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Innovation Week at мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼

From April 1–5

Students presenting at the 2023 Pitch Competition. (Photo by Blaise Datoy)

Innovation Week 2024 will take place on the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ campus from April 1–5. Throughout the week, various events and activities will take place, emphasizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the campus community. The theme for the week is “High-Value Relationships,” referencing the biblical model of impactful, lasting relationships and highlighting the importance of collaboration, networking and relationships throughout the innovative process.

The event will feature keynote speaker Pierre Quinn, CEO of The Cardell Group, LLC, a consulting firm focused on growing leaders and empowering teams. An alumnus of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ with degrees in communication and theology, Quinn is also the author of “Leading While Green: How Emerging Leaders Can Ripen Into Effective Leaders” and “Leading While Scared: How To Find the Courage To Keep Going.” He will speak for the 11:30 a.m. AUGather service in Pioneer Memorial Church on April 4, and he will also be featured at Proximity Vespers in Johnson Gym on April 5 at 8 p.m., in collaboration with AUnited weekend events.

Students are invited to attend the Entrepreneurship Hangout on April 2 in Chan Shun Hall, where they will receive the opportunity to network, learn from each other and meet the 2024 Pitch Competition participants. There will also be a Kinetic Vespers service on April 4 in the University Towers Chapel. An exhibit floor showcasing booths by student start-ups and event sponsors will be featured in the Howard Performing Arts Center lobby on April 5, from 1–5 p.m.

Innovation Week will spotlight the final rounds of the third annual Pitch Competition. Throughout the competition, students have presented original business ideas for the opportunity to win in-kind and cash awards in support of their projects. All applicants will present to a live audience and panel of judges at the Semi-Final Competition on April 3, which will take place in Chan Shun Hall from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Then, on April 5, the top seven projects will move on to the Final Competition in the Howard Performing Arts Center from 2–4 p.m., with a reception to follow in the lobby.

A total of $60,000 in cash and in-kind awards will be distributed to the participants at the end of the event on April 5. Additionally, a People’s Choice Award of $1,000 will be given based on live voting from the audience at the finals event. The competition is sponsored by мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Glen Oaks, 52 Wall St, the School of Leadership at мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼, 38 Wall St, мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼’s Enactus Club and Adventist Young Professionals. Campus and community members are encouraged to attend both competition sessions for the opportunity to meet and network with the participants and other attendees.

This year’s Innovation Week activities are sponsored by the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Graduate Student Association (AUGSA), Center for Faith Engagement, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Student Involvement, Leadership & Activities (SILA). A detailed schedule of the week’s events can be accessed here. 

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