At a glance
Indexed programs
8
7 currently active
Top direct funding
No direct cash prizes indexed
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
4
Pitch Competition · Central Hub · Student Enterprise
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
8 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
Startups
Post a startupSharing
Circular-economy sharing app; $15,000 second place at Loyola's Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge 2023.
Sustainler
Sustainable medical devices venture; $10,000 third place at Loyola's Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge 2023.
TIKAL
Sustainable business venture; Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge winner 2022 and 1871 Women Tech Founders participant (Loyola).
TyphaTex
Sustainable fashion textiles from cattail plants; $20,000 first place at Loyola's Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge 2023.
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Known Startups and Winners
- TyphaTex — Sustainable fashion ($20K Abrams Challenge 1st 2023)
- TIKAL — Sustainable business (Abrams Challenge winner 2022, 1871 Women Tech Founders)
- Sharing — Circular economy app ($15K Abrams Challenge 2nd 2023)
- Sustainler — Sustainable medical devices ($10K Abrams Challenge 3rd 2023)
More about this ecosystem
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university in Chicago, Illinois, with approximately 16,500 students. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on the Ignite Lab (Quinlan School of Business startup incubator, Director Ugur Uygur, two-tier Explorer/Rocket membership), the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise & Responsibility (social impact hub, home to Baumhart Scholars MBA and Baumhart Impact Fund), and the Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Parkinson School. Key programming includes the New Venture Pitch Competition ($6K total), Side Hustle Showcase ($500 awards), the concluded Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge ($45K), and the Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest ($35K, with MATTER). Loyola Led Enterprises is a distinctive student-run business program generating $4M+ in revenue since 2010.
Ecosystem Overview
- Central hub: Ignite Lab (Quinlan School of Business, Chicago Water Tower Campus)
- Social impact hub: Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise & Responsibility
- Health entrepreneurship hub: CHIE at Parkinson School
- Pitch competitions: New Venture Pitch Competition ($6K), Side Hustle Showcase ($500), Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge ($45K, concluded), Health Equity Quest ($35K, with MATTER)
- Venture fund: Baumhart Impact Fund ($25K-$50K impact investments, first cycle 2026-2027)
- Student-run enterprises: Loyola Led Enterprises ($4M+ revenue, since 2010)
- Tech transfer: Office of Research Services / Technology Transfer Committee
- Academic: BBA in Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Minor, Baumhart Scholars MBA (social impact)
News & articles
8 articles
University pages(8)
Loyola University Chicago
Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge
Annual sustainable business pitch competition for Loyola students, hosted by the Baumhart Center and School of Environmental Sustainability. Ran for three years (2022–2024) with $45,000 in total prize money. Described as concluded on the Baumhart Center website.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise & Responsibility
Social enterprise hub housed in the Quinlan School of Business, established through an anonymous $5 million gift. Named after Loyola's longest-serving President Raymond Baumhart. Directed by Karen Weigert.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CHIE)
Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship launched in 2020 at the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. Founding Director Michael Bloom, PhD. Serves as a central hub for health entrepreneurship education, I-Corps@NCATS training, and the annual Health Equity Quest.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
Annual health innovation summit and pitch competition co-hosted by Loyola's Parkinson School (CHIE) and MATTER, a Chicago healthcare incubator. Launched in 2022. Offers up to $35,000 in prizes for startups addressing health equity.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Ignite Lab
Quinlan School of Business startup incubator serving students, staff, and faculty. Directed by Associate Professor Ugur Uygur. Offers free membership with mentorship, workshops, legal services via Business Law Clinic, and marketing consultation with MBA students.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
New Venture Pitch Competition
Annual elevator pitch competition hosted by the Quinlan School of Business for all Loyola students. First held in 2022. Offers $6,000 in total cash prizes across two rounds of pitching.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago Entrepreneurship Ecosystem — Research Report
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago Entrepreneurship Ecosystem — Research Report
Comprehensive research report on Loyola University Chicago's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Assessment: Tier 3 (Developing). Ecosystem is Quinlan School of Business-centered with additional hubs in Parkinson School (health entrepreneurship) and School of Environmental Sustainability.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Technology Transfer — Office of Research Services
Technology transfer function managed by the Office of Research Services. Uses a Technology Transfer Committee (TTC) to review inventions and TreMonti Consulting for marketing technologies to potential licensees. Patent policy governs revenue sharing between inventors, schools, and the university.
Read on Loyola University Chicago
Compiled from public sources; not reviewed or endorsed by the school. Request a correction or removal.