

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: 2026 Innovation Challenge
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 20 Mar, 2026 at 01:00 pm – Fri, 20 Mar, 2026 at 03:00 pm (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: Invent. Build. Pitch. Win.About this EventWelcome to the 2026 Innovation Challenge!Part of the 2026 Business &amp; Leadership Conference — The Blessing: Anointed for Business Friday, March 20, 2026 | Carver Innovation Center | Forest Park, ILThe Innovation Challenge is a live, high-energy invention competition where the boldest problem-solvers, builders, and big thinkers in our community go head-to-head to solve one of the most pressing challenges facing Illinois today.Illinois is losing small manufacturers — and fast. Rising energy costs, crushing tax burdens, and a growing skills gap are pushing small shops out of the state at an accelerating rate. The Innovation Challenge asks a simple but powerful question:What would you invent to make staying in Illinois the smarter choice?This is not a panel discussion. This is not a lecture. This is a live competition where teams invent, build, and pitch a real solution — in real time — in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.Who Should Attend?This challenge is built for people who see a problem and immediately start thinking about how to fix it. We're looking for:Inventors — creative visionaries with big ideas and the drive to make them realEntrepreneurs — strategic thinkers who understand markets, customers, and executionCommunicators — bold presenters who can sell an idea and move a roomYou don't need to be an engineer. You don't need a business degree. You need a sharp mind, a competitive spirit, and something to say.Phase 1 — Pre-Qualifying RoundBefore the live event, all interested participants must complete a pre-qualifying submission. You'll be presented with a real marketplace problem and asked to respond with your invention idea across four structured questions — plus a required video pitch.Submission Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026Finalists Announced: Monday, March 16, 2026RegistrationRegister to receive the pre-qualifying challenge prompt, submission instructions, and all event details via email. Only 18 participants will advance to the live event. Register now — the clock is already running.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/forest-park/2026-innovation-challenge/100001984486077278
- **Event Categories**: Contests, Business
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://consumer.pxf.io/c/1339408/3151484/39691?partnerpropertyid=1191892&MediaPartnerPropertyId=1191892&svlink=14105511&level=1&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2F2026-innovation-challenge-tickets-1984486077278
- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD

## Event venue details

- **city**: Forest Park
- **state**: IL
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Carver Innovation Center
- **lat**: 41.8631527
- **long**: -87.8140095
- **full address**: Carver Innovation Center, 7600 Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 10
- **organizer**: Illinois SBDC-ITC at The Joseph Center (https://allevents.in/org/illinois-sbdc-itc-at-the-joseph-center/25606904)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/2aaaa5c496726700846ae5f956d941718e385c3c811aea164ca97cdfdbb3173c-rimg-w1200-h1553-dc474549-gmir.jpg?v=1772851713
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/9596205ea644d70097e2fa63d192e559d42fa924318fd2e41b5f0a2744ead1be-rimg-w400-h400-dc474649-gmir.jpg?v=1772851713

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Fri, 20 Mar, 2026 at 01:00 pm (-05:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Carver Innovation Center, 7600 Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, United States
- **Q**: What is the ticket price?
  - **A:** starting from 0 up to 0 USD
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Illinois SBDC-ITC at The Joseph Center
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** Contests, Business
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about 2026 Innovation Challenge ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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