2026 Kellogg Entrepreneurship Conference

Get ready for an exciting day of innovation and networking at the Kellogg Global Hub, Evanston. Mark your calendar for April 18, 2026.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just curious, this event is perfect for you. Come meet like-minded people, share ideas, and get inspired. Don’t miss out on the fun and opportunities waiting for you!

Info: Edith Cooper, former Global Head of Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs and co-founder of Medley, has spent her career building at the highest levels of global finance and entrepreneurship. At Goldman, she helped oversee talent strategy for more than 30,000 employees worldwide, shaping leadership pipelines and culture inside one of the world’s most complex institutions. Later, as an entrepreneur, she co-founded Medley to reimagine leadership development and modern work.

In conversation with Mark Achler, Edith will reflect on leading through scale, navigating high-stakes decisions, and making bold transitions from institutional power to startup builder. This keynote sets the tone for a day focused on conviction, resilience, and building with purpose.

Info: How do you build when there is no brand, no capital, and no roadmap? In this conversation, Jai Shekhawat and Kanwal Rekhi reflect on what it actually takes to start from nothing and create enduring companies. Drawing from their own journeys - navigating early uncertainty, securing first customers, building initial teams, and earning credibility as outsiders - they’ll share the mindset and decisions that separate momentum from stagnation. This session is a candid look at what it really means to go from concept to company.

Info: Entrepreneurship doesn’t always begin with a blank slide. In this session, Elliott Hyman, Kevin Halbert, and Cale Werder, moderated by Alex Schneider, break down what it means to buy and scale an existing business. From sourcing deals and raising acquisition capital to stepping into leadership on day one, they’ll share firsthand insights into the risks, realities, and rewards of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, and what the first 100 days truly look like.

Info: Apart from a networking session, the Startup Fair is a live marketplace of ideas and opportunity. Founders from emerging ventures connect directly with students eager to build, operate, and scale. If the panels spark inspiration, this is where you take the next step.

Info: Not all capital is created equal. In this panel, Michael Cohn, Rick Desai, Adam Koopersmith, and Jason Heltzer explore what founders should consider beyond valuation. Drawing on their experience investing in and building high-growth companies, they’ll discuss alignment, governance, timing, and the long-term implications of choosing the right partners. Expect practical advice on how fundraising decisions shape company trajectory and how to think about “smart capital” in today’s market.

Info: In this candid conversation, Kristi Zuhlke, Emily Groden, and Patty Riskind, moderated by Zell Fellows Faculty Co-lead Rebecca Kahnweiler, share how they’ve built companies while navigating capital gaps, bias, and structural barriers in entrepreneurship. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons, they’ll explore leadership identity, access to networks, and how women founders are reshaping the startup ecosystem on their own terms. Expect honesty, practical insight, and a forward-looking conversation about what needs to change.

Info: AI isn’t just a feature — it’s rewriting how companies operate. In this session, Ambarish Gupta and Wael Aburida examine how founders and operators are integrating AI into product, operations, and strategy. From automation and defensibility to pricing and competitive advantage, they’ll share real examples of how business models are evolving and where the most meaningful opportunities for builders lie today.

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