Event Dates: September 26-29, 2023
UW–Madison Innovate Week is designed for an audience of campus researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, social impact innovators, and makers of impactful products. Dates are Tues.-Fri. Sep. 26-29, 2023 (no programs Mon. Sep. 25, Yom Kippur). Event goals include highlighting the value and impact of entrepreneurship and innovation; providing inspiration, learning and networking opportunities; and raising awareness of programs, resources and opportunities for campus innovators. Campus and eligible community entrepreneurial resource organizations* that offer programs or resources available to campus innovators (i.e., UW-Madison faculty, staff and students) can participate by hosting in-person or virtual events.
Potential event types include talks or panels with “how I did it” stories from successful entrepreneurs, researchers engaged in technology commercialization, and social impact innovators; thought leaders/experts who can speak to key trends; industry partnership or career development topics; and networking opportunities. Office hours from a program/service are also an option. Open Houses, resource overviews, “how to/101” topics, and other content that can be found easily on campus or on-demand have been less successful in attracting audiences. We welcome submission of and partnership with events that you may already be planning that are a fit for Innovate Week. It’s fine if events are open to the community in addition to campus audiences, but they don’t need to be. UW-Madison campus event locations are recommended. While the best days/times for your event vary depending on your target audience (faculty, staff or students), more successful event times include noon hour or after 5 p.m. start times.
Innovate Week will be coordinated and the overall event promoted by Discovery to Product (D2P) on behalf of the Innovate Network. Campus and community entrepreneurial resource organizations* offering events will coordinate and fund their events, secure locations, and handle event production, registration, and cross-promotion of their own events.
How to Host An Event
Plan
- Consider your goals, audience, date, time, content, speakers, location or virtual platform, and registration details.
- Consult the Planning Calendar to see already planned events.
- Discuss your event idea, audiences, timing with D2P staff. Contact Mary Carbine.
Submit your event idea (below) by July 14
- Once submitted, we will reach out to make sure your event is a great fit for the week. If all looks good, we will confirm you’re set to host, and provide next steps.
Finalize event logistics and details by August 1
- D2P will promote Innovate Week as a whole through UW–Madison’s Innovate Network, UW–Madison channels, and our campus partners. Event hosting organizations are strongly encouraged to promote their events as well. Finalizing key event details in early August and your cross-promotion are key to attracting an audience for your event.
*Eligible community entrepreneurial support organizations are nonprofit, educational and government organizations or accelerators that support entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses through education, training, networking, technical assistance, financial or physical services.
NOTE: When your form is fully completed and submitted, you will receive an email confirmation. If you are having problems with the form, please email contact@innovate.wisc.edu.