Welcome New ID Members: 

• Semiautomatic Semiotics: Zenah Khawaja
  •  Semiautomatic Semiotics develops immersive AR/VR solutions for digital signage, focusing on enhancing consumer experiences through advanced 3D technology.

Much Appreciated:
Thank you to Ron Farnum of Damen Jackson and Forge Brandworks for his insightful presentation at our recent Member Meetup. Attendees gained insight in branding, design, and marketing strategy, drawing from Ron's impressive 25-year career in the field. His personal journey through the industry offered valuable lessons and inspiration to all. You can always access our presentations here.

Congrats!
Congratulations to Joe Cassidy, President of Innovation DuPage, on joining the Board of Directors of The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC)! This appointment to ISTC, a key advocate for Illinois' research and innovation communities, highlights Innovation DuPage's dedication to advancing the state's tech ecosystem. We applaud Joe's commitment to fostering collaboration among Illinois' leading innovators and look forward to the positive impact of this partnership.

Interns: 

• For the 5th year in a row, Innovation DuPage is rolling out our InternPlus Program! This initiative connects our members with talented College of DuPage students for paid, professional positions. ID members get the subsidy by having to pay only half the cost of minimum wage, so instead of paying $15 and hour, a member only pays $7.50, and ID picks up the other half. Please visit our website to apply for the program (by September 11th) and submit your job description here.

• In addition to the InternPlus Program, Innovation DuPage members have an opportunity to collaborate with exceptional high school students from the Illinois Science and Math Academy (IMSA). These interns are available once a week to assist with your projects at no cost. Currently, these internships are conducted remotely, but with sufficient interest from ID members, IMSA may consider on-site arrangements at Innovation DuPage. Please note that while IMSA will strive to match students with projects, there are no guarantees of placement. Apply and mention your ID membership by September 25th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdN746VB9kHBWP00gw2dOlalzcrezTfIjhXjP3pUfw-2sGxSQ/viewform

Coming Up: 

• Grant Writing Workshop, 08.28: Join Melissa Villanueva, Brewpoint Coffee CEO and Innovation DuPage's Entrepreneur in Residence, to learn strategic grant writing. Melissa has grown her business from a single shop to a thriving enterprise, raising $650,000+ in grants without equity loss. Discover how to craft compelling narratives, use AI to enhance proposals, and align opportunities with your goals. Gain insights on storytelling, prioritization, identifying opportunities, and building funder relationships to perfect your grant pitch. To secure your spot, click here.
• Public Relations Workshop, 09.25: Are you producing exceptional work, but struggling to reach your target audience? Join us at ID for our next workshop hosted by Marcella Raymond. In this hands-on session, you'll discover how to identify and showcase the most promotable aspects of your business. Learn the art of crafting compelling press releases and pitches that capture media attention. Gain insider knowledge on matching your story with the most suitable news outlets and reporters. Throughout the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to brainstorm and refine your ideas with expert guidance. To secure your spot, click here.
• Member Meetup, 09.04: At our upcoming Member Meetup, Kaitlyn Kaese of Rise Fitness will be presenting as our Member Spotlight and Dawn Smith from Downtown Glen Ellyn will be presenting as our Member Resource. We hope to see you there!

Sign up to present at an upcoming Member Meetup: 
Showcase your business at our upcoming Member Meetup! We're looking for members to present as our Member Spotlight, ID Member Resource, or host a Problem Solving session. This is your chance to present your work, share your achievements, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Reach out to IDvermaa@innovationdupage.org and CC IDanushkav@gmail.com to sign up.

Let us help you share your success with the ID community!
Share a win from this week – big or small. It could be featured in our next letter! Email your accomplishment to: IDmaceyh@innovationdupage.org

Happy Labor Day!
In observance of the national holiday, there will not be ID Staff present on Monday, 09.02.

Many thanks, and have a great week,

Dan Facchini,
Managing Director,
Innovation DuPage