About the Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center
The Knapp Center was designed to support a swift and significant
expansion of entrepreneurial activity at and around IIT. By leveraging
the Center's resources, client companies can solidify their business structure,
develop a sound launch strategy, reduce risk,
prepare for and take on smart investment, scale their enterprise, and
benefit from the Center's and IIT's established networks.
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Knapp Center Client It's Hip Hop Baby Featured on Oprah Winfrey
In 2003, Candi's son, Emerson, was born with some health problems.
After several surgeries to correct, among other issues, a hole in his
heart, Emerson's health improved but his developmental skills did not.
"Unbeknownst to me, my son had a chromosomal disorder," she says.
"Developmentally, he was really far behind." While doctors told her
Emerson's disability would make it difficult for him to communicate and
learn basic concepts, Candi says she found a way to get through to him.
"I started singing and beat-boxing," she says. "When I couldn't get him
to transition or do things, I would start singing what I wanted him to
do or putting a beat to what I wanted him to do ... and it became an
effective tool to communicate with him."Soon, Candi tried her songs on other little children, teaching them the
ABCs and more. "When you alter a song that a child already knows, they
love it," she says. Emerson slowly began learning educational concepts
from Candi's songs, and she decided to make her method available to
parents everywhere through the DVD and CD It's Hip Hop, Baby!
"I'm taking education concepts-we teach letters, colors, numbers and
animals-and we mix it in with hip-hop beats and rhythms, so typical
children will learn faster because they are singing it," she says.
By Fall 2008, Candi hopes to produce three more DVDs with her unique
teaching style and help kids of all levels learn faster while having
fun.
Listen to the interview here. |
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Knapp Center Lecture: Lessons of a Midwest High-Tech Entrepreneur
Join the Knapp Center for its August lecture, which will focus on the practical aspects of being a high-tech entrepreneur.
James
Fairs, President and CEO of IMI Innovations, Inc., will discuss
strategies for domestic and international intellectual property,
dealing with venture capital firms, and give a product demonstration.
IMI Innovations, Inc. is a technology firm that develops multiple-user
and bimanual software for professional users, media, gaming and other
sectors. IMI's design team offers software development tools to
meet and expand the design parameters of software creators from all
sectors.
Refreshments will be served. There is absolutely no charge for this event, but RSVPs are required and should be made to keplinger@iit.edu.
Event Info
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
August 26, 2008
Technology Business Center Atrium
University Technology Park at IIT
3440 South Dearborn
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Connectiviity
Please
join the Jules F.
Knapp Entrepreneurship
Center, the University Technology
Park at IIT, and Wexford
Science + Technology for our monthly networking event on Thursday, August 28th!
Our featured guest this month will be Threadless, a community-centered online
apparel store. Starting as a thread on a design forum in 2000, Threadless now
has more than 400,000 online users and a retail store in the Lakeview
neighborhood. The Threadless concept - soliciting designs, creating a community
of users to vote on the best design of the week, and turning a profit by
selling the designs on apparel and other items - earned its parent company,
skinnyCorp, a 2007 Chicago Innovation Award.
Connectiviity brings together the
entrepreneurship community both within IIT and the greater Chicagoland area and
provides the opportunity to network and share experiences with fellow
entrepreneurs. Whether you are currently an entrepreneur or are considering
starting a business, this event can help you make the connections you need to
get your new venture started or grow your existing business. Come explore what
the Knapp Center,
University Tech Park,
Wexford and IIT have to offer!
Refreshments will be served. There is absolutely no charge to attend this event. For
more information, contact Jennifer Keplinger at keplinger@iit.edu.
Event Info
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
August 28, 2008
Technology Business Center Atrium
University Technology Park at IIT
3440 South Dearborn
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Entrepreneurial Women's Conference
You are invited to the 22nd Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference and Women's Business & Buyers Mart,
the oldest conference and business opportunities fair for women in
business in the country, and the premier event for women business
owners in the Midwest. Presented by the Women's Business Development
Center (WBDC), this year's event offers women business owners the
opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by
building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business
experts, and other women business owners.
For more information, click here.
Event Info
September 3-4, 2008
Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
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Chicago Manufacturing Center Business Innovation Conference
The Business Innovation Conference will bring innovators,
entrepreneurs, engineers and executives together to share their experience and raise the understanding of the
innovation process. There will be 6 workshops and 30 presentations,
including 6 keynote speakers over three days. In
addition there will be presentations by diverse industry
leaders and a recognition dinner for innovators.
For more information, click here. Use registration code BIC60off to
receive 60% off the price of this event!
Event Info
September 8-10, 2008
Illinois Institute of Technology Rice Campus
201 East Loop Road
Wheaton, Illinois
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Clean Tech 2008
Reflecting the increased global awareness and demand for cleaner technologies, Clean Technologies & Sustainability: Global Perspectives & Opportunities will
bring together local, Midwest and international entrepreneurs,
practitioners and policy makers to share best practices and discover
new synergies for collaboration, cooperation and commercialization. In
a half-day format designed to encourage audience interaction, local and
international thought leaders will explore the Economics & Public
Policy aspects of clean tech as well as issues related to Science &
Technology Commercialization. Sectoral breakout sessions will provide
opportunities for in-depth discussions.
For more information, please click here. As a friend of the Knapp Center, which is a sponsor of this event, you are eligible for discounted registration.
Event Info
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
September 9, 2008
McCormick Place Convention Center
2301 South Lake Shore Drive
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SBIR/STTR Grant Writing Workshop
This two-day workshop combines the
SBIR/STTR 101, Proposal Preparation, and NIH Electronic Submission Workshops
into a two-day intensive workshop. This is targeted to life science companies,
covering Department of Defense, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
If you plan to submit an SBIR or
STTR proposal in 2008, you are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. For more information and to register online, click here.
Event Info
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
September 15-16, 2008
University Technology Park at IIT
10 West 35th Street
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Midwest Alternative Energy Venture Forum
Building
off of the tremendous success of last year's inaugural forum, the second annual
MAEVF will provide another exciting opportunity for participants to explore and
discuss some of the newest breakthroughs in the rapidly changing field of alternative energy.
For
additional details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities, please click here. As a friend of the Knapp Center, which is a sponsor of this event, you are eligible for discounted registration.
Event Info
November 6, 2008
University of Chicago Gleacher Center
450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
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