What is MEEN?
The Midwest Engineering Entrepreneurship Network (MEEN) supports the efforts of Midwest technology entrepreneurship institutions through collaboration in educating, supporting, and connecting innovators to the ecosystem spanning the region. The geographic spread, diverse industrial base, and scale of the network facilitates the sharing of resources, connections and best practices, among the institutions involved. MEEN currently includes more than 30 universities which account for approximately $16B in federal research funding.
MEEN was established in 2011 by the University of Illinois Technology Entrepreneur Center and the University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship.
Annual Conference | August 10-11, 2021
In person & virtual options are available.
Annually, MEEN holds a conference aimed at sharing best practices and methods for overcoming challenges unique to Midwest engineering entrepreneurship centers. Each year, a different university hosts the MEEN Conference. You are invited!
WHEN | Tuesday, August 10, 12:00-4:30pm CST & Wednesday, August 11, 8:30am-12:30pm CST
WHERE | Big Ten Conference Center, 5440 Park Place, Rosemont, Illinois
To learn more about the venue, please visit go.illinois.edu/big10
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
HOSTED BY | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign & University of Michigan
NEW COVID-19 INFORMATION | This week, given new information on the Delta variant currently circulating the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) added a public health recommendation stating: Everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, must wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission. The Big Ten Conference headquarters is in Cook County, which was identified as one of those areas. In accordance with CDC guidelines, the Big Ten Conference is requiring all staff and guests wear masks in the building. All guests will need to wear a mask inside the Conference Center at all times (except when eating and drinking). Currently, no distancing guidelines or capacity limits have been placed.
Who should attend
This conference is open to University administration, faculty and staff working with technology entrepreneurship. Among others, representatives from entrepreneurship centers, technology commercialization offices, entrepreneurship education are encouraged to attend.
There is no fee to attend this event, but participants are responsible for providing their own transportation and accommodations.
Why you should attend
- Learn about Midwest opportunities for I-Corps
- Find how other universities are breaking down the educational silos
- Hear best practices in engineering entrepreneurship from other universities
- Describe a challenge you are having and learn how the MEEN network may help
We look forward to sharing and exploring new ideas and tackling the common problems we all face.
Conference Lodging
- 9700 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont, IL
- Discounted Rate: $139/night + Free Parking
- ALOFT Chicago is within walking distance to the Big 10 Conference Center (0.1 miles)
- You must reserve your room by Friday, July 23, 2021 to guarantee room availability at the discounted rate.
- Book your room here for the discounted conference rate.
2021 Conference Agenda
DAY 1: Tuesday, August 10
12:00pm
Welcome Lunch | Check-In & Networking
1:00pm
Welcome from Illinois & Michigan | Opening Remarks
1:10pm
Goals for MEEN | Conference Objectives | Agenda Overview
- Jed Taylor | Executive Director, Technology Entrepreneur Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1:20pm
Group Introductions
- 30 second introduction from each person in attendance
- Format: Name, Institution, One fun fact or reason why they are here
2:00pm
I-Corps Update | How to Engage | Q&A
- Jonathan Fay | Executive Director, Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Michigan
2:30pm
Break | With Refreshments
3:00pm
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (with a Focus on Equity & Inclusion)
- Lynford Goddard | Founding Director, Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access
The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
4:30pm
Wrap Up | End of Day 1
6:00-7:30pm
Optional Networking Dinner
- Walking distance | Guests each pay for their own dinner
- Park Tavern | Reservation held for 20
- Morton’s | Reservation held for 10
DAY 2: Wednesday, August 11, 2021
8:30am
Welcome & Breakfast
9:00am
Celebrated Failures
5 min. story, 5 min. Q&A
- 9:00am | Stephanie Larson | Failures Over the Virtual Year
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - 9:12am | Mark Karasek | Course for AI/Analytics Startups
Northwestern University - 9:24am | Ed Moore | I-Corps & Medical Student Capstone
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - 9:36am | Latane Brackett & Talmesha Richards | I4 Virtual Programming
National GEM Consortium - 9:48am | Mike Seper | St. Louis Entrepreneurial Fellowship
Washington University
10:00am
Regional Industry Partnerships & Consortiums
- Stephanie Larson | Associate Director of Student Programs
Technology Entrepreneur Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
10:45am
Break
11:00am
Mentorship Across the Network
- Jonathan Fay | Executive Director, Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Michigan - Carla Pavone | Associate Director, Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Minnesota
11:45am
Closing Remarks | Next Steps for MEEN | Announce 2021 Conference Location
- Stephanie Larson | Associate Director of Student Programs
Technology Entrepreneur Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
11:50am-12:30pm
Grab-n-Go Lunch
12:30pm
Adjourn | Safe Travels!
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Past participants include: Iowa State University, Penn State, Wayne State, Illinois Institute of Technology, Michigan Technological University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Akron, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota and others.
Past hosts include: Iowa State University (2019), University of Nebraska (2018), University of Iowa (2017), University of Minnesota (2016), University of Chicago (2016), Purdue University (2015), Northwestern University (2014), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2013), and University of Michigan (2012).
