Technology Entrepreneur Center

TEC equips students and faculty to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and create innovative startups with global impact by providing courses, programs, events, ecosystem resources, and opportunities. TEC was created in 2000 as a center in the university and became a "Permanent Center" in 2007. Created to highlight the University’s rich history and culture of innovation, TEC continues to inspire its students to become the next generation of world-changing visionaries, leaders and entrepreneurs. This is accomplished through its [courses](https://tec.illinois.edu/academics/courses), venture and product competitions, workshops and other curricular and [extra-curricular events](https://tec.illinois.edu/programs) that expose students to the concepts of technology innovation and market adoption. TEC offers [on-campus and online courses and certificate programs](https://tec.illinois.edu/academics) and hosts outreach activities for students and alumni. TEC also administers the annual [Cozad New Venture Challenge](https://tec.illinois.edu/programs/cozad) and the [Illinois Innovation Award](https://tec.illinois.edu/programs/iip), among several other programs. As of June 2018, the Office of the Associate Dean for Innovation and Entrepreneurship oversees TEC.