Other Opportunities
Sandbox
Supported by Apple’s Community Education Initiative, Sandbox offers a Swift Basics Certification program for foundation iOS app development. For a flexible learning experience, the Open-Source Sandbox allows participants to customize their journey through workshops and boot camps covering topics such as career exploration, spatial computing, app, design, and health equity.
Summer Venture Accelerator
The Accelerator will not be running in Summer 2025.
During the summer, the Innovation Center hosts a group of 7 teams who will work on developing their startup ideas. This is a 9-week program that will help you move your new venture from concept toward launch. The program is open to current undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges across the university.
We are looking for teams that:
(1) Have exciting and feasible idea-stage venture concepts from a diversity of business /organizational categories (e.g., physical products, digital services, social/charitable concepts, etc.). All are welcome!
(2) Are serious about getting their ventures started and are committed to working for 9 full weeks in the summer.
(3) Can be present in-person for all formal programming.
The program gives you access to:
Summer Venture Accelerator
- Coaching: Dedicated guidance and support via weekly check-in and coaching sessions to learn essential skills to launch a successful startup.
- Community: Through weekly family-style dinners, peer sharing and feedback sessions, up to seven teams will be part of our collaborative and mutually supportive community of UIC student entrepreneurs while building your personal network.
- Connections: Guest speakers and workshop facilitators from the wider startup community in Chicago and beyond. Additionally, a mentor with expertise relevant to your concept will be identified and recruited.
- Co-working Space: Access to co-working space at the Innovation Center for the length of the program.
- And more!