IllinoisVENTURES

About The Fund

IllinoisVENTURES is a seed and early-stage investment firm established by the University of Illinois in 2002, focusing on high-growth potential companies across various sectors such as Software, IT & TMT, BioTech, FinTech & Financial services, Hardware & Manufacturing, Energy, Retail & E-Commerce, IoT & Wearables, A.I. & Big Data, Material Science, Medical Devices & Hospital Services, and Life Science. Their headquarters are in Chicago with a regional office in Champaign, Illinois. The firm engages with research-derived companies to leverage innovations originating from the University of Illinois. They offer three types of funding: proof of concept grants, seed funding, and venture capital. IllinoisVENTURES aims to support companies through their developmental stages, contributing to their evolution from fledgling ventures to successful enterprises. This development is aided by their team, which provides industry experience, mentorship, and operational support to portfolio companies. IllinoisVENTURES operates with a mission to advance Illinois' research and technology development to the commercial market and generate attractive returns for their investors. Their involvement has the dual impact of fostering economic growth while backing novel and transformative technologies. The portfolio section of their website highlights notable investments in several companies operating in fields ranging from cancer treatment and robotic agriculture to advanced WiFi technology and data analytics. As stated, they have a robust approach to supporting entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of their maturation stage, and are committed to making meaningful connections to improve the world through bold and innovative enterprises.