'Tech playground' greets women at Naperville innovation event

It was a "tech playground" for scientific-minded female entrepreneurs during an inaugural event at the new innovation center Hub88 on the Nokia campus in Naperville.

As part of the STEAMahead program in innovation and business acceleration for women in scientific, technological, engineering-related, artistic or mathematical careers, Hub88 hosted STEAMfest 2018 with the theme "Exploring Endless Possibilities."

Participants in high school, college or careers encountered talks by female entrepreneurs who have started businesses and corporate innovators who are excited about nurturing young women in so-called "STEAM" careers.

The event also featured a "tech playground" of women building robots, working on the industrial "Internet of Things," flying drones, simulating situations in computer-aided design and building apps for various devices.

"Hub88 is pleased to have such a promising local group of corporate support, with startups and high-growth female-owned businesses joining our growing entrepreneurial community," entrepreneur and STEAMahead founder Martha Carney said in a news release.

"The quality and diversity of both female and male participants in the inaugural STEAMfest 2018 will create impact. These early outcomes are an indicator of the potential need for start-up services that are reflective of our female business community and the job creation activity that will result."