DeKalb young entrepreneurs invited to apply to upcoming innovator workshops

DeKALB – Young minds are invited to step into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship with a free program designed to spark creativity and inspire action.

Multiple area organizations have teamed up to host sessions in February for middle and high school students to learn the ins and outs of building a business.

Middle and high school students are encouraged to participate in the events, where they will gain essential skills, develop their own ideas, and compete for the opportunity to bring their visions to life, according to a news release.

“We believe that a strong community starts with giving students tools they need to succeed,” Chad Glover, executive director of Opportunity DeKalb, said in a news release. “This program is a team effort, made possible by amazing partners like the NIU College of Business, NIU STEAM, Project H.O.P.E. and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy. Together, we’re helping students work on their ideas. It’s about sparking creativity, building confidence and helping show the next generation that they can make a real difference.”

A middle school workshop will take place at Northern Illinois University from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 6 and from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 20. High school students will have their workshop from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 17 at NIU. All students are invited to showcase their poster boards at New Hope Church from 10 a.m. to noon March 1.

Further details will be provided upon registration. To sign up, visit go.niu.edu/2025CES.

More about the programs

Ideas into action: Middle school students in grades six through eight will have the chance to unleash their creativity and transform their ideas into actionable plans. Whether it’s a business, product or nonprofit initiative, participants will learn how to develop and pitch their concepts at a poster board showcase. The highlight? A chance to win seed funding to kick-start their vision.

Thinking like investors: High school students in grades nine through 12 will step into the role of investors, evaluating the pitches from middle school participants. Through this process, they’ll gain critical skills in analysis, decision-making and entrepreneurial strategy that they can apply to their own future endeavors.

“This program is all about inspiring local middle and high school students to think like entrepreneurs,” Becca Husar, associate director of innovation and partnership development with the NIU College of Business, said in a news release. “Through hands-on workshops and a community pitch event, students learn important skills like independence, creative problem-solving and how to communicate their ideas effectively. What’s even better is that it helps build key protective factors for mental health – things like confidence, resilience and finding ways to get involved and make a difference in their community.”

By the end of the program, participants will have a clear understanding of how to identify challenges, develop feasible solutions and make a lasting impression.

The showcase was developed by the NIU College of Business and Opportunity DeKalb with partners NIU STEAM, Project H.O.P.E. and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.