Manu Edakara

• B.S., Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2014

• Director of iVenture, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023 to present

• Young Distinguished Alumni, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois, 2022-2022
• Distinguished Alumni, York Community High School, 2020-2020
• Forbes 30 under 30 in Education, Forbes, 2020-2020

iVenture Startup Accelerator

iventure.illinois.edu

iVenture Accelerator Sem I (BADM 463) Designed for students actively engaged in learning through venturing, primarily students in the iVenture Accelerator, the educational accelerator for top student startups at Illinois. This highly collaborative course provides theory, context, and skills to enhance experiential learning-by-venturing. Topics include: feasibility analysis, business modeling, industry analysis, competitor analysis, ethical and legal foundations, corporate forms, building venture teams, growth financing, marketing for startups, intellectual property protection and commercialization, and planning for growth.

iVenture Accelerator Sem II (BADM 464) Designed for students actively engaged in learning through venturing, primarily students in the iVenture Accelerator. Alongside collaboratively planning and discussing the future of their ventures, we explore the interplay of venturing, entrepreneurial skills, and career decisions. Students conduct quarterly board meetings; develop personal boards of advisors; and learn from speakers who have built diverse, entrepreneurial careers. Topics include: venture management and governance, financing, team hiring and dynamics, and strategies for growth.