Circular Economy StartUp Simulator

Ready to innovate for a sustainable future?

Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago is launching a free, multi-activity, noncredit certificate program for high school students interested in sustainability, innovation, and technologies. Through this program, students will explore Circular Economy concepts and develop their own ideas for Circular startups using Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality tools.

Use this registration form to sign up today! Teachers are welcome to share this opportunity with their classes.

NEIU will host two free, on-campus workshops:

• Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To give students the information needed for the workshops, a free, asynchronous online course will be released in February 2026 and available through April.

Finally, we will host an Entrepreneur Night on either May 5 or 6, where the best business ideas will be presented. Cash Prizes will be awarded to the top three projects. Additionally, students who complete all modules of this course and attend 2 in-person events will receive a noncredit certificate of completion from NEIU.

Please contact us for any questions or concerns! Email: cape@neiu.edu or call (773) 442-5081 during regular business hours.