Ignite Fellows
Program Details Heading link
The Ignite Fellows Program pairs interested master’s and doctoral students with industry-related startups at 1871 to spark innovative thinking and increase access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chicago. Students gain hands-on experiences learning about the startup culture and apply advanced knowledge through non-academic opportunities to support startups with one defined project.
Up to three fellows will be selected for the 12-week pilot program who will each receive a $5,000 stipend from UIC Innovation to participate. The application deadline has passed for Spring 2024. Check back in the fall for the Spring 2025 application link.
Matching
The UIC Innovation team will work with the 1871 team to identify Chicago-area startups that would benefit from and/or have interest in working with a UIC student on a specific project.
2024 Project Opportunities Heading link
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Market Analysis
Support a startup focused on financing athletes’ travel and competition participation by conducting a detailed assessment of the startup’s target market and competitive landscape to identify the next sport that the startup should focus on.
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Assessing Business Needs and Goals for AI Integration
Support a startup focused on financing athletes’ travel and competition participation by determining how AI can be leveraged to enhance business operations and increase responsiveness.
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Social Media & Strategy
Provide strategic and technical social media support to develop and increase content, grow audiences, track performance, and achieve goals. As part of the project, conduct a market segmentation analysis to understand target market.
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Marketing and Communications
Develop editorial calendar and design asset templates for business communication efforts. Use data analytics and consider algorithms to develop plan for use of social platforms to increase brand awareness.
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Business Logistics
Support startup in market analysis to identify target market and streamline logistics of water hydration deliveries.
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Water Policy & Regulation
Research current water policy and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels and develop a strategic overview of environmental policy and water regulation from a public policy perspective to support startup focused on waste reduction through a cost-effective hydration system.
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Water Quality
Provide technical support to startup focused on waste reduction through a cost-effective hydration system through water quality testing and internal standard testing. Gain on-site experience at the startup’s lab in Chicago near the UIC campus.
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Data Science & Analysis
Support startup by using data to drive business outcomes and/or use data models to predict target business users and consider alternative approaches to problem solving using data set.