Industry Resources

The National Venture Capital Association

The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers the next generation of American companies that will fuel the economy of tomorrow. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital and startup community, NVCA advocates for public policy that supports the American entrepreneurial ecosystem. Serving the venture community as the preeminent trade association, NVCA arms the venture community for success, serving as the leading resource for venture capital data, practical education, peer-led initiatives, and networking.

1871

Founded in 2012, 1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 1871 is the home of nearly 500 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 140,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, tech talent schools, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition — the state’s leading technology advocate, a number of Chicago-based VCs, and satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Trinity University, and DePaul University.

iBIO

iBIO is a life sciences industry association that represents the 85,000 life sciences employees at member companies, universities, service providers and venture firms. iBIO promotes the industry’s value to the public and policymakers; connects innovators to investment and talent; stimulates collaboration and fosters the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to transform patient lives through groundbreaking research and works to grow the Illinois economy.

mHUB

mHUB fosters connections between local manufacturers, university researchers and our city’s entrepreneurial community of makers and technologists, not to mention investors who are eager to support new businesses. By galvanizing these connections, mHUB ensures that the Midwest region’s manufacturing industry continues to grow, lead, and reduce the cost and barriers to entry for physical product innovation.

MATTER

Incubated by the City of Chicago and initially funded by the State of Illinois and area businesses, MATTER opened in February 2015 with 30 startup companies and a few programs, and has since grown to include hundreds of startup and growth stage companies from around the world, dozens of corporate partners and a diverse array of programs supporting healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Discovery Partners Institute

The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is a purpose-driven, collaborative research institute located in Chicago that is focused on building prosperity for all and growing the state’s workforce by creating solutions to grand challenges. DPI’s mission is to revitalize the Illinois economy by reinventing the role of the research university through interdisciplinary public-private partnerships that aggressively drive technology-based economic growth with global impact. Building upon our many collective successes, we aim to improve the quality of life for all, drive the State of Illinois’s economic growth, and have global impact.

Cures Within Reach

Cures Within Reach improves patient quality and length of life by leveraging the speed, safety and cost-effectiveness of medical repurposing research, driving more treatments to more patients more quickly.

Cures is the philanthropic leader in drug, device and nutraceutical repurposing research, which has the potential to transform the lives of patients with unsolved diseases by delivering treatments that can be used in the near-term.



University Resources

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign’s Office Of Technology Management

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Office of Technology Management is responsible for managing the intellectual property generated by research and educational activities at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Springfield. The Office seeks to guide technologies through every appropriate stage of the commercialization process. 

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Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation

The Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation (VPEDI) works closely with the president of the U of I System to energize and lead initiatives in support of the university's economic development mission.  We ensure that innovations grow beyond the university and into the private sector through a pipeline of idea acceleration units and connected partnerships.  The VPEDI pipeline protects, funds, and supports ideas prior to their launch as viable businesses and, in doing so, drives economic development in Illinois, the nation, and the world.

iVENTURE Accelerator

Launched in Summer 2015, the Entrepreneurship at Illinois iVenture Accelerator allows U of I’s top student startup teams to spend the summer on campus with the time and support they need build prototypes, create a value proposition, test demand, research the competitive landscape, validate market size, progress in developing their startup ventures. Whether you are creating a technological innovation, social venture, or cultural campaign, this accelerator equips you with the time, space, resources, and mentorship necessary to turn your idea into a scalable venture.

Research Park At The University Of Illinois

The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides an environment where technology-based businesses can work with faculty and students to take advantage of opportunities for collaborative research and easy access to University labs, equipment and services.

UIUC TEC

Created in 2000 to highlight the University’s rich history and culture of innovation, TEC continues to inspire its students to become the next generation of world-changing visionaries, leaders and entrepreneurs.  This is accomplished through its courses, venture and product competitions, workshops and other curricular and extra-curricular events that expose students to the concepts of technology innovation and market adoption. TEC offers on campus and online courses and certificate programs and hosts outreach activities for students and alumni. TEC also administers the annual Cozad New Venture Competition and the Illinois Innovation Prize, among several other programs.

University of Illinois at Chicago’s Office of Technology Management

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Office of Technology Management is responsible for managing the intellectual property generated by research and educational activities at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Office seeks to guide technologies through every appropriate stage of the commercialization process.

Cozad New Venture Competition

The Cozad New Venture Competition (CNVC) is designed to encourage students to create new businesses. Teams are invited to create a venture around a topic of their choice. The competition process offers teams assistance in the form of: mentors to help guide them through the phases of venture creation, workshops to help with idea validation, pitching skills, customer development, and more as well as and courses to enhance their skills and knowledge.

As part of Cozad, Illinois Ventures funds The Magelli Innovation Prize, a $10,000 investment awarded to a Cozad New Venture Competition finalist that has demonstrated its potential to grow and create significant value as an entrepreneurial venture. As a driving force for entrepreneurship, throughout the University, Dr. Magelli had an immeasurable impact on launching startups and student careers for over 20 years.