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People and partners

At Ignite Lab, we bring together experienced entrepreneurs, faculty from Loyola schools, mentors, and community partners to support diverse university startups.

Meet them below and learn how they contribute to our entrepreneurial community.


Staff

Ugur_Uygur
Director

Ugur Uygur

Operations Manager

Ainsley Hollender


Partners

We are proud to partner with the following organizations and leaders in the community. Their mentorship and resources enable our members to test their entrepreneurial ideas and launch successful ventures.

  • 1871: Ranked among top university-affiliated incubators globally and offers opportunities for students.
  • Business Law Clinic: Student-run clinic handling incorporation, contracts, trademarks, and business counseling for for-profit and nonprofit clients.
  • CME Business Analytics Lab: Provides hands-on training in financial services and business analytics, supported by the CME Group Foundation.
  • Department of Computer Science: Faculty mentors support Ignite Lab Rockets and Explorers in computer science.
  • inQbate: A Loyola Limited venture offering marketing services to local small businesses.
  • School of Communication: Faculty mentors and student-run agencies provide services to Ignite Lab members.
  • Think Chicago: Partners with the Mayor's innovation initiative, connects members to Chicago Ideas Week and Global EIR.
  • Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global: Educates and supports women business owners globally in expanding their businesses.

Faculty Mentors

The growing list of faculty experts below volunteer regular mentorship hours for Ignite Lab members. Contact Ignite Lab staff for scheduling.

Eric Chan-Tin

Associate Professor, Computer Science

Bio

Jenna Drenten

Associate Professor

Bio

Eve Geroulis

Director, MSIMC Program, Senior Lecturer

Bio

Matthew Groves

Director of Fine Arts

Bio

Neil Klingensmith

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Bio

Konstantin Läufer

Professor

Bio

Kevin Lee

Executive Lecturer

Bio

Kevin McGroarty

Instructor of Visual Communications, Art Support Supervisor

Bio

Svetlozar Nestorov

Associate Professor

Bio

April Lane Schuster

Clinical Professor, Entrepreneurship

Bio

Steve Sachnoff

Lecturer, Department of Management

Bio

George Thiruvathukal

Professor of Computer Science Director of Departmental Computing

Bio

Community Mentors

We are proud to partner with over 40 community mentors, a few of whom are featured below. Each bring valuable skills and backgrounds to Ignite Lab. Fill out this form if you are interested in becoming an Ignite Lab mentor.

Emily Corker

CEO/Founder, Early Stage Strategic Consulting

Connect

Conor Gleeson

Enterprise Sales, Castellum.AI

Connect

Brian Hulseman-Abrams

Former Founder, CEO, and Board Chair, Corporate Imaging Concepts

Connect

Andrew Samaniego

Sr. Enterprise Account Director, Yelp

Connect

Matthew Wren

Founder, VRAR Chicago

Connect

At Ignite Lab, we bring together experienced entrepreneurs, faculty from Loyola schools, mentors, and community partners to support diverse university startups.

Meet them below and learn how they contribute to our entrepreneurial community.


Staff


Partners

We are proud to partner with the following organizations and leaders in the community. Their mentorship and resources enable our members to test their entrepreneurial ideas and launch successful ventures.

  • 1871: Ranked among top university-affiliated incubators globally and offers opportunities for students.
  • Business Law Clinic: Student-run clinic handling incorporation, contracts, trademarks, and business counseling for for-profit and nonprofit clients.
  • CME Business Analytics Lab: Provides hands-on training in financial services and business analytics, supported by the CME Group Foundation.
  • Department of Computer Science: Faculty mentors support Ignite Lab Rockets and Explorers in computer science.
  • inQbate: A Loyola Limited venture offering marketing services to local small businesses.
  • School of Communication: Faculty mentors and student-run agencies provide services to Ignite Lab members.
  • Think Chicago: Partners with the Mayor's innovation initiative, connects members to Chicago Ideas Week and Global EIR.
  • Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global: Educates and supports women business owners globally in expanding their businesses.

Faculty Mentors

The growing list of faculty experts below volunteer regular mentorship hours for Ignite Lab members. Contact Ignite Lab staff for scheduling.


Community Mentors

We are proud to partner with over 40 community mentors, a few of whom are featured below. Each bring valuable skills and backgrounds to Ignite Lab. Fill out this form if you are interested in becoming an Ignite Lab mentor.