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Spark Series Programming
Spark Series Programming
Spark Series offers experiential entrepreneurship programming designed to support early-stage venture exploration and development by UIC students. Through hands-on events, structured learning opportunities, mentorship, and fostering a supportive peer community, Spark Series provides pathways for UIC students to test ideas, build entrepreneurial skills, and engage with a broader innovation and entrepreneurship community on campus.
Open and Accessible Entrepreneurship Community: Spark Series programming is open to undergraduate and graduate UIC students from all colleges and majors, and regardless of the scale of participants' aspired-to-ventures. Ideas ranging from high-growth tech startups to small businesses, from social ventures to side hustles are all welcome, supported, and celebrated by our community.
Spark Series programming is anchored by four anchor events held across the academic year, complemented by founder talks and workshops that develop entrepreneurial awareness while supporting students in the recognition and development of entrepreneurial opportunities. Together, these offerings support a progression from exposure and inspiration to concept development and venture launch.
Anchor Events
Anchor Events
Entrepreneurship Expo (Fall Semester) – A campus-wide kickoff event introducing students to entrepreneurship resources, programs, and opportunities across UIC. The Expo helps students connect early to mentors, networks, and campus partners supporting student entrepreneurs.
Flashpoint Pitch Challenge (Fall Semester) – A hackathon-style experience in which students form teams, identify real-world problems, and rapidly develop and pitch early-stage solutions, all in one evening.
Demo Day (Spring Semester) – A showcase emphasizing early prototype demonstration and feedback. Student teams present tangible concepts and receive constructive input from peers, faculty, and community members.
Blaze Venture Challenge (Spring Semester) – UIC’s annual campus-wide pitch competition for student-led ventures. Participants present idea- and early-stage concepts before judges representing the entrepreneurial, investor, and university communities for cash prizes.
Spark Series - Spring Semester Program Pathway
Spark Series - Spring Semester Program Pathway
Spark Series programming is delivered through three complementary components that support students at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Together, these offerings create a flexible ecosystem that allows participants to engage at a single point or across multiple programs as their ideas evolve.
Demo Day
Demo Day
Demo Day is a showcase event where student entrepreneurs present early versions of their ventures to peers, mentors, and members of the campus and local entrepreneurship community. Participants share prototypes, concepts, or early business models in a low-stakes environment designed to encourage learning, feedback, and iteration.
Spark Series Labs
Spark Series Labs
Spark Series Labs are ongoing sessions that provide structured support for students actively working on entrepreneurial ideas. Labs offer opportunities for coaching, peer feedback, and guided work time, helping participants make steady progress while building skills and confidence.
Blaze Venture Challenge
Blaze Venture Challenge
The Blaze Venture Challenge is a campus-wide venture pitch competition that serves as a culminating opportunity within the Spark Series ecosystem. Participants present their ventures to judges for feedback and prizes, demonstrating the progress they have made through customer discovery, validation, and venture development.
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