THE GEORGE R. AND MARTHA MEANS
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES
was established through a planned gift of the late George R. and Martha Means. Its goal is to support entrepreneurship for Illinois State University students, and the Bloomington/Normal community.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To graduate great entrepreneurship students, encourage them to start new businesses, and support them through mentoring, networking, and funding.
Our
Startup Showcase
event, held every November, features students from across campus competing for startup support. Participants compete their way through two rounds of judging to win thousands of dollars worth of financial and in-kind support. Previous winners include Packback, featured on Shark Tank.
The
Accelerator Program
provides year-round support for Illinois State University student entrepreneurs. It consists of three components:
• Identifying students with entrepreneurial ideas across campus.
• Enrolling students who are developing startup ideas into a formal support program.
• Providing ongoing resources and advice to enrolled students and alumni.
Students who enter the Accelerator may receive continuing advisory support after they graduate. Support at this stage is designed to help them grow to the point where they are good targets for private investors.
DONOR IMPACT
The Means Center operates through the generosity of donors who see the value of supporting entrepreneurship. We invite you to join us in growing the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs by making an online gift.
