BOOST: October 24, 2023
BOOST, or “Building Opportunities for Original and Sustainable Thinking,” has been a longstanding program to support emerging entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to promote sustainability in their communities with innovative products and solutions. This year, as a way to launch Delta’s year-long 25th anniversary celebration, we are hosting a very special anniversary BOOST, where we will be inviting back the all stars from our previous BOOST winners to share the impact of their work since they last won BOOST and win a larger investment. BOOST is an annual pitchfest where the audience decides the winners of the competition. Collectively, we plan to award a record $25,000 in funding to four exceptional BOOST winners in commemoration of Delta’s 25th anniversary.
Finalists
We are pleased to announce this year’s finalists are:
- Quilen Blackwell of Chicago Eco House / Southside Blooms
- Selma Sims of Gardeneers
- Jannice Newson of Lillian Augusta Hair
- Sophie Lieberman of Zumwalt Acres
Join us in helping us select this year’s grand prize winner! All guests who register for the event will be invited to vote for who becomes this year’s special anniversary BOOST award winner!
Sponsorships
Sponsorship opportunities start at $1,000. For questions about sponsorships or the event, please email Patrick Murphy, Delta’s Director for Donor Stewardship.
Venue
We would like to thank the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship for hosting BOOST this year! Kaplan Institute “believes that higher education is best realized when applied to positive, practical change.” Their mission is to guide Illinois Tech students on a direct path to becoming Chicago’s next tech leaders.
Kaplan Institute at Illinois Tech
3137 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60616
PRESENTING SPONSORS
DIAMOND SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GREEN SPONSOR
More about BOOST
BOOST is an annual event organized by the Delta Emerging Leaders associate board of Delta Institute. Since its inception, the BOOST program has awarded grants to 20 start-ups ranging from local composting businesses, biodegradable hair products designed for Black women, regenerative agriculture farming, an accessible repair-and-share tool library, a zero-waste grocer, conservation efforts integrating renewable energy, waste diversion to support small businesses, and much more.
Please enjoy the photos and video recording from last year’s BOOST event, presented by American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact and United Airlines, where we featured four excellent finalists: babygami co, Centreville Citizens for Change, EcoShip, and Rewilding Acres of Eco.Logic.
