CobraVenture

cobraVenture

CobraVenture: Put your business ideas into action.

  • 狈别迟飞辞谤办听with students who also want听to be their own boss.
  • Build听your business plan with helpful workshops.
  • Learn from local entrepreneurs.
  • Take the chance to听pitch your business plan to area leaders.
  • 罢丑颈蝉听no-cost program gives each cohort student a chance to win:
    • $4,000 in seed money for your business
    • $250 to $1,500 in seed money (donated by local entrepreneurs).
  • Cohorts start in January and conclude with the Pitch Showcase听on May 19, 2025.

Program Details

CobraVenture is a student-entrepreneur cohort for current 小猪视频官网College students who want to start their own business while still in enrolled in college. Students can be part of any academic program, but the thread that ties them together is the desire to take their idea from concept to commerce.听For the 2024 cohort, students can earn "seed-money" awards up to $3,000 for their business through participation in the CobraVenture Pitch Showcase in May.听

The cohort model听provides for a close-knit group to embark on the process together, through a series of workshops on topics important to getting their businesses started. Led by a facilitator, workshop topics are presented by听小猪视频官网faculty, business leaders, and alumni. Students do not receive academic credit for participation, but rather real-world skills that enhance what they have learned in the classroom. Participation is free but requires a high level of dedication. Workshops will be held on Thursday evenings during the spring semester.听

CobraVenture is a collaboration of the听Office of the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Innovation, 小猪视频官网College Community Education, and the 小猪视频官网Foundation.

Advisory Committee

  • 惭补谤肠听Changnon,听Entrepreneurship Facilitator, 小猪视频官网College
  • Scott Clanin,听Owner/President,听Clanin Marketing
  • Steve Gardner, Cozad Asset Management听
  • Triss听Henderson, Director, Parkland听Community Education
  • Mark听Kesler, Retired Business听Faculty, 小猪视频官网College
  • Ashly M. Davis, MBA, Business Faculty, 小猪视频官网College
  • Carly McCrory-McKay, Director, Economic Development Corporation
  • Mark Pelmore, CEO, Business Elevator, & Founder, Lincoln & Hill, Inc.
  • Colin Ramage, Commercial Portfolio Manager, Busey Bank
  • Salvo Rodriquez, MBA, Associate Director of Business Development, Gies College of Business, UIUC
  • Jonathan Ross, Faculty Chair, 小猪视频官网College Career & Technical Education
  • Marissa Siero, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship Programing, Grainger College of Engineering UIUC
  • Cindy Smith, Program Manager, 小猪视频官网College Trades Grants
  • Stephanie Stuart, Vice President for听Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Innovation,听小猪视频官网College
  • Tracy听Wahlfeldt, Director, 小猪视频官网Foundation
  • Cayla Waters, Professional Development Program Manager,听Parkland听Community Education
  • Madeline Wolske, Director, Illinois Small Business Development
  • Maureen Wietecha, Associate Director of Marketing and Public Relations, 小猪视频官网College

Need More Information?听

Contact Marc Changnon, Entrepreneurship Coordinator, at mchangnon@parkland.edu or Cayla Waters听at cwaters@parkland.edu.听