GreenApple(R) Campus Launches Partnership with the Chicago Innovation Exchange at the University of Chicago

GreenApple® Campus, Chicago’s leading provider of STEM and STEAM programming for children, is partnering with the Chicago Innovation Exchange (CIE) at the University of Chicago to provide a two week incubator program that helps the next generation of innovators creatively apply technology and business concepts to unlock potential opportunities.

In the spirit of innovation, StartUp to Achieve Kid CEOs ages 11-14 will set goals, develop their StartUp Big Idea, establish their brand, spread the word, and explore funding -- just like a real business. Kids enrolled in StartUp to Achieve will be coached by the best of the brightest entrepreneurs at the CIE at the University of Chicago who will help students to crystalize and present their ideas at the end of the two-week session.

“We are thrilled to have the CIE at the University of Chicago on board as our partner for this summer’s StartUp to Achieve program,” GreenApple® Campus founder Dee Guiney says. “The University of Chicago’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to business incubation and collaboration are right in line with what we want our budding entrepreneurs to model.”

“The CIE was created to connect entrepreneurs to resources and provide a supportive environment in which to found and grow their own businesses,” said John Flavin, executive director of the Chicago Innovation Exchange. “The Startup to Achieve program does the same for young entrepreneurs, giving them practice solving problems, working in teams, and building businesses. The skills they learn during the program will be useful whether they choose a traditional career path or come back to the CIE to create or grow their own startup in the future.”

The StartUp to Achieve Summer Incubator runs from July 27 to August 7 (2 weeks) from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday at the Chicago Innovation Exchange at the University of Chicago located at 1452 E. 53rd St. in Chicago. StartUp to Achieve is for kids in grades 6 through 9 and costs $1200 for two weeks. To register, please visit: http://www.greenapplecamps.com/startup-to-achieve-summer-incubator-15-uchicago-cie.

###

GreenApple® Campus is an educational not-for-profit 501©3 organization. Our mission is to inspire the innovators of the future through creative and challenging STEM or STEAM programs for kids. Programs are rich in science, technology, engineering, math, architecture, design and invention. Program categories include Robotics & Invention, Digital Media & Technology, Coding, Adventure with LEGO, ThinkTinkering and the StartUp to Achieve incubator program. GreenApple® Campus has been offering programs since 2003. Visit http://www.greenapplecamps.org for more information.

The Chicago Innovation Exchange (CIE) at the University of Chicago provides space for proof-of-concept work, business incubation, collaboration opportunities, and programming to facilitate innovation and commercialization. Local entrepreneurs, as well as UChicago faculty, students, and staff, are welcome to become members of the CIE. To learn more about the CIE or to apply for membership, visit http://cie.uchicago.edu or follow the @ChicagoCIE on Twitter.