🦊/Investors

Illinois Ventures

Venture capital

Champaign · Pre-Seed–Late Stage · 19 people tracked

Find your way into Illinois Ventures

1,478 people in our graph share verified history with the Illinois Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Wesley Chanunlockedknows Dr. Jeffrey Brown · together at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (overlapped)
×3knows the team · via Massachusetts Institute of Technology
×2knows the team · via AT&T Network Systems
knows the team · via Northwestern University
×4knows the team · via Middlebury College
knows the team · via TIAA
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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.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Late Stage
HQ
Champaign, Illinois, US
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2000
Last 12 months
3 investments
AUM
$25M
Tracked investments
59
Unicorns
2
IPOs
2
Acquisitions
3

Team · 19 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Dennis Hesch· Chairman, Executive VP, The Carle Systemin
Dr. Guy Padbury· SVP, Oncology Clinical Pharmacologyin
Dr. Jay Walsh· Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinoisin
Dr. Joanna Groden· Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Illinois Chicagoin
Michael T. Tokarz· Chairman & CEO, Tokarz Groupin
Nathan Hoffman· Director, Office of Technology Management, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaignin
Sarah Phalen· President and CEO, INBin

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Illinois Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 51 of 59 portfolio companies

Healthtech ×15Medical Devices ×15Biotech ×14AI & Machine Learning ×12Deep Tech ×11Hardware ×11SaaS ×6Consumer ×5

HQs:United States×42

Who they back

founder profiles across 35 portfolio companies
49%
solo founders
17 of 35 mapped founding teams
45%
repeat founders
of 33 founders with career history
~1 yr
old at investment
median across 8 dated deals

Founding team size:solo founder×172 founders×123 founders×54+ founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 30 founders with education data

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ×10Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×4Carnegie Mellon University ×2University of Illinois Chicago ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 34 founders with field-of-study data

Engineering ×21Computer Science ×6Finance & Accounting ×4Business & Management ×3Life Sciences ×2Medicine ×2Physics ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 33 founders with career history

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ×10Cast21 ×2Fitbit ×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Techstars ×3Y Combinator ×2

14 founders hold a PhD · 7 hold an MBA (of 35 with degree data)

Investments · 59 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 22025 · 12024 · 22023 · 22021 · 12020 · 12017 · 12016 · 12012 · 112 dated

Actuate Therapeuticsactuatetherapeutics.comin𝕏NASDAQ: ACTU

Actuate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing elraglusib, a small-molecule GSK-3β inhibitor designed to treat difficult-to-treat cancers including pancreatic, melanoma, lung, and pediatric cancers through intravenous injection and oral tablet formulations.

BiotechFort Worth, US

Daniel Schmitt(President & Chief Executive Officer)Paul Lytle(Executive Officer)inAndrew Mazar(Executive Officer)

BoardTodd Thomson(Director)inRoger Sawhney(Director)Jason Keyes(Director)

Co-investorsKairos Venture Investments, LlcBiosBios Partners

Amber Agricultureamber.agin

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)in

BoardCyril Ebersweiler(Incoming Series Seed Director.)in

Co-investorsGen CapitalHAX1517SOSV

Apriority Financialapriority.aiin

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 Biologicsaptimmune.com𝕏Jun 2017Acquired

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

Ascent Integrated Techascentitech.comin𝕏

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 Labsauvilabs.comin

Auvi Labs is a Chicago-based University of Illinois spinout building Beacon, a wearable ultrasound monitor for dialysis access.

Beyond Barriers Therapeuticsbeyondbarrierstherapeutics.com

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 Biologicsbrinkbiologics.comin

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 Innovationsbyld-innovations.com

BYLD Innovations develops portable and foldable 3D printers for engineers requiring on-demand and on-site printing capabilities.

Advanced ManufacturingHardware

Cadenza Biocadenza.bioinDec 2023 · $2.4M

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)in

Co-investorsCortado VenturesPlains VenturesSmartHealth Catalyzer

Campus Inkcampus.inkin𝕏

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

Cast21cast21.comin𝕏

Cast21 makes an FDA-listed, waterproof immobilization net that replaces plaster and fiberglass casts.

HealthtechMemphis, US

Ashley Moy(Executive Officer, Director)inJason Troutner(Executive Officer, Director)inJustin Brooks(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.

Climecastclimecast.com

ClimeCast applies AI to decarbonization of commercial real estate buildings.

Coologicscoologics.comSep 2026

Coologics develops a drug-free medical device designed to treat vaginal yeast and bacterial infections through controlled cooling technology.

FemTechMedical DevicesGrove City, US

Kimberly Langdon M.D.(Founder)inKimberly Langdon(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardGregory Hickman(Director)Dale C. Hunt(Director)Timothy Bledsoe(Director)

Co-investorsJumpStart Equity

CranioSensecraniosense.comin

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 Medicinescysteticmedicines.comNov 2020

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)inJONATHAN RAMOS(Director)

Co-investorsDeerfield Management Company

DeepWalkdeepwalk.comin

DeepWalk provides municipal infrastructure inspection software using iPhone LiDAR technology to automate sidewalk surveys and maintenance planning.

AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechData & InfrastructureGovTechPropTech

Brandon YatesAnshul Shah

Co-investorsEnable VenturesIrishAngels

EarthSenseearthsense.coin𝕏

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 Illuminationedenpark.cominFeb 2012

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)inRon van Os(Executive Officer)inJeffrey Bulson(Executive Officer)Cyrus Herring(Executive Officer)John Regan(Executive Officer, Director)in

Elion Therapeuticseliontx.cominJun 2024 · $81M

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 Sciencesexcelsiorsci.cominDec 2025 · $95M

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)inJana Jensen(COO)in

Co-investorsKhosla VenturesSofinnova PartnersCornucopian Capital ManagementDeerfield Management Company

FirstIgnitefirstignite.cominAcquired

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 Dynamicsint-dyn.com

Integrated Dynamics develops high-temperature fermentation technology to produce bio-based chemical intermediates for onshore manufacturing.

Advanced ManufacturingBiotechDeep Tech

Inventablesinventables.com𝕏

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)in

Co-investorsCorazon CapitalDundee Venture CapitalGen CapitalGreycroftTrue VenturesDraper Associates

KeywiseAIkeywise.techin

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

Madison Scientificmadsci.comin

Chicago-based medical device company developing the SmartShunt smart electromechanical shunt system for hydrocephalus.

HealthtechChicago, US

Tyler Wanke(Executive Officer, Director)inBermans Iskandar(Director)Joshua Medow(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardJoshua Carson(Director)inJohn Slump(Director)

Mesh++meshplusplus.comin𝕏Oct 2021 · $4.9M

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 CapitalAnorak VenturesGAN VenturesLateral CapitalSOSV+1 more

Natrionnatrion.coin

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)inAlex Kosyakov(Cofounder)

BoardManas Gosavi(Director)Terry Howerton(Director)in

Co-investorsCool Climate CollectiveIU VenturesLG Technology VenturesTamarack GlobalUnruly CapitalTechNexus Venture Collaborative

Network Perceptionnetwork-perception.cominAcquired

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)inWilliam Sanders(Director)

BoardJeff Bocan(Director)Steve Westly(Director)inRobert Schultz(Director)in

Co-investorsEarly Light VenturesEarth FoundryEnergy FoundryEnergy Impact PartnersOkapi Venture CapitalSerra Ventures+2 more

Ocientocient.comin𝕏

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

Pathlitpathlit.com

Pathlit is a no-code, browser-based platform for building, testing and deploying custom generative AI solutions.

Petrichorpetrichortech.comin𝕏

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

Co-investorsScion Life Sciences

Phi Opticsphioptics.comin𝕏

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)inGabriel Popescu(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in

BoardTimothy Hoerr(Director)inJed Taylor(Director)

Co-investorsSerra Ventures

Photon Queuephotonqueue.cominJul 2026 · $4M

Photon Queue develops quantum memory devices using linear optics technology for photon storage.

Deep TechQuantum ComputingSan Francisco, US

Kelsey Ortiz(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsCerberus Capital ManagementMFV PartnersPlayground Global

Photonicarephotoni.carein𝕏

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)inStephen Boppart(CMO)Cary Vance(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardPatrick Zeller(Director)Dale Grogan(Director)inDr. Zishan Haroon(Director)

Co-investorsFirst Leaf CapitalHealthtech CapitalMichigan Capital NetworkMichigan RiseOSF VenturesPlains Ventures+1 more

PSYONICpsyonic.ioin𝕏

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

Queuequeue.incin

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)inJosh Liu(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsAlleyCorpRiot VenturesInception Studio CapitalUbiquity VenturesCerberus Capital ManagementPlayground Global

Reconstructreconstructinc.comin

Reconstruct provides a reality-mapping platform that turns capture data from smartphones, 360 cameras, laser scanners, or drones into measurable 3D digital twins and 2D floor plans of buildings and structures.

AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechPropTechSaaSChampaign, US

Mani Golparvar Fard(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inZachary MacRunnels(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Derek Hoiem(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

BoardPaul D'Amato(Director)inRobert A. Schultz(Director)

Co-investorsCultivation CapitalSerra VenturesMichigan Capital NetworkNTT DOCOMO VenturesService Provider CapitalSerra Capital

Rectangle Labsrectanglehq.cominDec 2023

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)in

Co-investorsIron PrairieOperator Stack

Resolv Cryptoresolv.financein𝕏

Resolv provides fraud protection and asset recovery for cryptocurrency holders through recoverable wrapped tokens and community-driven verification.

Crypto & Web3Fintech

Ivan Kozlov(Founder)in

RetMapretmapinc.comin

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)inJohn Hetling(Chief Scientific Officer / Head of Product Development)in

Rithmiorithmio.comin

Chicago, US

Prashant G. Mehta(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inAdam K. Tilton(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in

Co-investorsFox VenturesHyde Park Venture PartnersSerra Ventures

Sakura MedTechsakuramedtech.comin

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 Aerospacesamaraaerospace.comin

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)inVedant(Founder)

Co-investorsBalerion Space VenturesTamiami AngelTechstarsTenon Ventures

Sempriussemprius.comin𝕏Defunct

Semprius was a Durham, NC developer of micro-transfer-printed high-concentration photovoltaic solar modules, spun out of the University of Illinois.

Durham, US

JOHN ROGERS(Executive Officer, Director)JOSEPH CARR(Executive Officer, Director)HELENA YEE(Executive Officer)JACK BARRY(Executive Officer)

BoardGREG WOLF(Director)CLINTON BYBEE(Director)in

Co-investorsApplied VenturesARCH Venture Partners

Senex Biotechnologysenexbio.comin

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)inDennis Goldberg(Chief Executive Officer)in

Serionixcolorfil.com𝕏Mar 2024

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)in

Co-investorsSerra Ventures

ShareThissharethis.com𝕏

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)inHuanjin 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 Visionsiloamvision.comin𝕏

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

Co-investorsIdeaship

Skyryseskyryse.comin𝕏

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)inWill Summerlin(Director)Ethan Batraski(Director)in

Co-investorsCantos VenturesCity LightDas & Co.Embedded VenturesFlucas VenturesFontinalis Partners+18 more

Thumbnail for Revolution Medicinesrevmed.comin

Revolution Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing medicines using its proprietary Tri-Complex Platform and RAS(ON) Biology research approach.

BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices

Co-investorsGen CapitalNextech InvestThe Column Group

Tiesta TEAtiestatea.comin𝕏

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)inAlex Sosnov(Executive Officer)in

BoardJoseph Nogal(Director)Brad LaConte(Director)Adam Harris(Director, Promoter)

Top Tier Lessonstoptierlessons.comin

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

Cara Bognar(Founder)in

Co-investorsMu VenturesM25

Vanquish Oncologyvanquishoncology.com

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)

VedaBiovedabio.comin

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)inMaurice Exner(Chief Operating Officer)in

Co-investorsOMX VenturesY Combinator

Worktrace Aiworktrace.aiin

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

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

Revivio TherapeuticsTandemnXaptum

Exits · 5

2 IPOs · 3 acquisitions · showing 1

Actuate TherapeuticsNASDAQ: ACTU

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Illinois Ventures made?
Illinois Ventures has 59 tracked investments, 5 of which have exited, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
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 96 tracked co-investors.
What size deals does Illinois Ventures back?
Across 5 deals with disclosed amounts, Illinois Ventures has joined rounds of $2.4M – $95M (median $4.9M).

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Nancy Sullivan, CEO and Senior Managing Director, Illinois VENTURES

InvestMidwest Venture Capital (Forum) · Nancy Sullivan

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