Innovation Dupage

Innovation Dupage is a non-profit venture that unites startup founders and small business owners with the people, resources, and programs that help them grow. Members collaborate across an extensive network of enterprise, academic, economic development, and research partners. Innovation Dupage supports the startup community, enhances regional prosperity, attracts world-class talent, and drives sustainable economic growth. The organization fosters Innovation and supports and encourages the growth of jobs, companies and economic development in Dupage county and surrounding midwest region by providing entrepreneurs access to education and training resources, business and community support, capital, and customers.

Part of the mission of Innovation Dupage is to foster entrepreneurship interest among college and high school students. To that end, pitch competitions are sponsored wherein aspiring entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of independent judges with successful entrepreneurial backgrounds. Prizes are awarded to encourage these contestants to continue to pursue their endeavors. Innovation Dupage contributed $12,500 toward such prize monies in fy 2023.

Innovation Dupage offers a 12-week program twice per year, titled "owner to ceo." This program is offered to owners of small businesses with revenues in the $200,000 to $2 million range in order to help augment their skills in a number of areas in order to be more effective in the management of their businesses. The program saw a dozen or so instructors/experts teach classes in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, information technology, and sales. The expense amount included here represents the cost incurred to run this program.