Kennedy-King’s Tech Launchpad Named Chicago Innovation Awards Finalist

Kennedy-King College’s Tech Launchpad has been named one of the Top 100 Finalists for the 24th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards. Out of 315 nominees, the Tech Launchpad stood out for its commitment to redefining access, equity, and excellence in IT education and workforce development for underserved communities.

As a finalist, Kennedy-King College is now in the running for the Chicago Innovation “People’s Choice Award,” and the City Colleges community has the power to help bring this honor home. Voting is open now through Thursday, October 9 at Chicago Innovation People’s Choice Award Voting. Kennedy-King will also receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend The Practical Innovator, a day-long course led by faculty from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

This recognition highlights the impact of City Colleges’ efforts to connect students with emerging technologies, career opportunities, and the support they need to succeed. The Tech Launchpad is preparing students for high-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Let’s support Kennedy-King College and the Tech Launchpad by casting your vote today. Help us celebrate the innovation happening right here at City Colleges!

Read the full release below.

CHICAGO— (September 18, 2025) – Out of 315 nominees, Kennedy King College’s Tech Launchpad has been selected as one of the Top 100 Finalists still in the running for the 24^th annual Chicago Innovation Awards.  The awards celebrate the most innovative new products and services in the Chicago region across all organization sizes, sectors and industries.

More than 700 business and civic leaders will come together to honor the winners when they are announced on November 13, 2025 at the UIC Forum.

The Tech Launchpad is redefining access, equity, and excellence in IT education and workforce development for underserved communities in Chicago. Rooted in a mission of social and workforce equity, it serves as a community-centered innovation ecosystem—preparing students for high-demand careers in emerging tech fields while actively dismantling barriers to participation.

“Being named a Top 100 Finalist for the Chicago Innovation Awards is a powerful recognition of what the Tech Launchpad represents. At Kennedy-King College, we believe that talent is abundant here and that the Tech Launchpad is preparing our students for the future of work, while uplifting entire communities in the process,” said President Katonja Webb Walker, Kennedy-King College.

The Tech Launchpad connects residents to industry leaders, emerging technologies, and real-world opportunities. With a focus on equity and excellence, the program integrates cutting-edge curriculum with wraparound supports including scholarships, mentorship, career coaching, and access to workforce opportunities.

Students are not only gaining skills in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing—they are also gaining social capital, confidence, and a clear path to economic mobility. With over $1 million in philanthropic investment from SDI Presence, the Tech Launchpad has become a national model for how community colleges can drive inclusive innovation. Its impact is measured not just in credentials earned, but in lives changed, families uplifted, and communities revitalized.

For more information about the Tech Launchpad click here or visit: https://techlaunchpad.ccc.edu/

“Chicago continues to rise as a global hub of innovation that cuts across industries, large corporations and startups, for-profits and non-profits,” said Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation.  “The impact that this year’s nominees generated is profound – their new products and services generated $4.2 billion in revenues and created over 2,300 new jobs.”

As one of the Top 100 Finalists, City Colleges of Chicago will receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend The Practical Innovator, a day-long executive education course on October 14^th led by top faculty who teach innovation at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Each of the Top 100 Finalists is also in the running for the annual “People’s Choice Award,” selected through online balloting at https://chicagoinnovation.com/nominations/. Out of the Top 100 Finalists, the judges will select 20 winners of the Chicago Innovation Awards.  In addition to being celebrated at the Chicago Innovation Awards on November 13^th, the winners will be invited to ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City and receive widespread media recognition.

About City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago, a system of seven colleges, prepares more than 73,000 students annually with a quality, affordable education leading to transfer, careers, and a path to upward mobility. City Colleges encompasses seven colleges: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Wilbur Wright College and Harold Washington College, five satellite sites: Dawson Technical Institute, South Chicago Learning Center, Arturo Velasquez Institute, Wright-Humboldt Park, and the Malcolm X College West Campus, along with the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute.

For more information about City Colleges of Chicago, or to register, call (773) COLLEGE, visit www.ccc.edu, or find us on Facebook (City Colleges of Chicago), Twitter (@ChiCityColleges), or Instagram (citycollegeschicago).