Past E-celerator Events

From formal speaking engagements to lunch-and-learn workshops, the E-celerator’s events put an emphasis on student learning.

Many of our events are recorded. Please note that archived speaking events are proprietary to current undergraduates, graduate students, and registered alumni. You may contact the WCCPE and the Entrepreneur in Residence for access to these videos.

For information about current and upcoming events, head back to the E-celerator home page.

Spring 2025

E-celerator Presents: Cyber security and you! What IT Means for YOUR Future, your career path, and how to be on guard for some really ugly stuff.
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
E-celerator Innovation Space
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
In-person
Dive into the critical world of cybersecurity with Ryan Sickles of Fortinet, a billion dollar global leader in safeguarding digital landscapes.
This event offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from an industry expert, chatting about online threats and revealing how they may directly impact your professional and personal life. Nick will also explore potential career avenues within the booming field of cybersecurity. This insightful presentation will equip you with the understanding necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats and its world, all while enjoying complimentary pizza.
Don’t miss this chance to understand this important aspect of your digital career future that will touch everyone, and learn how to stay vigilant against emerging cyberattacks.
E-celerator Entrepreneur Speaker Series: Naomi Kent
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator Program as we welcome management entrepreneur Naomi Kent. Naomi will cover the topics of “Working at the boardroom level, female empowerment, and how she launched her business.”

Fall 2024

Speed Networking with Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
E-celerator Innovation Space
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Are you looking to grow your entrepreneurship network? Students will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with successful entrepreneurs from various backgrounds in the form of speed networking during this professional development event.
E-celerator’s Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition
Thursday, October 17, 2024
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Mill Theatre
253 Walter St.
Elmhurst, IL
In-person on Elmhurst University’s campus
Are you ready to pitch your innovative idea? This competition provides an exciting opportunity to challenge students’ creativity and entrepreneurship skills. With $3,000 in prizes, students can learn how to develop a well-organized presentation on their business idea. You must be present to pitch and win, and must attend the whole event. Pitching order will be selected by random. The Executive in Residence will be on-call to help you with your pitches and ideas, if needed, leading up to the event.
E-celerator’s Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition Workshop
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
E-celerator Innovation Space
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
In-person
Get ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship! Our Shark Tank Pitch Workshop will equip you with the essential tools to craft a winning pitch. Learn from expert mentors, analyze successful past pitches, and network with recent winners. This workshop is your springboard to the big time, providing you with the confidence and skills to make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality and to win up to $3,000 in prizes.
E-celerator Presents: Tesla Motors on Campus
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
11:30 a.m – 2:00 p.m.
E-celerator Innovation Space
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator program as we welcome Tesla Motors on campus. The event will start in the E-celerator Innovation Space where the Tesla team will give an innovation talk. Then, after waivers are signed, we will have Tesla cars outside for the students to test drive with their staff. Pizza will be provided. The exclusive event is open only to Elmhurst University Students and Staff.
Innovation DuPage/E-celerator Treasure Hunt
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Lower Level of the Cafeteria – South End
Unlock your future with the E-celerator! Join fellow innovators for a lunch hour of excitement, teamwork, and discovery with clues hidden all around. This treasure hunt will allow you to network with entrepreneurs from Innovation DuPage and walk away with free prizes.

Spring 2024

E-celerator’s Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition
Monday, April 15, 2024
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Innovation of DuPage
535 Duane St
Glen Ellyn, IL
Inside the Glen Ellyn civics center
The pitch competition will be in-person. You must be present to pitch and win, and must attend the whole event. Pitching order will be selected by random. The Executive in Residence will be on-call to help you with your pitches and ideas, if needed, leading up to the event.
E-celerator Workshop
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
This workshop covers your idea, submission forms, and expectations for the big event.

Fall 2023

E-celerator Presents: Student Speed Networking with Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Students will have the opportunity to speed network in-person with five to six successful entrepreneurs from various backgrounds in a fun, speed-timed setting. This popular event is returning this fall! Only 20 slots for current Elmhurst University students will be available for this event. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
E-celerator’s Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition
Monday, October 30, 2023
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Mill Theatre
Come watch students present their unique business ideas as they compete for $3,000 in prizes. This is E-celerator’s biggest event of the year! The Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition provides an exciting, educational experience while challenging students’ creativity and entrepreneurship skills. This fun and energy-fueled pitch competition is open to all majors and both undergraduate and graduate students. Join us in watching this exciting competition! Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
E-celerator Presents: Tesla Motors on Campus
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator program as we welcome Tesla Motors on campus. The Tesla team will cover innovation and then, after waivers are signed, we will have Tesla cars outside for the students to test drive with their staff. Pizza will be provided and this will be a special lunchtime presentation. The exclusive event is open only to Elmhurst University Students and Staff.
E-celerator Entrepreneur Speaker Series: Keith Wakeman from SuperBetter
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator Program as we welcome tech and health entrepreneur Keith Wakeman on his mental health and tech app game journey. Keith will talk about how he launched and scaled up his app SuperBetter dot-com. The SuperBetter app uses the psychology of gameplay to achieve epic wins in all of life. Over 1 million people have played SuperBetter. This event will take place on Zoom and be recorded for night classes.

Spring 2023

E-celerator New Innovation Center Ribbon Cutting Event
Friday, May 12, 2023, 11:45-12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Please join the entrepreneur’s initiative as they celebrate the opening of the new innovation center.
Speed Networking and Pizza Event with Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, May 3, 11:45-12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
Enjoy some great pizza and the opportunity to meet six fun, smart entrepreneurs in the E-celerator’s fast-paced speed networking Q&A event. Get-to-know-you questions to be provided to get the conversation going. Make new contacts in the business world.
Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition

Monday, April 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Frick Center, Prospect Room

The Bluejay Tank seeks to provide an exciting, educational experience while challenging students’ creativity and entrepreneurship skills. With $3,000 in prizes at stake, the winners can use their prizes to accelerate their innovative ideas to the next phase of development. VIEW COMPETITION.
How I Launched my Corporate Auction Business and the Importance of Negotiations with Entrepreneur James Drury
Wednesday, April 5, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
In this installment of the E-celerator Lunch ‘n Learn series, students learned how James Drury—entrepreneur, author and professional auctioneer—launched his successful corporate auction business. Additionally, he’ll touch on the importance of negotiations and the role they play in business and life.
E-celerator Entrepreneur Speaker Series: Scott Filer: Raising Money for Your Business Launch, How I Spend My Career Engaging Money Daily
Wednesday, March, 27, 2023
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Hybrid – A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016/via Zoom
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator program as we welcome health and tech entrepreneur Scott Filer on the topic of “Raising Money for Your Business Launch, How I Spend My Career Engaging Money Daily.” This event will take place in person and on Zoom to be recorded for night classes.
The Pulse Behind the Brand
Wednesday, March 15, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level, Room 016
In this installment of the E-celerator Lunch ‘n Learn series, students learned how Karishma Bali, entrepreneur and CEO of Pulse, created a successful luxury activewear company.
E-celerator Entrepreneur Speaker Series: Martin Schlenker: The Entrepreneurial Mindset – The Importance of Being an Intrapreneur in a Large Organization and How to Knock Down Barriers
Wednesday, February 21, 2023
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Come join the Innovation and Entrepreneurship E-celerator program as we welcome tech and logistics entrepreneur Martin Schlenker on the topic of “The Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Importance of Being an Intrapreneur in a Large Organization and how to Knock Down Barriers.” This event will take place on Zoom and be recorded for night classes.
Scaling Up: How I launched my Employee Engagement Business
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Room 016, and virtual
In this installment of the E-celerator Lunch ‘n’ Learn series, students learned how Laura DeRousse successfully launched a workplace engagement business and took over the property management world. View ‘Scaling Up’

Fall 2022

In-Person Speed Networking Pizza Event with Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
A.C. Buehler Library, Room 016
Six fun, smart entrepreneurs participated in a fast-paced speed networking Q&A event.
How I Started My Professional Coaching Business
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Virtual
Successful entrepreneur Tom Kelly shared how his involvement with sales, his effective communication skills, expertise, and his entrepreneurial drive turned him into a successful entrepreneur coach.
Fall Bluejay Tank Competition
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Mill Theater
The Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition returned and crowned three winners! Bluejay Tank Home
Turning My Passion for Food into a Successful Business
Virtual
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Sofia Defino started with a passion for food that unexpectedly led to her becoming a successful entrepreneur with her company, Meal Me, at the age of 24. View ‘Passion for Food’
The Wonders of Crowdfunding! The Alternative Way to Fund Your New Business Idea
Virtual
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Gray Matters Games owner Joe Barron and Elmhurst Bluejay Tank contest runner-up Luis Chavez discussed the use of crowdfunding to kick-start a business or project. VIEW ‘THE Wonders of Crowdfunding’

Spring 2022

From a Home Product to QVC: An Inspiring Entrepreneur’s Story
Virtual
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
You Are Your Entrepreneurial Brand
Virtual
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Educator and entrepreneur Felicia Shakespeare, the founder of A Purpose Driven Woman LLC, gave advice on and insights into building a strong entrepreneurial brand.
When You’re the Boss
Virtual
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Sandy Skibinski as she shared her entrepreneurial journey to owning a direct marketing company.
Taking Control: How I Started my Female-Owned Medical Equipment Company
Virtual
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Alison Emerick, CEO of Ease Living, shared how she founded her e-commerce business in the health care space.

Fall 2021

The Importance of Insuring Your Business
Virtual
Entrepreneur Olivia Lucas discussed one of the most essential parts of launching your own business: having insurance that protects the business and its employees.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Launching a Successful Health Care Advocacy Business
Virtual
Entrepreneurs Beth Myers (BSN, RN) and Wendy Benson (MBA, OTR/L) shared the story of the successful launch of their company, 2×2 Health.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
What Is an Incubator, and What Does it Do for You?
Learn about incubating a start-up company with support from Innovation DuPage. Jim Bell, director of operations and partner engagement at Innovation DuPage, spoke about the valuable resources available.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Computing Your Career
A tech entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience answered questions about cloud and software development.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Event Recap
E-celerator Lunch and Learn Speaker: Christina Montalvo
Elmhurst alumna Christina Montalvo, Latina founder of The Confidence Project, recounted her journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021
Bluejay Tank Pitch Workshop
Students prepared for the fall Bluejay Tank business pitch competition (Oct. 27) with insights on event expectations and assistance to help brainstorm a business idea.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021
Diversity: A Good Business Practice (Roland Quest Lecture)
Daymond John, an original co-star of the popular “Shark Tank” TV series and founder and CEO of the FUBU lifestyle brand, shared his life story and keys to success.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Launching Your Own Franchising Business: a Unique Path to Entrepreneurship
Tom DuFore (’04) and CEO of the Big Sky Franchise spoke about a unique path to entrepreneurship: owning your own franchising business.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Spring 2021

How To Get Started: How To Turn A College Project Into A Social Enterprise
David Rojas Jr., founder and CEO of TA98, spoke about starting a business that gives back to your community and brings about positive social change.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
The Art of Engaging Angel Investors
In this installment of the E-celerator Speaker Series, Travis Linderman of Innovation DuPage shared strategies on how to gain initial sources of revenue for your start-up.
April 14, 2021
Innovation Panel Discussion: Time for New Ideas
A panel discussion on the urgent need for innovation and entrepreneurship, featuring Elmhurst professor Dr. Bruce Fischer, Elmhurst professor Dr. Soni Simpson, Elmhurst Entrepreneur in Residence Patrick Yanahan and Travis Linderman of Innovation DuPage.
April 7, 2021
Why Does Diversity in Entrepreneurship Matter?
Successful entrepreneur guest panelists spoke about the importance of diversity among entrepreneurs. Panelists included Quincy Banks, Christina Montalvo and Jennie Oh Brown.
March 24, 2021
Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition Workshop
Patrick Yanahan, our Entrepreneur in Residence, discussed how to create a successful entry for the Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition.
March 23, 2021

Bruno Tabis
Virtual lunch and learn: Launching Your Own Entrepreneurial Business, and Making Sure It’s Legal
Feb. 17, 2021

Fall 2020

Oluwaseyi Adeolu

Name the Entrepreneurship Initiative Competition
We are the E-celerator! Thank you to all of the Elmhurst University students, faculty and staff who contributed name ideas and helped judge the finalists during the naming competition. While the winning name was a team effort, the Entrepreneurs Initiative gave special recognition to Oluwaseyi Adeolu, who received the most votes among students for her name submission.
Contest Ran During the Fall Term
Nick Bank
Lunch and learn about lessons from Bank’s experience launching two businesses while at Elmhurst.
Dec. 3, 2020
Daisy and Alex Betance
Virtual lunchtime Q&A with Elmhurst University alumni: Launching Your Own Startup in the Clean Lifestyle Products Market
Nov. 18, 2020
How Student’s Entrepreneurial Idea Became Bili Blankets for Africa
Virtual event with Matt Glucksberg
Nov. 11, 2020
Tim Palmer
CyberSafe 360 founder Palmer shared his thoughts about starting a company in the IT security realm.
Oct. 28, 2020
Bluejay Tank Pitch Competition
Virtual event featuring students’ ideas for business and entrepreneurship.
Oct. 21, 2020
Why Diversity in Entrepreneurship Matters
Virtual event with Christina Hamilton, Melissa Villanueva and Angela Howard
Oct. 7, 2020
Elmhurst Entrepreneurs Lunch and Learn
As the founder of Homewatch CareGivers, Dennise Vaughn will share information on starting a business in senior care.
Sept. 30, 2020
How I Became a Successful Entrepreneur via Robots
Virtual event with Jerome DuBois, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 6 River Systems
Sept. 24, 2020

Mark Heintz

How Economic Downturns Create Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Virtual event with Mitch Harris, owner of Strongbox Fitness in Glen Ellyn
April 16, 2020

What It Takes to Be a Successful Entrepreneur
Meet and Greet with Mark Heintz
Feb. 19, 2020