Innovation DuPage

06/10/2026

We had a full house this morning as we welcomed Claire Brinley from the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank to our member meetup. Over 20 member companies joined to learn about their financing programs, get questions answered, and connect for future support.

For participants in the CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator at Innovation DuPage, having access to partners like the Illinois Climate Bank is a big part of what makes this program worth being in. We're proud to connect our members with the people and resources that can help their businesses move forward.

Learn more about the CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator at Innovation DuPage at: https://www.innovationdupage.org/

06/04/2026

AI, finance, and the relationships that hold a business together — Makers & Shakers VOL. VI breaks down all three through live founder case studies. Attendees can expect networking with fellow founders and operators, professional headshots by Headshot Haus, giveaways, and refreshments. Hosted by Brewpoint Coffee founder and ID member Melissa Villanueva on June 25 at Brewpoint Craft Elmhurst.

Register here:

An entrepreneurial event designed for the founders, operators, and creators building what is next in our communities.

06/02/2026

Congratulations to the 13 entrepreneurs who just completed our inaugural Clean Energy Incubator Cohort Program!

Margo Holowicki
Lance Rock
Hamed Heidari
Rob McHugh
Tamara Roust Ph.D.
Anthony Demma
Joseph Sheehan
Zaki Mafraji
Roland Collins
Andrew Zelis
Mark Becnel
Arham Khan
Julian Holt

Over the past 13 weeks, these founders have been dedicated to learning what it takes to build strong, scalable businesses. They developed core skills across leadership, legal, finance, sales, marketing, and manufacturing, while also sharpening their ability to pitch and grow. Along the way, they explored new strategies to scale their clean energy businesses.

A huge thank you to our partners and supporters—including the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, College of DuPage, and the entire Clean Energy Contract Incubator team—for making this program possible and impactful.

Innovation DuPage is inspired by what this cohort has accomplished and can’t wait to continue supporting your journey as you grow and lead in the clean energy sector.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Incubator Program: https://www.innovationdupage.org/programs/clean-energy-incubator

05/29/2026

We are proud to again sponsor Makers & Shakers, hosted by Brewpoint Coffee founder and ID member Melissa Villanueva. Six editions and nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs in attendance later, Makers & Shakers speaks for itself.

This year features three live case studies on AI, finance, and the relationships that matter most in business, broken down by industry experts. Attendees also receive a professional headshot by Headshot Haus, giveaways, refreshments, and a night alongside other entrepreneurs who are in it too.

Register here:

An entrepreneurial event designed for the founders, operators, and creators building what is next in our communities.

05/28/2026

In case you missed it — this year's Big Idea Pitch Contest was our biggest one yet.

Congratulations to our winners:
- First Place, sponsored by NACCE: OnTheSpot — Naperville North High School
- Second Place, sponsored by Perma-Seal: Airobic — Naperville North High School
- Third Place, sponsored by Ezee Fiber: Project Grounds — Lake Zurich High School

A sincere thank you to College of DuPage for their continued partnership, our generous sponsors, every finalist who brought their best idea to the stage, and everyone who joined us for the evening. We cannot wait to do it all again next year.

05/22/2026

Last week, our Managing Director Dan Facchini spoke at the 2026 Green Drives Conference & Expo in Wheaton, representing Innovation DuPage and our Clean Energy Incubator Program.

Dan highlighted the growth of Innovation DuPage as a business incubator and accelerator serving Chicago's western suburbs — and the momentum behind our Clean Energy Incubator Program, which supports entrepreneurs building the next generation of clean energy companies.

The event brought together fleet managers, industry experts, and clean transportation advocates for a full day focused on solutions for cleaner fuels and vehicles. It was a great reminder of why this work matters.

Thank you to Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation for having us!

05/19/2026

Tune in to "Your Money Matters" with Jon Hansen on WGN Radio AM 720 tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Green Grease Environmental owner Anthony Demma will join Managing Director Dan Facchini to discuss how his company converts used cooking oil from restaurants and food service operations into sustainable biodiesel fuel. Anthony will share how participating in Innovation DuPage's Clean Energy Incubator Program is helping him scale his business.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Incubator Program and how it can support your business: https://www.innovationdupage.org/programs/clean-energy-incubator

05/14/2026

Some of the best business connections are the ones that give back. Innovation DuPage members Farr and Swit, LLC and Roam Travel LLC have been working with School of Expressive Arts and Learning - SEAL, a therapeutic day school that supports students with disabilities ages 18-22 as they prepare for life after school. The students gain hands-on work experience in packaging and fulfillment — and two local businesses gain a great team in the process. Innovation DuPage is proud to have members making a difference beyond their businesses, and advisors like Mike Varon who help make it happen.

05/07/2026

National Small Business Week runs May 3–9, and Innovation DuPage is proud to celebrate the 200+ member companies that make up our community. From coffee roasters and fitness studios to tech firms, construction companies, and everything in between — our members represent the full range of what it means to build something from the ground up. Browse, book, hire, and support the people who pour everything into what they do. Check out our member directory to find a business near you! https://www.innovationdupage.org/members-directory

05/05/2026

The 9th Annual Big Idea Pitch Contest is almost here, and the excitement is already on air.

This past weekend, Managing Director Dan Facchini, MS, CFRE and last year's winners Sara Spampinato (1st place) and Noah Wrodarczyk (2nd place) took the time to share what the contest has meant for their entrepreneurial journeys. Sara and Dan spoke with Patti Vasquez on WCPT 820 - Chicago's Progressive Talk, while Noah joined Dan separately on ABC 7 Chicago Saturday morning — each reflecting on their experience and how their businesses have grown since competing.

A special thank you to ID member Marcella Raymond of Marcella Raymond Media for helping make these conversations happen.

The contest returns tomorrow, May 6 at College of DuPage. RSVP and catch both segments with the links below.

WCPT 820 Interview: https://www.innovationdupage.org/news/wcpt-820-interview-dan-facchini-and-sara-spampinato-of-innovation-dupage
ABC 7 Chicago Interview: https://www.innovationdupage.org/news/college-of-dupage-to-host-ninth-annual-big-pitch-contest
RSVP to Attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986532530274?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you to our partners at College of DuPage and our sponsors National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), Perma-Seal Basement Systems, and Ezee Fiber for making this event possible.