Kane County will lead a high-octane discussion on how to retain innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy’s Th[in]k Café.

And you’re invited to attend.

The Th[in]k Café is a new, weekly community networking program — a think tank for innovative minds collaborating on entrepreneurial ideas and organizational challenges — and part of the IMSA’s IN2 innovation center.

“This type of programming is the first of its kind for the state’s premier residential secondary school, and there is no other program like it in the Chicagoland community,” said Betty Hart, IN2 program manager. “Our guiding principle at IN2 is to be a collaborative space for IMSA and the community to advance the human condition through innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The program includes café style networking, problem solving and idea sharing from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Wednesday. On Nov. 9, Kane County and city of Aurora officials, local entrepreneurs and not-for-profit leaders will gather to discuss one of the lesser-known local technology breakthroughs in recent years — Kane County’s and Aurora’s fiber-optic cable network.

The event is free and registration is highly encouraged as IMSA is a secure campus and pre-registered guest gain easier access to the IN2 facility.

• Click here to register for the event.

Aurora’s and Kane County’s fiber-optics network might be one of the region’s best kept secrets, a technology resource accessible to local entrepreneurs, businesses and local governments. The Nov. 9 program will explore how can public- and private-sector leaders can work together to effectively retain innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses by supporting and connecting them.

Hook Up With the Th[in]nk Cafe

• What: Th[in]k Café takes idea exchange and solution input outside the box of conventional thought. This new weekly community networking program at IN2, IMSA’s innovation center is a think tank for innovative minds to collaborate on entrepreneurial ideas and organizational challenges.
• Who: Community members, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, community organizations, local government, any person who has a business/operations idea or organizational challenge.
• When: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9,
• Where: IMSA – IN2, 1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora. View Map
• Why: To provide a collaborative space for IMSA and the community to share ideas, guide innovation and advance the human condition through innovation and entrepreneurship.
• How it Works: Each week at Th[in]k Café, one or two presenters deliver a 10-minute pitch on an industry-specific problem or idea. Presenters describe an opportunity or suggestion and receive 20 minutes of interactive feedback from an audience of community peers and IMSA students, faculty and staff.
• Want to Be a Presenter? Click here to apply.
• Questions? Email Betty Hart, IN2 program manager, at bhart@imsa.edu

Monthly Schedule

• Nov. 9 –   Local Government (Parks, Libraries, etc.)
• Nov. 16 – Non-Profits/ Not For Profits
• Nov. 30 – Pitch IN-Perfect (Open Networking)
• Dec. 2 –   Business
• Dec. 14 – Local Government
• Dec. 21 – Non-Profits/Not-For-Profits

SOURCE: IN2

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