Lewis University and the Des Plaines River Valley Enterprise Zone have launched a regional business incubator program called the Innovation Hub. Conveniently situated on the corner of Airport Road and Highway 53 in Romeoville, the Innovation Hub will support entrepreneurs who are looking to pursue, launch or scale a business.
The hub offers co-working space to house the startups, coaching/mentorship and other support programs and services that guide entrepreneurs from idea through market commercialization. Companies interested in growing a business or advance a new product idea can participate in two ways: in a pre-incubation program geared toward advancing a seed-stage idea into a viable business or by taking advantage of resources and connections to scale a current business. The hub will offer customized start-up support seminars on topics such as intellectual property, proof-of-concept, customer discovery, financing, brand awareness, design thinking, social media, the art of an investor pitch, profit mastery, process improvement, financing options and negotiations and contracts. Support services include digital media and design, video media, marketing/sales and data analytics/data security.
Applications to participate in the business incubation program are now being accepted by Kristin Burton burtonkr@lewisu.edu.