iSPI

Our Sangamon CEO Class of high school entrepreneurs have launched their campaign for their 2024 Class Business. They are asking for your help to bring a stunning Christmas tree to Springfield's downtown. Just as Frosty's magic hat brought him to life, the Sangamon CEO students want to crown downtown Springfield with something magical - a towering Christmas tree topped with Abraham Lincoln's iconic hat. This holiday display will bring festivities to our city, help revitalize our downtown, and bring our community together. Your donation will help create a new holiday tradition that celebrates Springfield's Lincoln Heritage and the holiday spirit. https://lnkd.in/dhG8PMM3

??Congratulations to our student entrepreneurs Kayode O., Ayomide Onayemi, and their team on winning $10,000 seed funding in our "Founders Failures Fun" event last week at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Don't miss our next "Founders, Failure & Fun" event on November 14! Details will be updated soon. University of Illinois Springfield, Illini Angels @ Illinois Ventures, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Illinois Ventures #uisedu #networking #startuplife #entreprenuership #innovatespringfield #entrepreneurmindset #funding

Your chance to meet a successful founder, CEO, and venture capitalist in Lincoln's historic halls! Next Monday evening, we're turning the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum into startup central with Mark Achler – and you won't want to miss this! Why clear your calendar for October 28th? ** Learn from a 4x founder who's been in your shoes ** Get insider VC insights from MATH Venture Partners ** Watch local founders compete in our pitch competition (BIG PRIZE for the WINNER!!!) ** Network with Central Illinois' most ambitious innovators ?? 6:30 - 8:30 PM ??? Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum ?? 212 N. 6th St., Springfield RSVP NOW: https://lnkd.in/g3tU5FtP Fun fact: You'll be talking startups in the same city where one of America's greatest innovators (Abe himself) changed history! See you Monday! Drop a ??♂? below if you're coming! #FoundersFailuresFun #SpringfieldStartups #InnovateSpringfield #StartupIL Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, NPR, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois Ventures

Here is our reminder for "Founders, Failures & Fun" The countdown is on -- RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g3tU5FtP ??? Oct 28, 6:30-8:30 PM ?? Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Don't miss this chance to: ? Learn from both triumphs and stumbles in the startup world ? Gain tech insights from a seasoned venture capitalist, founder, and executive ? Network with likeminded people ? Be part of the Startup Roadmap Pitch Competition Our special guest is Mark Achler. ? 4x CEO, ? 4x founder ? Managing Director at MATH Venture Partners He has 40+ years in tech entrepreneurship, and his insights are pure gold! Free registration. CASH bar available. Stick around for the happy hour - because great ideas often spark over casual convos! #InnovateSpringfield #StartupLife #NetworkingEvent #FoundersFailureFun See you there! ??

?? Exciting News! ?? We are thrilled to announce that iSPI is now officially active on Twitter! ?? Follow us for the latest updates, insights, and engaging content. We’re eager to connect with our community and share our journey. ?? Follow us at https://x.com/ispi62703 and join the conversation! Thank you for your continued support! #innovation #networking #entreprenuership University of Illinois Springfield.

?? Start your Friday on a high note! Join us for breakfast at iSPI, and bring a friend along. ?? Friday, Oct. 4. ? This event is open to the public and completely free. We encourage you to register to ensure we have plenty of food for everyone. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gUBnigMv #networking #entreprenuership #innovation #uisedu University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Springfield, Inc., Isringhausen Imports, Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln

Calling all members, students and community entrepreneurs. Join us at our next Founders, Failure & Fun with guest speaker Mark Achler, founder, CEO, author and venture capitalist. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g3tU5FtP

??? Exciting News! Our podcast "Community Voices" in partnership with NPR Illinois has just launched its first episode! ?? ?? Episode Title:?"Founders, Failure & Fun" ?? Featured Guest: Entrepreneur Paul Couston shares his expertise at Innovate Springfield's 'Founders, Failures & Fun' event. ?? In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey, exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between. Paul Couston offers invaluable insights that you don't want to miss. ?? Subscribe and listen now: https://lnkd.in/dQQrAGKZ Shoutout to Randy Eccles, and Vanessa Ferguson at NPR Illinois for editing and publishing the podcast. Community Voices airs on NPR Illinois on Weekdays - noon and 5 pm, and Saturdays 5 - 7 pm. Don't forget to register for our next Founders, Failure & Fun event on October 28: https://lnkd.in/g3tU5FtP #CommunityVoices #Entrepreneurship #NPRIllinois #FoundersJourney #StartupLife #InnovateSpringfield University of Illinois Springfield ,Illini Angels @ Illinois Ventures, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, University of Illinois Research Park, The Grainger College of Engineering

?? Big news! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our podcast: "Founders, Failure & Fun" ??? Proudly hosted and produced in partnership with?NPR Illinois. ?? Dive into the world of entrepreneurship, learn from failures, and discover the fun in the journey! ?? Give it a listen now and share your thoughts! https://lnkd.in/g2kHgsnE Subscribe for Community Voices: https://lnkd.in/giCgHxqK?????? #FoundersFailureFun #NPRIllinois #EntrepreneurshipPodcast ?????????????????

Check out our latest "Founders, Failure & Fun" post-event summary. Here's what we've got for you: ? Insights from Paul Couston, a second-time founder with stories that'll make your entrepreneurial hearts race. ? Video highlights from our recent event (in case you missed it!) ? An exclusive reveal of our next mystery guest speaker (but only if you take the survey ??) - Take our survey here: https://lnkd.in/ghFx6D25 Read our Founders, Failure & Fun summary here: https://lnkd.in/gutam-uY Watch our highlights here: https://lnkd.in/gFAdjmfe #InnovateSpringfield #StartupCommunity #FoundersFailureAndFun University of Illinois Springfield, Illini Angels @ Illinois Ventures, NPR Illinois, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.