Illinois Ventures

Illinois Ventures is a university-based venture capital firm founded in 2000 and based in Champaign, Illinois. It is one of the largest and longest-running firms of its kind in the United States, focusing on supporting early-stage companies connected to the University of Illinois System. The organization has backed over 125 companies that have collectively raised more than $2.7 billion in outside capital. Illinois Ventures invests in early-stage companies, particularly in sectors such as deep tech, artificial intelligence, information technology, agriculture technology, health, life sciences, biotechnology, engineering, quantum computing, and clean technology. The firm provides funding through various funds, including the Deep Tech Fund and the Pre-Seed Fund, with initial investments typically ranging from $100,000 to $750,000, depending on the stage of the company.

Illinois Ventures provides not only capital but also expertise, connections, and resources to its portfolio companies, leveraging the University of Illinois System's extensive network to support growth and innovation.