Illinois Ventures
Venture capitalChampaign · Pre-Seed–Late Stage · 19 people tracked
Investment thesis
Illinois Ventures backs early-stage companies across a broad range of founders, from deep tech teams building solutions in a lab, to student coders, to seasoned entrepreneurs. The firm positions itself as a hands-on partner with a veteran team that helps portfolio companies advance from a pioneering venture to a successful exit. Its stated mission is to make the world a better and more connected place.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 19 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 51 of 56 portfolio companiesHealthtech ×15Biotech ×14Medical Devices ×14AI & Machine Learning ×11Deep Tech ×11Hardware ×11SaaS ×6Consumer ×5
HQs:United States×38
Who they back
founder profiles across 32 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×132 founders×113 founders×74+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with education data
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ×5Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 12 founders with career history
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ×4
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 56 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2024 · 22023 · 22020 · 12017 · 12012 · 17 dated
Clinical-stage therapeutics company focusing on high-impact cancers and inflammatory diseases.
BiotechFort Worth, US
Daniel Schmitt(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Lytle(Executive Officer)inAndrew Mazar(Executive Officer)
BoardTodd Thomson(Director)inRoger Sawhney(Director)Jason Keyes(Director)
Co-investorsKairos Venture Investments, LlcBiosBios Partners
Amber produces wireless, solar-powered automation kits for grain bin monitoring and fan control that replace traditional cable systems.
AgTechHardwareIoTChicago, US
Lucas Frye(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inJoseph Varikooty(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardCyril Ebersweiler(Incoming Series Seed Director.)in
Co-investorsGen CapitalHAX1517SOSV
Apriority is a membership-based consumer platform that monitors users' existing loans, finds lower rates and refinancing savings, and passes lender referral commissions back to the borrower rather than middleman platforms.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerFintechRedwood City, US
Bret Rietow(Founder)in
Co-investorsSamvid VenturesTechstars
Aptimmune develops vaccines for swine health, partnering with vaccine development and swine health consulting companies to speed product development, testing and manufacturing.
AgTechBiotechHealthtechChampaign, US
Aaron Gilbertie(CEO)Federico Zuckermann(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardRobert Easter(Director)Paul Olivo(Director)Gary Durack(Director)
Co-investorsMissouri Technology CorporationArsenalCultivation CapitalThe Yield LabThe Yield Lab Asia Pacific
Ascenti Tech builds WearTAK, a wrist-worn Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) end-user device that passively monitors operator vitals, drops MIL-STD-2525D map points, sends alerts, and provides microphone-based gunshot and UAS detection over existing TAK infrastructure.
Defense TechHardwareIoT
Paul Couston(Founder)in
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Elevate VenturesSandalphon CapitalTribes VenturesFox Ventures
Auvi Labs is a Chicago-based University of Illinois spinout building Beacon, a wearable ultrasound monitor for dialysis access.
Beyond Barriers Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing BBT-101, an intranasal therapeutic to reduce secondary effects from mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.
BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthMedical DevicesMiami, US
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Partners Resolute
Brink Biologics provides NK-92 cell lines and assay panels for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) testing in therapeutic antibody development.
BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesSan Diego, US
BYLD Innovations develops portable and foldable 3D printers for engineers requiring on-demand and on-site printing capabilities.
Advanced ManufacturingHardware
Cadenza Bio develops small-molecule drugs for oral administration to treat demyelinating and inflammatory diseases.
BiotechFemTechMedical DevicesYukon, US
Carol Curtis, PhD(Chief Executive Officer, Founder)Elaine Hamm, PhD(Chief Operating Officer, Founder)John Katzenellenbogen, PhD(Scientific Founder)Seema Tiwari-Woodruff, PhD(Scientific Founder)Elaine Hamm(Executive Officer, Director)Carol Curtis(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCortado VenturesPlains VenturesSmartHealth Catalyzer
Campus is a licensed merchandise platform for college athletes and Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities), enabling athletes to earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and custom merch sales.
E-commerceEdTechSports Tech
Co-investorsCapital InnovatorsConnetic VenturesHigh Street Equity PartnersLightbankRiverPark VenturesScrum Ventures+1 more
Cast21 makes an FDA-listed, waterproof immobilization net that replaces plaster and fiberglass casts.
HealthtechMemphis, US
Ashley Moy(Executive Officer, Director)Jason Troutner(Executive Officer, Director)Justin Brooks(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.
ClimeCast applies AI to decarbonization of commercial real estate buildings.
Coologics develops a drug-free medical device designed to treat vaginal yeast and bacterial infections through controlled cooling technology.
FemTechMedical Devices
Co-investorsJumpStart Equity
CranioSense develops IPASS, a non-invasive medical device that measures intracranial pressure using a forehead patch and handheld device, eliminating the need for invasive skull drilling in traumatic brain injury assessment.
HealthtechMedical DevicesBedford, US
Gordon Hirschman(COB & CO-FOUNDER)inRyan Myers(CEO & CO-FOUNDER)inKristian DiMatteo(COO & CO-FOUNDER)in
Co-investorsTechstars
cystetic Medicines is a drug development company creating an inhaled dry-powder therapy based on an FDA-approved antifungal compound to treat cystic fibrosis, targeting the roughly 10% of patients not helped by existing modulators.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesChampaign, US
MARTIN BURKE, MD., PH.D.(Director)Dr. Martin D. Burke(Co-founder)Dr. Michael J. Welsh(Co-founder)Dr. Jeffry Weers(Chief Technology Officer)PETER W STEELMAN(Director)JONATHAN RAMOS(Director)
DeepWalk uses iPhone LiDAR scanners to capture 3D models of sidewalks and curb ramps, then applies an automated measurement system to identify condition and accessibility issues.
AI & Machine LearningGovTechPropTech
Co-investorsEnable VenturesIrishAngels
EarthSense develops AI and robotics solutions for agriculture to address sustainability and productivity challenges.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningRobotics
Chinmay Soman(Founder)in
Co-investorsADB VenturesAg Ventures AllianceAgLaunch AcceleratorAurum Venture PartnersBread And Butter Ventures, LlcGen Capital+2 more
Eden Park manufactures wafer-thin Far-UVC 222nm technology panels that continuously disinfect air and surfaces to reduce viruses and bacteria in populated spaces.
CleantechHardwareHealthtechChampaign, US
James Garry Eden(Director)Sung-Jin Park(Executive Officer)Ron van Os(Executive Officer)Jeffrey Bulson(Executive Officer)Cyrus Herring(Executive Officer)John Regan(Executive Officer, Director)in
Clinical-stage biotech developing next-generation polyene antifungals for life-threatening invasive fungal infections.
BiotechNew York, US
Kieren Marr(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJim Flynn(Director)Martin Heidecker(Director)inJonathan Leff(Director)
Co-investorsAMR Action FundDeerfield Management Company
Excelsior Sciences develops automated chemistry technology for small-molecule discovery and manufacturing, targeting pharmaceutical and materials development.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech
Marty BurkeBartosz GrzybowskiMichael Foley(CEO)Jana Jensen(COO)in
Co-investorsKhosla VenturesSofinnova PartnersCornucopian Capital Management
FirstIgnite provides AI software that helps universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and foundations identify, engage, and manage partnership opportunities in research funding, philanthropy, and technology licensing.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Chase Bonhag(Founder)inCody Pawlowski(Founder)in
Co-investorsConnetic VenturesFrontier VenturesID VenturesMichigan RiseY CombinatorGaingels
Integrated Dynamics develops high-temperature fermentation technology to produce bio-based chemical intermediates for onshore manufacturing.
Advanced ManufacturingBiotechDeep Tech
Inventables manufactures and sells desktop CNC machines, parts, and accessories for makers, creative professionals, and small manufacturers.
Advanced ManufacturingCreator EconomyHardwareChicago, US
BoardZach Kaplan(Executive Officer, Director)inPhil Black(Director)inSue Khim(Director)
Co-investorsCorazon CapitalDundee Venture CapitalGen CapitalGreycroftTrue VenturesDraper Associates
KeyWise AI develops Skye, an iPhone keyboard app that analyzes typing patterns using AI to generate a Clarity Score measuring cognitive function aspects like attention and processing speed.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerDigital HealthHealthtechMental Health
Co-investors3CC | Third Culture CapitalJoyance PartnersMerus CapitalTribes Ventures
Chicago-based medical device company developing the SmartShunt smart electromechanical shunt system for hydrocephalus.
HealthtechChicago, US
Tyler Wanke(Executive Officer, Director)Bermans Iskandar(Director)Joshua Medow(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJoshua Carson(Director)John Slump(Director)
Mesh++ manufactures wireless mesh networking hardware with low-loss routing protocols for fast, automatic connections across difficult-to-serve areas.
HardwareIoTChicago, US
Danny Gardner(Founder)in
Co-investorsCapria VenturesFirst Leaf Capital
Natrion develops solid-state battery materials, including a US-made ceramic-polymer "active separator" for lithium-ion and Li-metal cells.
EnergyAlbany, US
Thomas Rouffiac(Cofounder)Alex Kosyakov(Cofounder)
BoardManas Gosavi(Director)Terry Howerton(Director)in
Co-investorsCool Climate CollectiveIU VenturesLG Technology VenturesTamarack GlobalUnruly CapitalTechNexus Venture Collaborative
Network Perception offers NP-View, software that generates and maintains network maps to help organizations assess risk, verify network segmentation, and evaluate the security posture of their environments.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSChicago, US
Robin Berthier(Chief Executive Officer, President, & Director)Ted Greene(Chief Operating Officer)William Sanders(Director)
BoardJeff Bocan(Director)Steve Westly(Director)inRobert Schultz(Director)in
Co-investorsEarly Light VenturesEarth FoundryEnergy FoundryEnergy Impact PartnersOkapi Venture CapitalSerra Ventures+1 more
Ocient builds petabyte-scale agentic AI solutions through its OcientAIQ platform for enterprises managing massive datasets.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareChicago, US
S. Christopher Gladwin(Executive Officer, Director)Chris Gladwin(Founder)inJoe Jablonski(Founder)inKumar Abhijeet(Executive Officer)inWilliam McCarthy(Executive Officer)John Morrisin
Co-investorsBlue Bear Capital PartnersBuoyant Ventures Management, LlcGreycroftIn-Q-TelGreycroft PartnersHyde Park Angels+1 more
Petrichor provides software infrastructure for agricultural supply chains, helping merchants, traders, and processors manage supply chain decisions, financial performance, and sustainability goals.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSChicago, US
Phi Optics develops quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technology that upgrades existing microscopes to enable non-invasive, real-time 3D imaging of live cells, tissues, organoids, and small organisms without labels or specimen damage.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechMedical DevicesChampaign, US
Catalin Chiritescu(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Gabriel Popescu(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardTimothy Hoerr(Director)inJed Taylor(Director)
Co-investorsSerra Ventures
Photon Queue develops quantum memory devices using linear optics technology for photon storage.
Deep TechQuantum ComputingSan Francisco, US
Kelsey Ortiz(Co-founder)
PhotoniCare develops OtoSight, an FDA-cleared optical coherence tomography device for non-invasive assessment and monitoring of middle ear infections in healthcare facilities.
Deep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesDurham, US
Ryan Shelton(CEO)Stephen Boppart(CMO)Cary Vance(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPatrick Zeller(Director)Dale Grogan(Director)inDr. Zishan Haroon(Director)
Co-investorsFirst Leaf CapitalHealthtech CapitalMichigan Capital NetworkMichigan RiseOSF VenturesPlains Ventures+1 more
PSYONIC develops the Ability Hand, a touch-sensing bionic hand with sensory feedback and motor control for prosthetic users and robotics applications.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsChampaign, US
Patrick Slade(Cofounder)Dr. Aadeel Akhtar(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsIrishAngelsK Street CapitalDaymond John
Queue builds an autonomous robotic pharmacy kiosk that takes in sealed wholesale drug bottles and dispenses filled, verified prescription vials on-site, using computer vision to identify each pill to its National Drug Code and QR codes to verify scripts.
HardwareHealthtechRoboticsPalo Alto, US
Nick Desai(Co-founder)Josh Liu(Co-founder)
Co-investorsAlleyCorpRiot VenturesInception Studio CapitalCerberus Capital ManagementPlayground Global
Reconstruct provides reality-mapping software for construction and facilities teams, turning site footage from smartphones, 360 cameras, and drones into measurable 2D floor plans, 3D models, and 4D BIM visualizations.
Construction TechPropTechSaaSChampaign, US
Mani Golparvar Fard(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Zachary MacRunnels(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Derek Hoiem(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardPaul D'Amato(Director)Robert A. Schultz(Director)
Co-investorsMichigan Capital NetworkNTT DOCOMO VenturesCultivation CapitalSerra CapitalSerra Ventures
Rectangle provides a single API that unifies shipment data — including tracking, shipment, and customs data — across a company's transportation network.
Data & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSChicago, US
Matthew Salafski(Executive Officer, Director)Matt Salefski(Co-founder & CEO)inMarvin Kennis(Founder)
Co-investorsIron PrairieOperator Stack
Resolv provides fraud protection and asset recovery for cryptocurrency holders through recoverable wrapped tokens and community-driven verification.
Crypto & Web3Fintech
RetMap develops next-generation electroretinography sensors and diagnostic medical devices for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodegenerative eye conditions.
BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthHardwareHealthtechMedical Devices
Tamas Ban(Co-founder)John Hetling(Chief Scientific Officer / Head of Product Development)
Sakura MedTech develops a tampon-shaped imaging device as a comfortable alternative to the speculum for cervical cancer screening and gynecological exams.
Digital HealthFemTechMedical DevicesChicago, US
Samara Aerospace designs and builds high-performance satellite platforms featuring the Hummingbird satellite bus, which combines pointing stability, agility, and power generation in a compact form for commercial, civil, and national security missions.
Deep TechHardwareSpace TechSuperior, US
Patrick Haddox(Founder)Vedant(Founder)
Co-investorsBalerion Space VenturesTamiami AngelTechstarsTenon Ventures
Senex Biotechnology develops cancer and chronic disease therapies by targeting aging-related biological pathways identified through functional genomics.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesColumbia, US
Igor B Roninson(Founder, President, Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board)Dennis Goldberg(Chief Executive Officer)
Colorfil makes air filters with a patented color-shift technology that captures and neutralizes odors, dander, dust, and amine-based compounds, changing color to indicate when the filter is working.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerHardwareUrbana, US
James Langer(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsSerra Ventures
ShareThis collects and analyzes consumer behavioral data from over three million global websites to provide insights, targeting, activation, and data enrichment services.
AdTechData & InfrastructureMarketing TechSaaSPalo Alto, US
Dana C. Hayes, Jr.(Chief Executive Officer)Myha Trieu(Chief People Officer)Chad Burns(Chief Financial Officer)Huanjin Chen(Chief Technology Officer)Michael Gorman(Chief Product Officer)Paul Lentz(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsMercury FundMultiplier CapitalRunway Growth CapitalRefinery VentureThreshold VenturesTunitas Ventures+1 more
Siloam Vision develops medical imaging and software solutions for eye care, with initial focus on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical DevicesPortland, US
Dr. Pete Campbell(Founder)Dr. Paul Chan(Founder)John Peter Campbell(Executive Officer, Director)Tong Sun(Executive Officer)Robison Vernon Paul Chan(Executive Officer)Karyn Jonas(Executive Officer)in
Skyryse develops SkyOS, a flight-control operating system that simplifies aircraft operation through automated maneuvers, emergency management, and optionally piloted or autonomous flight.
Deep TechDefense TechMobility & TransportationEl Segundo, US
Mark Groden(Founder & CEO)inStephen Koo(Executive Officer, Director)inBlake Bilstad(Executive Officer)in
BoardLior Susan(Director)Will Summerlin(Director)Ethan Batraski(Director)
Co-investorsCantos VenturesCity LightDas & Co.Embedded VenturesFlucas VenturesFontinalis Partners+18 more
Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage oncology company developing targeted cancer therapies based on its tri-complex platform and RAS(ON) inhibitor biology.
BiotechHealthtech
Co-investorsGen CapitalNextech InvestThe Column Group
Ties Tea sells loose leaf tea beverages made with premium ingredients, organized into five functional categories based on each tea's natural health benefits (energy, weight management, antioxidants, immunity, and relaxation).
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerWellness & FitnessChicago, US
Daniel Klein(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Patrick Tannous(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Alex Sosnov(Executive Officer)
BoardJoseph Nogal(Director)Brad LaConte(Director)Adam Harris(Director, Promoter)
Top Tier Lessons connects college athletes with families to provide sports instruction, handling scheduling, payments, and safety for both coaches and parents.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerMarketplacesSports TechChicago, US
Co-investorsMu VenturesM25
Drug development company creating small-molecule procaspase-3 activators as targeted oncology therapeutics.
BiotechChampaign, US
Paul Hergenrother(Executive Officer, Director)Ted Tarasow(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardRon Way(Director)Billie Jo Herberger(Director)Judd Heberger(Director)
VedaBio develops a molecular detection platform using CRISPR technology that enables rapid, accurate detection of multiple biological targets without the need for amplification.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesSan Diego, US
Anurup Ganguli(Founder)inFred(President and CEO)Frédéric Sweeney(President and Chief Executive Officer)Maurice Exner(Chief Operating Officer)
Co-investorsOMX VenturesY Combinator
Worktrace enables teams to build and deploy AI agents with zero setup required.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US
Deepak Vasisht(Founder)inAngela Jiang(Founder)in
Co-investors8VCOpenAI Startup FundZero Shot
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioActuate TherapeuticsNASDAQ: ACTU
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesQueue · finsmes.com · Aug 18, 2026
Actuate Therapeutics · stocktitan.net · Aug 14, 2026
Skyryse · techcrunch.com · Jul 5, 2026
CranioSense · startupbos.org · Jun 29, 2026
Worktrace Ai · globalventuring.com · Jun 22, 2026
FirstIgnite · msufoundation.org · Mar 26, 2026
Samara Aerospace · kitalent.com · Mar 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Illinois Ventures made?
- Illinois Ventures has 55 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
- What stage does Illinois Ventures invest at?
- Illinois Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Late Stage stages.
- What sectors does Illinois Ventures focus on?
- Illinois Ventures focuses on Biotech, Consumer, Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Energy, Enterprise Software, Hardware, Medical Devices, New Materials, SaaS, Semiconductors.
- Where is Illinois Ventures located?
- Illinois Ventures is headquartered in Champaign, US.
- Who does Illinois Ventures co-invest with?
- Illinois Ventures most often shares deals with Gen Capital, Techstars, Greycroft, among 95 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamNancy Sullivan, CEO and Senior Managing Director, Illinois VENTURES
InvestMidwest Venture Capital (Forum) · Nancy Sullivan
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