Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We encourage creative thinking, the implementation of ideas and we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit.

The Brand Hub believes in promoting innovation through increased access to cutting edge technologies and fostering relationships with outside the box thinkers and disrupters. We provide the resources to take the seed of an idea and turn it into a viable product that will make a lasting impression on the advertising industry.

Technology Entrepreneurship Center’s SocialFuse

A pitching and networking event that brings people together from a variety of backgrounds to share skills, ideas, and entrepreneurial ambitions. The Brand Hub is an annual sponsor of this special event, which is hosted by the Technology Entrepreneurship Center.

Click here for more information.

Industry Sponsored Hackathons & Makeathons

The Brand Hub inspires students to think on their feet and to rise to the challenge of completing a complex task in a fast paced environment. These fun, industry sponsored events give students the opportunity to flex their idea muscles and to bond with teammates from different backgrounds and disciplines. Coming Fall 2022.

Sandage Innovation Award

Do you have an amazing idea and need the tools to bring your startup or product to life? The Hub for Brand Innovation, and esteemed industry partners, have established The Sandage Innovation Award program, an annual competition that recognizes honorees who have done outstanding design work in a multitude of Adtech product categories. Coming Spring 2023.

Blockchain Media for Brand Innovation Program

The Hub for Brand Innovation and Advertising Technology at the University of Illinois is launching a new applied research program for U of I students to obtain essential knowledge and skills for developing blockchain media and NFTs for brand promotion and social marketing.