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 | Save the Date: August 10-11, 2021
In-person and virtual options are available.
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. You are invited!
WHEN | Tuesday, August 10, 12:00-5:00pm CST & Wednesday, August 11, 9:00am-1:00pm CST
WHERE | Big Ten Conference Center, 5440 Park Place, Rosemont, Illinois
To learn more about the venue, please visit go.illinois.edu/big10
REGISTER | Register Here
You can indicate if you will be in-person or attending virtually on the registration form.
DEADLINE | July 16
HOSTED BY | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign & University of Michigan
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.
NEW COVID-19 INFORMATION | This week, given new information on the Delta variant currently circulating the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) added a public health recommendation stating: Everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, must wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission. The Big Ten Conference headquarters is in Cook County, which was identified as one of those areas. In accordance with CDC guidelines, the Big Ten Conference is requiring all staff and guests wear masks in the building. All guests will need to wear a mask inside the Conference Center at all times (except when eating and drinking). Currently, no distancing guidelines or capacity limits have been placed.
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.
Conference Lodging
- 9700 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont, IL
- Discounted Rate: $139/night + Free Parking
- ALOFT Chicago O'Hare is within walking distance to the Big 10 Conference Center (0.1 miles)
- You must reserve your room by Friday, July 23, 2021 to guarantee room availability at the discounted rate.
Book Your Room at the Discounted Conference Rate
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