Big Idea Pitch Contest: Come Support! 
Join us tomorrow at College of DuPage's HEC Building as student finalists pitch their innovative business concepts to expert judges. These talented entrepreneurs will compete for $12,000 in prizes to launch their ventures. Support local innovation in action! Free admission, click here to learn more and register. 

Coming up:

• Looking for investment opportunities for your startup? Rally 2025, hosted by Elevate Ventures, features the nation's largest cross-sector pitch competition with up to $5M in total investments available. Startups can compete in five industry tracks (Software, Healthcare, HardTech, Ag & Food, and SportsTech), with winners receiving up to $1M in investment. Finalists will pitch live in Indianapolis (September 24-25) and gain access to an exclusive investor networking event. This is an outstanding chance to gain national visibility and secure valuable funding. Applications are due May 12th, learn more and apply here. 
• Member Meetup, 05.14: Join us for our next Member Meetup featuring Shazor Khan of Scaylor as our Member Spotlight and Lindsay Harmon, business librarian at Naperville Public Library, as our Member Resource who will showcase the NaperLaunch program with its two tracks - one for starting a business and one for growing your existing venture.
• NaperLaunch Academy: Growing a Business, 05.14: Join Naperville Public Library for a four-week series focused on helping you grow your business. You will learn how to write a business and strategic marketing plan, explore library resources for entrepreneurs, and master six key professional sales skills. To get the most out of the program, participants should attend all sessions and complete homework assignments outside of class. Register here.
• WGN Radio, Your Money Matters: Far + Switt, Local Glass Studio, 05.21: Tune in to "Your Money Matters" with Jon Hansen on WGN Radio AM 720 on Wednesday, May 21st at 6:30 p.m. to hear from Innovation DuPage member companies Farr + Swit and Local Glass Studio! Adam Hodge of Farr + Swit and Brenda Bickett from Local Glass Studio, both Owner-2-CEO graduates, will join Dan Facchini to share their individual entrepreneurial journeys — Adam crafting premium timepieces with style and purpose, while Brenda fosters a creative community around the art of glassmaking!

Much Appreciated
Thank you to Tony LaPalio, Owner-2-CEO graduate and Founder/CEO of Senior Tech Support, and Mike Fumagalli, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning at Glenbard High School District 87, for their presentations at our previous Member Meetup. Attendees got to hear about Tony's innovative approach to making technology accessible for seniors and Mike's insights on how the INCubatoredu program is developing the next generation of entrepreneurs through hands-on learning and community mentorship.

ID Room Reservations Are Now Available!
You can now reserve a room through the ID Member Portal. Contact Anushka Verma, ID's IT Project Manager, to guide you through the platform - whether it's to reserve an office, to log in for the first time, or to help you navigate specific features of the portal.  She's here to help!

Connect with Cleantech Leaders on CTLR's New Slack Channel
The Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR) has launched an exclusive Slack channel that's already connecting over 50 industry leaders. If you work in the cleantech industry, this is your opportunity to join this growing professional community.

The platform offers a valuable space to network with peers, share insights, and stay updated on the latest industry developments. Take advantage of this new resource to expand your connections in the clean technology sector. Contact Dan Facchini to learn more. 

LinkedIn Badges
Enhance your professional profile by adding Innovation DuPage to LinkedIn!

• Members can add "Innovation DuPage Member" under the "Experience" tab.
• Mentors can showcase their contributions under "Volunteering."
• Owner-2-CEO Program graduates can add their achievement under "Licenses & Certifications."

Updating your profile helps tell your unique entrepreneurship journey while connecting with our dynamic ID community.

Sign up to present at an upcoming Member Meetup 
Showcase your business at a 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. Sign up here.

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 Hannah Macey.

Reminder: Innovation DuPage is open for members as a coworking space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Many thanks, and have a great week,

Dan Facchini,
Managing Director,
Innovation DuPage