If you are excited about experiencing entrepreneurship next semester, we want to hear from you. Our team is working hard to plan our startup services in the new year. Next semester, our goal is to recruit up to 30 teams who want to compete in the Intinium-led business plan competition in June, PITCH@IllinoisTech. Participants will become members of the Kaplan Institute starting in January. Members will meet with the Kaplan team on a regular basis to help you set goals for your business, and connect you with mentors who could help advance your business goals. We will also be able to provide a little funding to support prototyping and other business development needs. By participating in the business plan competition, you’ll have a chance to win a significant cash prize, not to mention you’ll get feedback and exposure to venture capital investors and potential angel investors.

We’re also looking for 5 of the 30 teams to provide feedback on our mentoring services and participate in our “Living Lab”, an opportunity to work more closely with us so you can help refine our venture services. In exchange for your help, we will assign dedicated space to your team in the Crown Studio at the Kaplan Institute and will include you in the brainstorming session for the eventual naming of our membership program!

We’re looking for startups at all stages of development. While we’re excited to meet with entrepreneurs who have already tested their ideas in the market, we’re very open to working with teams who are still noodling on business concepts. If you don’t have an idea, please get in touch with our team at membership@kaplan.iit.edu with a list of your skills and interests, and we’ll connect you with teams who are looking for co-founders.

We look forward to hearing about your business idea! Click here to apply!