InvestorEmpowering early-stage startups connected to the University of Illinois.
The startup scene in United States
Champaign’s startup ecosystem includes EnterpriseWorks, a University of Illinois Research Park incubator serving university and community entrepreneurs. EnterpriseWorks identifies agtech, biotechnology, software and materials science among its startup sectors, and describes connections among startups, corporate innovators, faculty and students. [101381, 101382, 101383]
About
Champaign’s startup ecosystem includes EnterpriseWorks, a University of Illinois Research Park incubator serving university and community entrepreneurs. EnterpriseWorks identifies agtech, biotechnology, software and materials science among its startup sectors, and describes connections among startups, corporate innovators, faculty and students. [101381, 101382, 101383]
Examples of commercialization connected with Champaign include EarthSense, whose recorded EnterpriseWorks tenure was 2016–2022 and whose current website lists Champaign among its locations; the company describes agricultural robotics and AI and identifies TerraMax, SmartSpread and SmartSpray in its product lineup. [101389, 101391, 101392, 101393] University of Illinois records PSYONIC as founded in 2014 and identifies its Ability Hand prosthesis; a historical profile lists a Champaign address, while its current official website lists an address in San Diego. [101394, 101395, 101396, 101398]
Agrible was described as based in Champaign in Nutrien’s July 15, 2018 announcement, which characterized its business as digital agriculture and announced a $63 million acquisition agreement; Startland News reported the sale on August 9, 2018. [101401, 101402, 101403, 101404] Parkland College described Cache Energy as founded in Champaign in August 2026 and its technology as converting electricity to thermal heat using limestone-based material. [101407, 101408] Cache announced cumulative seed financing of $8.5 million on June 14, 2024, and Canary Media reported an installation at the University of Minnesota Morris heating a carpentry workshop with stored wind energy in April 2026. [101409, 101413]
Local support pathways include Illinois FAST, which advertises statewide SBIR/STTR technical assistance through EnterpriseWorks, with limited hours subject to funding availability. [101433, 101434, 101435, 101438] Champaign Public Library describes Launch at the Library services including workshops, research tools, consultations and walk-in coworking. [101431, 101432, 101441] The published iVenture application deadline was March 7, 2026, and the next cohort was unverified as of October 4, 2026. [101430, 101439]
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Champaign ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #443 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
9 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Champaign
Investors 7
Investor
InvestorEmpowering students through venture capital education.
InvestorInvesting in innovative startups at the intersection of technology and research.
The 3 most prominent of 7. Browse all investors
Incubators 2
IncubatorEmpowering student entrepreneurs from zero to one.
IncubatorAccelerating crypto innovation.
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Your way in
Raising in Champaign
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Champaign
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Champaign
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Champaign
Serra Ventures offers a general inquiry route at its official contact page; this does not establish a currently open funding call.
Source: Contact — Serra Ventures, LLCChampaign Public Library's business-services page invites individual consultations for starting or growing a business.
Source: Business ServicesIllinois researchers can use OTM's official innovation-report page for disclosure and technology-manager follow-up.
Source: Report Your Innovation | Office of Technology Management | IllinoisiVenture's application page lists a past March 2026 deadline, so it does not verify an open October intake.
Source: Apply | iVenture | Gies College of Business | iVenture | Gies College of Business | IllinoisIllinois FAST's official page invites technical-assistance requests statewide, with funding-dependent availability.
Source: Illinois FAST Center | Research ParkStartup Champaign's Meetup page describes a community for exchanging startup ideas, pitches and feedback; current meeting dates remain unverified.
Source: Startup Champaign | Meetup
Questions about Champaign
How does Champaign rank as a startup ecosystem?
Its best position is #443 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025).
How many startup investors are based in Champaign?
7 investors based in Champaign have a profile here, including Illini Angels @ Illinois Ventures, Venture Capital Association and Fox Ventures. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Champaign?
Yes. Champaign has 2 incubators on record, including Zero2One VC.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Champaign
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