From Inspiration to Company
Kellogg concentration focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship

At some point, every entrepreneur will need the resources, mentorship, and skills to grow and scale her business. Understanding that there’s no better environment for incubating an idea than a business school, Kellogg launched the Kellogg Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative (KIEI).
Whether the goal is launching a startup, joining a scaling venture, driving corporate innovation or reigniting growth within a company, Kellogg helps entrepreneurs like Kathryn Bernell (Kellogg ’18) launch and scale their businesses.
As
“By delivering exceptional products, we will educate our consumers that misshapen produce doesn’t have to be divorced from high
Bernell was recently named a Youn Impact Scholar, along with four other Kellogg students who are passionate about creating positive change in the world. The program is endowed by Christopher and Courtney Combe and named after Andrew Youn, a 2006 Kellogg alum who founded the One Acre Fund, a nonprofit working to eradicate hunger and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Last year, Bernell competed in the Kellogg Venture Challenge Shark Tank, a student pitch competition inspired by the ABC show “Shark Tank.” She won first place and $5,000. The competition was started to provide a real-life pitching environment much like the one student entrepreneurs would go on to experience at competitions and when pitching to investors. She is also a member of the Zell Fellows Program, which supports Kellogg students looking to launch their startups or acquire existing ventures.

In addition to perfecting their pitches, students can choose from 50 courses in entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth and scaling, which all evolve to accommodate the changing needs of students and the marketplace. Through strong links with VC investors, such as Pritzker Group Venture Capital, KIEI offers students a one-of-a-kind experience to partner with investment and operating professionals.
Through the Pritzker Group Venture Fellows Program, students participate in a 12-week summer program at Chicago’s 1871 startup incubator where they are mentored by Pritzker Group Venture Capital professionals and receive an initial $20,000 investment in their business.
KIEI was formed to bridge the resource gaps young entrepreneurs face throughout their startup journey, from idea to execution and beyond. By supporting students at every juncture throughout the way, it has supported hundreds of successful