As the director of Innovate Springfield, the University of
Illinois Springfield’s business incubator, I’m excited to share the momentum
we’re building within our entrepreneurial community. Since joining iSPI in
August last year, our team has worked to ignite Springfield’s startup scene
with fresh, dynamic programming. Today, I’m proud to say we’re achieving that
vision.
Our “Founders, Failure & Fun” speaker series launched in
September and has become a cornerstone of our mission to bring world-class
entrepreneurial insights to our backyard. In addition to hosting these events,
we’re creating meaningful connections.
We partnered with NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” to share
valuable conversations with our broader community. I’ve had the privilege of
interviewing inspiring founders, such as Paul Couston, CEO of Ascent
Integrated, who captivated our audience with his journey from working in his
parents’ dental office to securing defense contracts. More recently, Mark
Achler – founder, CEO, author and venture capitalist – shared Redbox’s
remarkable story of transforming Walmart’s initial rejection into a nationwide
partnership, offering a master class in empathy and delivering customer value.
One of our exciting achievements has been our comprehensive
eight-week workshop program, the Startup Roadmap, where we guide entrepreneurs
through every crucial step of their startup journey. From developing their
startup canvas to perfecting their pitch, we provide the practical tools and
knowledge to help them transform innovative ideas into successful ventures.
I’m especially proud to share that in our inaugural pitch
competition, local entrepreneur and UIS student Kayode Ojedele won the $10,000
grand prize for his company, Tredbase. Kayode’s success validates our mission
at Innovate Springfield and highlights the exceptional entrepreneurial talent
we’re fostering in central Illinois. I want to thank our sponsor, Sommer Family
Office, for generously providing the prize money.
We celebrate every victory, big and small. Recently, we
applauded our member Harry Elston for publishing his book, “Thrive Solo,” a
testament to the depth of entrepreneurial expertise within our community. Harry
will be providing a workshop on how to run a company as a solo entrepreneur.
These achievements contribute to Illinois’ impressive track
record – more than 550 companies spawned from the University of Illinois alone,
raising more than $21 billion. Our universities rank among the top five
nationally for alumni founders. We are proud of our partnership with Illinois
Ventures, the venture arm of the University of Illinois. Through its Angel
Network, we provided angel investing education to our community. By acquiring
this knowledge, more family offices can participate in and support the
entrepreneurial journeys of our members.
We also welcomed new corporate members and partners:
Accenture, a global consulting group; DivIHN Integration Inc., a technology
consulting service; Krasan and PS2G, two government technology consulting
groups; and the Office of Medicaid Innovation.
We can’t forget about our high school programs, including
the beloved Sangamon CEO program and the newly established Engineering for High
Tech program. We cherish our partnership with the Capital Area Career Center
and area high schools. Through these programs, we educate more than 80 high
school students on entrepreneurship and robotics, strengthening our community’s
tech and entrepreneurial talent.
We thank our sponsors who helped us launch the Engineering
for High Tech Program, including Richard and Charlene Osborne; Horace Mann;
Levi, Ray & Shoup and the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. Additional
support was provided by the UIS Chancellor’s Fund for Innovation and
Opportunity.
I’m extending you a personal invitation to join our thriving
community. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just beginning to explore
your business idea, Innovate Springfield has a place for you. Our next
“Founders, Failure & Fun” event, scheduled for Dec. 12, will feature
Brandon Yates, co-founder and CEO of DeepWalk. I’d love to see you there.
What excites me most is proving that you don’t need to be in
Silicon Valley to build a successful startup. As Couston shared from his
experience, the lower cost of operating in our region can be a significant
advantage for growing businesses. We’re building something special in
Springfield – a supportive ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access expert
guidance, connect with like-minded innovators and find the resources they need
to succeed.
If you’ve ever considered starting a business, improving
your existing one or simply want to be part of Springfield’s entrepreneurial
community, I encourage you to reach out. Attend our events, join our workshops
and become a member. Together, let’s build the future of Springfield’s business
landscape.
The door at Innovate Springfield is always open, and I look
forward to personally welcoming you to our community of makers and doers.
Ben Hage is the director of the University of Illinois
Springfield’s business incubator, Innovate Springfield. He is a leader in
entrepreneurship, leadership development and business education. Learn more
about iSPI at uis.edu/innovation.
This article appears in Winter Guide 2024.
