Don’t Just Find a Career—Create It
Calling all entrepreneurs! The Elmhurst University E-celerator is your resource for learning about launching a new business or innovating from within an existing one.
E-CELERATOR LINKTREE UPCOMING EVENTS Entrepreneurship Toolbox
Through sharing ideas and learning from others, we will champion the entrepreneurial spirit at Elmhurst and in its surrounding communities. All students are encouraged to take advantage of what this initiative has to offer:
- Guidance, coaching and mentoring from our Executive in Residence
- “Bluejay Tank” pitch competition
- A student-run entrepreneurship club
- Our brand new Entrepreneurship Toolbox
- Speaker series and other virtual and live events
- Networking and ideating with other entrepreneurs in your area of interest
Have an idea for an app, product or business? Ever wondered about what goes into a startup? This space is for you.
Learn from Experienced Entrepreneurs
Students have the unique opportunity to learn from and work with Executive in Residence Patrick Yanahan ’94, MBA ’10. In addition to his business know-how, Patrick can help students find resources and make connections in order to pursue their interests.
Executive in Residence Hours*
- Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (A.C. Buehler Library, Room 016)
- Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (virtually)
Students can make appointments via phone call (contact the WCCPE), by emailing [email protected] or through their Handshake accounts
*During the academic year.
Upcoming Events
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.
Learn the Skills of Entrepreneurship
Did you know that Elmhurst University now offers a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship? Follow your passion and develop the skills necessary to create new ideas for businesses.
About the E-celerator
Vision
To create and champion an entrepreneurial spirit at Elmhurst University and its surrounding community.
Mission
To foster an ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurial aspirations and guides executions to future success by providing the necessary knowledge, resources and mentorship.
Partners
The University thanks PNC Bank and Innovation DuPage for their partnership.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
View a complete listing, and request a replay of recorded events.
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.
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.
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.