Programs / Activities
TEC's extra-curricular activities are designed to give students the opportunity for hands-on experience in technology commercialization and new venture creation. These programs also reward students for outstanding innovation and creativity.

Idea to Product
PITCH YOUR PRODUCT IDEA FOR THE CHANCE TO COMPETE FOR $10,000! Idea To Product (I2P) is a unique academic competition looking at ideas at their earliest stage. I2P is not a business plan competition. I2P only requires a one-page submission, done according to a strict format, outlining an idea for a product (or service) and its market.

The Patent Clinic
The Patent Clinic is a joint effort between the TEC and the University of Illinois College of Law (COL) in which selected participants from the Cozad New Venture Competition and the Lemelson-Illinois Student Prize entrants can have a patent application drafted for them at no cost, if their invention description includes a novel and potentially patentable device, system, or method.

InnovationWeek
In an effort to celebrate the rich history and culture of innovation at Illinois, the Technology Entrepreneur Center in the College of Engineering and the School of Art + Design in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, with support from the Office of the Provost, are hosting the second annual InnovationWeek at Illinois from February 16 - 26, 2009.

Lemelson-Illinois Student Prize
The $30,000 prize for outstanding innovation and invention is awarded annually, and is offered in conjunction with the Lemelson-MIT Program.

Cozad New Venture Competition
Inter-disciplinary student teams compete for start-up funds for new ventures.

Invention 2 Venture
The TEC hosts Invention to Venture and Advanced Invention to Venture workshops for those interested in commercializing their new technology ideas.  These workshops are sponsored by the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.

Invention to Venture: Urbana 2009 (Entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences) Agenda & Downloadable Presentations

Illini-TEC Forum
The TEC hosts events in several cities for the entrepreneurial community.  Students also present a technology or new business idea to the audience, showcasing innovation at Illinois.

EIR Program
Our Entrepreneurs in Residence Program provide TEC students a glimpse into the entrepreneurship landscape, while receiving the rewards of direct involvement with some of the most talented engineering students in the world.

TEC's Charm School
The TEC offers two different Charm Schools each year: Fall Charm School I and Spring Charm School II. Each Charm School is a full Saturday and covers various topics needed to be successful in the "real world". During Fall Charm School we cover networking, how to get a job, business communication, and proper dress in the workplace. During Spring Charm School, we cover more advanced topics such as international business travel, running effective meetings, presentation skills, and how to handle difficult conversations. Both Fall and Spring Charm Schools cover etiquette at a business lunch or interview where you will learn the finer points of formal dining etiquette.

TEC’s Advanced Charm School Series

In addition to our Fall Charm School I & Spring Charm School II, the TEC offers an Advanced Charm School Series:

Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is something we do all the time and is not only used for business purposes; learn basic strategies to improve your negotiation skills and learn to negotiate effectively.

Wine 101
Learn the basics of wine; deciphering wine and the terminology used with wine; understanding where wine comes from, how to taste it, different wine styles, and other characteristics.

Leadership Workshop
This workshop will teach you what is needed to take on the leadership role in many situations; become a leader that motivates their teams; learn more about leadership within a cultural context. This is an interactive workshop to learn more about the dimensions of culture and the impact this may have on your leadership and your effectiveness. 

Communication
Become an effective communicator; body language and cultural differences: greetings, shaking hands, eye contact, smiling, etc.