Innovate Springfield

The UIS New Venture Challenge is tomorrow, Thursday, April 23 at Innovate Springfield and you do not want to miss it!

Sangamon CEO students have spent the entire year learning from founders and CEOs, visiting real businesses, and building ventures from the ground up. Tomorrow, they take the stage for a live startup pitch competition in front of expert judges.

Join us for student exhibits, 5-minute pitch presentations, Q&A with judges, networking, awards, and a pizza party to close out an incredible day.

Free and open to the public. Space is limited. Register here: https://uisits.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4YfaPlQKd186MXc
📍 1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, IL
🕐 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

The UIS New Venture Challenge is this Thursday, April 23 at Innovate Springfield and you do not want to miss it!
Sangamon CEO students have spent the entire year learning from founders and CEOs, visiting real businesses, and building ventures from the ground up. On April 23, they take the stage for a live startup pitch competition in front of expert judges.
Join us for student exhibits, 5-minute pitch presentations, Q&A with judges, networking, awards, and a pizza party to close out an incredible day.
Free and open to the public. Space is limited. Register here: https://uisits.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4YfaPlQKd186MXc
📍 1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, IL
🕐 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

What role does regulation play in shaping entrepreneurial opportunity? Join us April 10 as Dr. Barbara Kolm and Dr. Per Bylund tackle that question and more.
Free event, open to all
RSVP here: https://luma.com/8hpbm8tm

Our February Newsletter is here.

This month at Innovate Springfield, we are highlighting the momentum building across our community of founders, investors, and small business leaders.

Inside this issue:
• A Founder Spotlight featuring Dr. Chaitanya Mamillapalli and his work at the intersection of healthcare and technology
• The launch of our AI in Business course and practical AI applications for small businesses
• Angel Flight School sessions focused on cap tables, valuations, and smart early stage investing
• Startup Roadmap 8 founders strengthening their path toward pitch readiness

We are proud to support innovation at every stage, from idea to investment.

Read the full February Newsletter here:
https://innovatespringfield.kit.com/posts/innovate-springfield-february-newsletter-founders-capital-ai?_gl=1*1y944p0*_gcl_au*MTExODkxNDM3OS4xNzcxODc2MDEwLjEwNzY1MDEwNTUuMTc3MjUxNzU3OC4xNzcyNTE3NTc4

The AI Workshop begins tonight at Innovate Springfield.

This 6 week, hands on program is designed to help small business owners move from experimenting with AI to implementing it in practical, meaningful ways.

Led by Daniel Reifenberger, participants will identify key bottlenecks, build AI powered workflows, and create systems that save time and support revenue growth.

Thursdays, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
3rd Floor Classroom

Confirm attendance
https://luma.com/rjlg33jd

Register below

Non members
https://www.uis.edu/event/innovate-springfield/all-lazy-ways-be-more-profitable-ai-small-business

Members
https://innovatespringfield.cobot.me/event/2026-02-25-all-the-lazy-ways-to-be-more-profitable-with-ai-5d09fa9af3a76a492dea1ac868474308

AI doesn’t have to be complicated. It should make your business easier.

Join us for All the Lazy Ways to Be More Profitable with AI for Small Business, a 6-week, hands-on workshop at Innovate Springfield.

You don’t need a tech background. You don’t need to “be into AI.”You just need a business and something that could run more efficiently.

By the end of the program, you’ll have a real solution built and running in your business.

📅 Wednesdays, Feb 25 – April 1
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Innovate Springfield

Workshop Fee: $550
Innovate Springfield Members: 50% off ($275)
Register here:
Non-members: https://www.uis.edu/event/innovate-springfield/all-lazy-ways-be-more-profitable-ai-small-business
Members: https://innovatespringfield.cobot.me/event/2026-02-25-all-the-lazy-ways-to-be-more-profitable-ai-5d09fa9af3a76a492dea1ac868474308
Spots are limited.

Want to save time and make more money using AI without making your business more complicated?

Innovate Springfield is hosting a 6-session, in-person workshop series for local business owners who want practical ways to use AI to improve how their business runs.

The workshop is led by Daniel Reifenberger, a Springfield startup founder with 13 years of business experience and over 3 years of hands-on AI implementation. Each session focuses on solving real business problems like finding more customers, streamlining operations, and freeing up your time.

Who should attend:
• Business owners under $1M in revenue, including brick-and-mortar and service businesses
• Students interested in helping local businesses implement AI

Details:
• In person at Innovate Springfield
• Six weekly sessions
• 2 hours per session
• 3rd floor classroom

Interested? Fill out the interest form here:
https://uisits.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9nKWZT2mMtoTFY
We will follow up with dates, pricing, and registration details based on responses.

Our January 2026 Newsletter Is Live
As we begin 2026, Innovate Springfield is building on a milestone year with renewed energy and stronger programming. In this month’s newsletter, Executive Director Rob Kerr reflects on momentum, leadership, and what’s next for innovation in Springfield and Central Illinois.
You’ll also find updates from Startup Roadmap 8, Angel Flight School, InnovateED: AI in the Classroom, and the Sangamon CEO Program.
Read the full January 2026 Newsletter here:
https://innovatespringfield.kit.com/posts/innovate-springfield-january-2026-newsletter-rob-kerr-on-momentum-and-what-s-next-at-innovate-springfield

🌟 November Member Spotlight: Steve Peralta of Krasan Consulting 🌟
Our November Member Spotlight features Steve Peralta, VP of Client Engagement (SLED) at Krasan Consulting!
Steve brings 30+ years of CRM experience and has led major initiatives with:
• Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology
• Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
• Illinois State Police
• Springfield Public Schools District 186
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
• Bank of Springfield
He also dedicates his time to supporting the community through Christ the King Parish, the Knights of Columbus, CILCSA, and ITSE.
📖 Read Steve’s full Spotlight article here:
https://innovatespringfield.kit.com/posts/member-spotlight-steve-peralta
Help us celebrate Steve! 👏💙