Elevating small businesses. Elevating our communities.
This free, nine-month program is a collaborative effort among the U of I System’s Office of Procurement Diversity (OPD), Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation (OVPEDI), and the U of I Corporate Relations Council.
Businesses will engage with University of Illinois student consulting teams to solve key problems, while also increasing their knowledge base and skill sets during monthly themed workshops. The program is intended to help small businesses advance to their next level of operation and enhance the business landscape in Illinois.
This program is an example of the U of I System’s commitment to encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of life. The system also fosters inclusive and equitable economic development opportunities to improve the quality of life for all Illinoisans.