Innovate Springfield March 2026 | Pitches, Milestones, and What's Coming in April
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Innovate Springfield | Monthly Newsletter
March 2026
From pitches to milestones, here is what March looked like
March was a full month at Innovate Springfield. From student pitch sessions and a six-week AI Bootcamp to a 60th anniversary celebration and a new member spotlight, the community showed up in meaningful ways. Here is a look at what happened this month.
Member Spotlight / Women's History Month
Dr. Maggie RiveraIn honor of Women's History Month, Innovate Springfield spotlights Dr. Maggie Rivera, CEO of the Illinois Migrant Council. Raised in a farmworker family, her journey comes full circle as she now leads the organization that once supported families like her own. Her work continues to expand opportunity for communities across the region. "Once you have an education, it's yours forever. Nobody can take that away from you." — Dr. Maggie Rivera
Community Milestone
Illinois Migrant Council: 60 Years of ImpactThis month, the Illinois Migrant Council celebrated 60 years of service supporting migrant and seasonal farmworkers and underserved communities. The celebration kicked off with a networking mixer at the state capitol, hosted in collaboration with Innovate Springfield, and included recognition from Governor JB Pritzker. This milestone represents decades of work toward a more inclusive future.
March 3 / Education
PELP Meets Sangamon CEOInnovate Springfield hosted the University of Illinois System's President's Executive Leadership Program alongside Sangamon CEO students, giving students the opportunity to pitch their ventures directly to high-level faculty and administrators. The session connected emerging entrepreneurs with executive-level feedback and reinforced the link between the classroom and the professional world.
Ongoing / Sangamon CEO
Students Learning by DoingThroughout March, Sangamon CEO students continued building real-world skills through site visits, guest speakers, and hands-on industry exposure. Highlights included a visit to SIU School of Medicine, conversations with local businesses Resource One Office and MJ Kellner, and a talk from program alum Lauralynn Weihmer on entrepreneurship and resilience. This month, we are proud to highlight six students:
Peyton M. — Future civil engineering student developing entrepreneurial ideas
Dominic M. — Aspiring finance and accounting student gaining real-world business insight
Caroline W. — Founder of a custom trucker hat business and future Exercise Science student
Paityn H. — Building an AI receptionist business concept
Owen J. — Founder of Kinetic Cookies and future Agricultural Business student
Jori F. — Developing a plant-based cleaning business and future educator
March 4 & Community Events
Breakfast, History, and Small BusinessOn March 4, Innovate Springfield client Krasan hosted a morning breakfast in the space, bringing professionals together for connection and conversation. Later in the month, Innovate Springfield hosted a history-focused event featuring Devin Hunter, creating space for reflection on important stories and perspectives. On March 18, Innovate Springfield joined the nationwide celebration of SBDC Day by hosting Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois live on WMAY News during the #AMSpringfield program. The broadcast featured local entrepreneurs Strupco, Little Lincoln's Toy Shop, and Wellthy Juice Co. The Springfield Minority Business Institute also joined, reflecting an ongoing commitment to supporting diverse founders.
Programs
AI Bootcamp and Angel Flight SchoolOver six weeks, Innovate Springfield hosted an AI Bootcamp led by Daniel Reifenberger. Participants learned to analyze business content with AI, build personalized solutions, automate workflows, and improve productivity through practical, hands-on work. Angel Flight School continued through March as well, with sessions covering valuation, cap tables, dilution, due diligence, and investment strategy. Participants will celebrate at the program's graduation on April 16, featuring keynote speaker Rick Landuyt.
Coming Up
Upcoming EventsApril 16, 2026
Angel Flight School Graduation
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UIS Innovate Springfield
Innovate Springfield | April 2026 Innovate Springfield | Monthly Newsletter April 2026 From farewells to big ideas, here is what April looked like at Innovate Springfield. April was one of our busiest and most meaningful months yet. We said thank you to an incredible instructor, celebrated a graduating cohort, welcomed the mayor, hosted two back-to-back events in a single day, and capped it all off with a live pitch competition. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, we got some big news...
Member Spotlight: Dimeji Adaramewa University of Illinois Springfield Innovate Springfield Member Spotlight • April 2026 This Month's Member Dimeji Adaramewa Graduate Research Assistant, MPART~OMI Engineer • Researcher • AI Architect From Mechanical Engineering to Medicaid Policy He Came to Springfield Looking for Opportunity. He Found a Mission. Dimeji Adaramewa did not plan to end up in healthcare policy research. He studied mechanical engineering at Covenant University in Nigeria, worked...
Member Spotlight: Dr. Maggie Rivera Women’s History Month This March, we are honoring the women who built community with their own hands and never stopped showing up. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD Innovate Springfield Member Spotlight · March 2025 This Month’s Leader Dr. Maggie Rivera CEO, Illinois Migrant CouncilAdvocate. Scholar. Mentor. Why Dr. Rivera. Why Now. She Came Up in the Fields. Now She Leads the Organization That Was There for Families Like Hers. Dr. Maggie Rivera has been...