educational and community resource for entrepreneurs. I enjoyed the Owner-2-CEO program and, to this day, still keep in contact with my cohort. ID doesn’t hesitate to connect and highlight business owners for opportunities.”

Brent Hasse

Flat LLC

"ID was hands-on in helping me properly position our product and get in front of the best partners for our company. Their support was instrumental is getting us accepted to the Techstars program, which has already started to shape our Flat and greatly improve our customer success."

Shian Jno-Lewis

The Tidy Queens

“Thank you to Innovation DuPage for creating a space that promotes collaboration among local businesses. The Owner to CEO program equips small business owners with the tools needed to work “on” instead of “in” their businesses. It was a total eye-opener and very beneficial in helping us take our business to greater heights.”

Nick L.

Wove

"As an autistic adult facing challenges in corporate and academic settings, entrepreneurism is vital for my self-sustainability. The capital and mentorship provided by the Neurodiverse Entrepreneur Program was critical to getting my startup off the ground. My company has become profitable just after a year."

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Miftha Syed

InstaPark Elmhurst University Student

"Participating in the Innovation DuPage BIG Idea Pitch Contest was an incredible journey filled with inspiration and growth. I cherished every moment of the experience. It provided me with the perfect platform to launch Instapark. This contest truly ignited my entrepreneurial spirit and reaffirmed my belief in the power of entrepreneurship."

Aaliya Khaja

InstaPark Elmhurst University Student

“The Big Idea Pitch Competition was definitely a remarkable experience for us! Being able to pitch our business idea to many entrepreneurs was exciting and we are excited to work on InstaPark to move forward and develop it into the app we've dreamed about. “

Joe Barron

Gray Matters Games

"As the first member company of Innovation DuPage, we’ve grown up together. I love being able to bounce different ideas off of other entrepreneurs, it saves all of us time, it saves us money, and takes our business to the next level."

Maureen Longoria & Lisa Burns

LivNow Relocation

"Innovation DuPage has brought us resources beyond belief. They’ve made connections with us that we could have never made on our own. What they have brought to LivNow Relocation is absolutely priceless."

Keith Wakeman

SuperBetter

“Kassidy (Our Intern) provided value to the SuperBetter company from day one. She provided valuable feedback on product design, created newsletters to update our SuperBetter community, and rolled up her sleeves to help get it done.”