Deep dives are coaching sessions that are focused on helping EITs more fully build out their business concepts and business pitches as they enter the final weeks of the Defy program. Volunteers provide in-depth feedback and coaching to EITs through multiple 20 - 25 minute coaching rotations to help them prepare for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming weeks.

Sign up here by April 19th!

EITs in the Bootcamp program are enrolled in a 17-week course that teaches the basics of launching a business. At this event, volunteers participate in a few rounds of small group business coaching and provide feedback, support, and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs preparing for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming months. These events support entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

This event is now closed. If you would like to attend another virtual coaching session, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Demo Day is the culmination of EITs' work in Defy's Business Accelerator, giving them an opportunity to make sales. EITs come prepared to make their best sales pitch, hoping to spread the word about their newly launched businesses, generate sales revenue, and earn referrals. Join us for a virtual event to support EITs' businesses. This year, Defy Illinois is thrilled to partner with Defy Tristate on a joint Demo Day. This is a great opportunity to meet EITs throughout Defy’s network and engage with volunteers within our two regions!

Sign up here by March 15, 2024.

Change Agents partnered with Defy Illinois and Defy graduate and Advisory Board Member Carl Williams to bring you an episode of Defy's impact as well as Carl's personal reentry and entrepreneurship story. The episode highlights the systemic challenges he (and others like him) face upon reentry into society and how unlocking his entrepreneurial potential led him to make his dream a reality. Join us at a Podcast Listening Event on March 5th at Intentional Sports (1841 N Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60639) for a panel conversation and Q&A. Sign up here today and invite a friend!

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Purpose: Come join us for our virtual Mentor Info Session. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved as a Mentor for EITs in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up: To join us at this event, register here no later than February 25th. Please email Melissa at [email protected] with any questions.

Join us for our virtual Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

This event is the culmination of the 17-week Entrepreneurship Bootcamp program. After the pitch showcase, EITs will receive their Drucker Certificates of Entrepreneurship and will be eligible to apply to our Business Accelerator program where they will develop a business plan, financial model, pitch deck, and learn how to scale their business. At these events, volunteers have the opportunity to hear EITs present their business pitches followed by Q&A and feedback sessions.

Sign up here by December 3rd!

Purpose: Come join us for our virtual Mentor Info Session. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved as a Mentor for EITs in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up: To join us at this event, register here no later than November 17th. Please email Melissa at [email protected] with any questions.

Deep dives are coaching sessions that are focused on helping EITs more fully build out their business concepts and business pitches as they enter the final weeks of the Defy program. Volunteers provide in-depth feedback and coaching to EITs through multiple 20 - 25 minute coaching rotations to help them prepare for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming weeks.

Sign up here by October 22nd!

Join us for our virtual Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

EITs in the Bootcamp program are enrolled in a 17-week course that teaches the basics of launching a business. At this event, volunteers participate in a few rounds of small group business coaching and provide feedback, support, and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs preparing for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming months. These events support entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Sign up here by September 24th!

Purpose: Come join us for our virtual Mentor Info Session. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved as a Mentor for EITs in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up: To join us at this event, register here. Please email Melissa at [email protected] with any questions.

Join us for our virtual Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

This event is the culmination of the 14-week Entrepreneurship Bootcamp program. After the pitch showcase, EITs will receive their Drucker Certificates of Entrepreneurship and will be eligible to apply to our Business Accelerator program where they will develop a business plan, financial model, pitch deck, and learn how to scale their business. At these events, volunteers have the opportunity to hear EITs present their business pitches followed by Q&A and feedback sessions.

Sign up here by May 14th!

Deep dives are coaching sessions that are focused on helping EITs more fully build out their business concepts and business pitches as they enter the final weeks of the Defy program. Volunteers provide in-depth feedback and coaching to EITs through multiple 20 - 25 minute coaching rotations to help them prepare for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming weeks.

Sign up here by April 23rd!

Join us for our virtual Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

EITs in the Bootcamp program are enrolled in a 14-week course that teaches the basics of launching a business. At this event, volunteers participate in a few rounds of small group business coaching and provide feedback, support, and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs preparing for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming months. These events support entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Sign up here by March 19th!

Demo Day is the culmination of EITs' work in Defy's Business Accelerator, giving them an opportunity to make sales. EITs come prepared to make their best sales pitch, hoping to spread the word about their newly launched businesses, generate sales revenue, and earn referrals. Join us for a virtual event to support EITs' businesses.

Sign up here by February 15, 2023.

Purpose: Come join us for our virtual Mentor Info Session. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved as a Mentor for EITs in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities, while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up: To join us at this event, register here. Please email Melissa at [email protected] with any questions.

Join us for our virtual Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

Purpose: Come join us for our Mentor Info Sessions. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about our organization and ways to get involved as a Mentor for EITs in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities, while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up: To join us at this event, register here. Please email Melissa at [email protected] with any questions.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 16, at 6:00 pm CST for Defy's Second Bingo Night at Metropolitan Brewing, located at 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618!

What's it all about?

Join us at a fun night of Bingo at Metropolitan Brewing so we can continue to build community and raise vital funds to support our in-prison and post-release work!

• Players must buy their sheets to play (all the proceeds go to Defy). Sheets come in books of 10, and players are allowed to play as many per round as they'd like. The prize for each round is announced at the start of the round, so folks can decide how many sheets they feel like playing based on the prize.

• Pricing for the sheets is $20 for 10, $30 for 20, or $50 for 50.

• Daubers are for sale as well for $5 each (all the proceeds go to Defy). They aren't required to play but are a fun add-on that folks can take with them.

• Bingo runs from 6-9pm CST, with ten rounds (prizes for every round).

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

• Start Time: 6:00 pm CST

• End time: 9:00 pm CST

Sign up here today!

Location: Zoom link will be sent after registration

What’s it all about: Bootcamp Pitch Showcases are the culminating events for hard-working Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) completing the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp program. During a pitch showcase, EITs will present their business ideas for feedback. During the event, EITs will pitch their business ideas (virtually) to successfully graduate from the Bootcamp program and have the opportunity to be admitted to the Accelerator program.

Sign up here.

Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. This is a special event to hold a virtual BPC for EITs at the Logan Correctional Center who were not able to take part in our event on 8/30/22. With permission from the prison, we will have volunteers listen in virtually to the EITs’ pitches and at the end of the competition, a winning pitch will be selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

Sign up here by October 14, 2022

Join us for our Volunteer Info Session event! This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Defy Ventures and ways to get involved. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer opportunities, and Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement and expectations while allowing plenty of space for questions and comments. So please, tell a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here!

Location: Zoom (link will be issued after registering)

Description: Deep dives are coaching sessions that are focused on helping EITs more fully build out their business concepts and business pitches as they enter the final weeks of the Defy program. Volunteers provide in-depth feedback and coaching to EITs through multiple 20 - 25 minute coaching rotations to help them prepare for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming weeks.

Sign Up Here!

**If you have not yet registered as a volunteer with Defy, please do so before signing up for this event.

Location: Zoom (link will be issued after registering)

Description: EITs in the Bootcamp program are enrolled in a 14-week course that teaches the basics of launching a business. At this event, volunteers participate in a few rounds of small group business coaching and provide feedback, support, and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs preparing for their pitch showcase and graduation in the coming months. These events support entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Sign Up Here!

**If you have not yet registered as a volunteer with Defy, please do so before signing up for this event.

During this session you will learn more about Defy’s programs and the organization’s mission and vision. You will also learn about the ways to get involved as a Mentor for Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) in the Business Accelerator. We will be discussing topics that range from best practices, volunteer expectations, and EIT experiences. We will also be doing a deeper dive into volunteer engagement, and responsibilities, while allowing plenty of space for questions, comments, and concerns. This conversation will be held over Zoom.

Sign up here and you will receive the Zoom link.

Purpose: Pitch Showcases are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the Entrepreneur Bootcamp program. During a Showcase, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. At the end of the event, EITs receive a certificate of completion from Defy, followed by a graduation ceremony.

Sign up here.