The Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program

GreenGather is an event management platform dedicated to transforming how events are planned, managed, and executed to address environmental degradation caused by unsustainable practices. By seamlessly integrating with established platforms like Eventbrite and Cvent, GreenGather enhances their functionalities with sustainability-focused features, making eco-conscious event planning accessible and efficient. The venture has raised $143,000 and is developing a prototype based on insights from customer discovery interviews with organizations such as Greenbiz and The Rockefeller Foundation.

The Green Energy Justice Cooperative (GEJC) addresses energy poverty and lack of access to clean energy for low- and moderate-income households in the Greater Chicago area through a member-owned clean energy cooperative model. By allowing members to own a stake in clean energy infrastructure, GEJC enables them to reduce energy costs and build equity. To date, the venture has raised $420,000 in capital from funders including the US Department of Energy and the Community Power Accelerator, and won the 2023 Illinois Shines competition from the Illinois Power Agency to advance its mission of creating equitable access to clean energy.

AirVitalize Innovations develops scalable, patent-pending air purification technology to combat particulate matter pollution — the leading environmental threat to public health. By decentralizing industrial-grade filtration, AirVitalize provides adaptable solutions for high-risk communities, including Los Angeles and Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2024 the venture captured 86,000 micrograms of particulate matter, expanded manufacturing to two locations, and secured over $240,000 in funding, including $105,000 from FBomb Angels. With three new patents filed, participation in nine entrepreneurship programs, and growing community advocacy with 480+ petition signatures, AirVitalize continues to scale its impact, driving innovation and policy support for cleaner, healthier environments.