Midwest Engineering Entrepreneurship Network (MEEN)
In 2011, the Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) at the University of Michigan recognized the value in establishing a network that would provide a forum for sharing best practices and methods for overcoming challenges unique to Midwest engineering entrepreneurship centers. MEEN was created as a result!
MEEN Mission
To support the innovation efforts of Midwest technology entrepreneurship institutions through collaboration in educating, supporting and connecting innovators to the ecosystem spanning the region.
Annual Conference
Thanks to everyone who participated in the August 2021 conference!
Annually, MEEN holds a conference aimed at sharing best practices and methods for overcoming challenges unique to Midwest engineering entrepreneurship centers. Each year, a different university hosts the MEEN Conference. This conference is open to University administration, faculty and staff. There is no fee to attend this event, but participants are responsible for providing their own transportation and accommodations.
Why you should attend MEEN
- Learn about Midwest opportunities for I-Corps
- Find how other universities are breaking down the educational silos
- Hear best practices in engineering entrepreneurship from other universities
- Describe a challenge you are having and learn how the MEEN network may help
We look forward to sharing and exploring new ideas and tackling the common problems we all face.
Past participants include: Iowa State University, Penn State, Wayne State, Illinois Institute of Technology, Michigan Technological University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Akron, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota and others.
Testimonial:
"Hosting and attending the MEEN Conference has been an invaluable opportunity to meet with colleagues across the Midwest, exchange best practices, and build collaborative initiatives that leverage our collective resources and expertise. In a relatively low-density entrepreneurial ecosystem, MEEN has provided a platform to enable much greater connectivity across geographically dispersed institutions. Nice people too!"
Matthew Lynall, Professor at Purdue and PI for Purdue I-Corps Site; 2015 MEEN host