A NEW CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN.
so·cial in·no·va·tion – A novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than existing solutions and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole.
Mission:
Creating more ways for students and faculty to apply their research, knowledge, and skills to address 21st century challenges.
Vision:
Every student has the opportunity to apply their specialist area of learning to understanding and improving our world
We are known for this work and communicate our social impact clearly and comprehensively.
We have mainstreamed immediate translation of research into social impact in the social sciences, humanities, and arts as well as the sciences.
Our concerted work attracts significant and ongoing funding in the form of philanthropic gifts and grants for research, evaluation, product development, policy analysis, curriculum development, and education initiatives.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE PIPELINE
Two-stage social venture development course sequence. 1) SOCW321: Social Entrepreneurship + Social Change. 2) SOCW380: Advanced Social Startup Launch
CAPACITY FUNDING
Early-stage capacity funding for social enterprises across campus. Supports a broad range of early-stage startup needs, including purchasing of: materials, supplies, prototyping/piloting programs, travel, and research expenses.
iVENTURE ACCELERATOR
An educational accelerator for top student startups at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Supports social, cultural, tech, and commercial value creation.
STARTUP ADVISORS
A cohort of world-class social enterprise leaders who are committed to advising
student startup teams. The cohort includes Forbes 30 under 30: Social Enterprise winners, and Ashoka, Echoing Green, Gates, and Soros Fellows.
CHANGEMAKER LECTURE SERIES
Conversations with young, world-class innovators addressing social, cultural, and environmental issues.
SOCIAL + CULTURAL VENTURE TEAM FORMATION
A recurring pitching and networking event to support the formation of teams around social and cultural ventures. Hosted by the Technology Entrepreneur Center (tec.illinois.edu.)
School of Social Work
Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership
College of Fine+Applied Arts
College of Business
College of Engineering
Initial Campus Discussions
Key campus leaders highlighting opportunity to emphasize Social Innovation education as a piece of the Illinois student experience.
“Explore Social Innovation initiative” included as one of Chancellor’s 21 campus priorities
The Chancellor’s 2013 Campus plan is a synthesis of the University of Illinois’ collective efforts to capture challenges the world will face in the next 20-50 years and the role our preeminent institution will play in addressing them. Exploring social Innovation initiative listed as one of campus’ 21 top priorities.
Director Hired & Founding Partners Convene
Professor Noah Isserman hired as Director of Social Innovation at Illinois. Founding partners:
– School of Social Work
– College of Business
– Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership
– College of Fine+Applied Arts
Hire Manager
Ryan Singh hired as Manager of Social Innovation at Illinois
Map campuswide ecosystem and build partnership
Launch iVenture Accelerator
iVenture Accelerator’s inaugural cohort launched with 13 startups comprised of 33 students from 24 majors representing seven colleges of the University.
Social Innovation involved on core commitee for campuswide Design Center
The University of Illinois Design Center will be an interdisciplinary, undergraduate focused space to experience design thinking, making, and learning by addressing a wide variety of human needs in project-based collaborative teams.