Illinois brings entrepreneurs from around the country back to campus for inaugural ‘Founders Week’

Dr. Gerald Wilson speaks at Founders Week

Innovators and inventors alike took part in panels, networking, and more during the three-day event

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted the inaugural ‘Founders Week’ last weekend, celebrating the university's notable track record in entrepreneurship and coalescing the broad ecosystem around what's next. The three-day event attracted nearly 300 people, including Illinois alumni and supporters of the university from around the country.

Audience members ask questions during the Summit on Capitalizing New Ventures in Illinois
Audience members ask questions during
the Summit on Capitalizing New Ventures
in Illinois

Gerald Wilson, the university’s Director of Entrepreneurship, spearheaded the organization of the event, working closely with OVCRI and Research Park as well as other entrepreneurship-focused units across campus. The packed program included presentations like ‘Emerging Technologies & Innovation Ecosystems,’ ‘The Importance of Investing in Women and Minority Participation in University of Illinois’ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem,’ a ‘Startup Pitch Competition,’ and more. Many students were also able to take part, growing their networks as they prepare to blaze their own trails as entrepreneurs.

“I wanted Founders Week to tap into the connections we all share to the University in our call to action to get everyone engaged and contributing to building the future of Illini entrepreneurship,” said Director of Entrepreneurship Dr. Gerald Wilson. 

Paul Burton, Susan Martinis, and Laura Appenzeller
Paul Burton, Susan Martinis, and
Laura Appenzeller

Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Susan Martinis, who moderated and spoke at several Founders Week sessions, said the inaugural event was an inspiring success. 

“Our network of innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs is second to none,” said Martinis. “We’re working hard to keep them connected to Illinois, even if their career takes them all around the country and to the corners of the Earth.”

While the event was a celebration of past and present excellence in entrepreneurship, Wilson said it also serves as a guide for what’s next.

“I think it’s a blueprint for how we need to engage both internal and external audiences going forward,” said Wilson. “Experienced founders mentoring and advising new founders, faculty members getting to talk to Illini Angel investors about their innovations, and attendees commenting on how awesome it was to be a part of Founders Week and expressing an interest in doing it again.”


Oct 24, 2024