A comprehensive overview of iVenture.

More than just an Accelerator. iVenture encompasses curriculum, social innovation programs, Fellowships, collaborations with student entrepreneurship groups and more.

iVenture's ninth cohort discusses the summer program in a park.
iVenture's ninth cohort discusses the summer program in a park.

The iVenture Ecosystem

The iVenture Ecosystem

  • Accelerator

  • Accelerator

  • Accelerator

  • Curriculum

  • Curriculum

  • Curriculum

  • Fellowships

  • Fellowships

  • RSO collaboration

  • RSO collaboration

  • RSO collaboration

  • Social innovation

  • Social innovation

  • Social innovation

  • Chicago events

  • Chicago events

  • Chicago events

  • Women in Entrepreneurship

  • Women in Entrepreneurship

  • EntreCORPS

So how can you get involved?

iVenture Accelerator

iVenture Accelerator is the educational accelerator for top startups looking to scale and serves as the capstone experience of the iVenture Ecosystem. The Accelerator supports top ventures from the Illinois Innovation Network and University of Illinois System campuses. The intensive program accelerates growth with a 10-week full-time summer sprint, 11 months of continuous entrepreneurial education throughout the academic year, and access to our vast alumni and mentorship network. For change-makers looking to make a positive impact on the world, iVenture provides the necessary resources students need for their startups to succeed including non-dilutive funding of up to $20k (you own 100% of your company), free office space, food, access to makerspaces, compensated travel to Chicago, and more.

iVenture Accelerator

iVenture Accelerator is the educational accelerator for top startups looking to scale and serves as the capstone experience of the iVenture Ecosystem. The Accelerator supports top ventures from the Illinois Innovation Network and University of Illinois System campuses. The intensive program accelerates growth with a 10-week full-time summer sprint, 11 months of continuous entrepreneurial education throughout the academic year, and access to our vast alumni and mentorship network. For change-makers looking to make a positive impact on the world, iVenture provides the necessary resources students need for their startups to succeed including non-dilutive funding of up to $20k (you own 100% of your company), free office space, food, access to makerspaces, compensated travel to Chicago, and more.

iVenture Accelerator

iVenture Accelerator is the educational accelerator for top startups looking to scale and serves as the capstone experience of the iVenture Ecosystem. The Accelerator supports top ventures from the Illinois Innovation Network and University of Illinois System campuses. The intensive program accelerates growth with a 10-week full-time summer sprint, 11 months of continuous entrepreneurial education throughout the academic year, and access to our vast alumni and mentorship network. For change-makers looking to make a positive impact on the world, iVenture provides the necessary resources students need for their startups to succeed including non-dilutive funding of up to $20k (you own 100% of your company), free office space, food, access to makerspaces, compensated travel to Chicago, and more.

A headshot of one of the first student leaders of the Women in Entrepreneurship program.

Social Innovation: Women in Entrepreneurship

WiE is creating a thriving community of women in entrepreneurship by providing them with a safe and inclusive space to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Through engaging events, insightful speakers, and a network, WiE is inspiring, educating, and equipping women at UIUC to excel in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

A headshot of one of the first student leaders of the Women in Entrepreneurship program.

Social Innovation: Women in Entrepreneurship

WiE is creating a thriving community of women in entrepreneurship by providing them with a safe and inclusive space to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Through engaging events, insightful speakers, and a network, WiE is inspiring, educating, and equipping women at UIUC to excel in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

A headshot of one of the first student leaders of the Women in Entrepreneurship program.

Social Innovation: Women in Entrepreneurship

WiE is creating a thriving community of women in entrepreneurship by providing them with a safe and inclusive space to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Through engaging events, insightful speakers, and a network, WiE is inspiring, educating, and equipping women at UIUC to excel in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

A group of entrepreneurs speaking outside.

Program Fellowship

Program Fellows support the operations of the iVenture ecosystem. We hire leaders in events, operations, marketing, content, design, and more.

A group of entrepreneurs speaking outside.

Program Fellowship

Program Fellows support the operations of the iVenture ecosystem. We hire leaders in events, operations, marketing, content, design, and more.

A group of entrepreneurs speaking outside.

Program Fellowship

Program Fellows support the operations of the iVenture ecosystem. We hire leaders in events, operations, marketing, content, design, and more.

The iVenture nine cohort potting plants for a culture building activity.

Alum Fellowship

iVenture alums still enrolled in school receive stipends and resourcing to continue work on their venture during the following summer.

The iVenture nine cohort potting plants for a culture building activity.

Alum Fellowship

iVenture alums still enrolled in school receive stipends and resourcing to continue work on their venture during the following summer.

The iVenture nine cohort potting plants for a culture building activity.

Alum Fellowship

iVenture alums still enrolled in school receive stipends and resourcing to continue work on their venture during the following summer.

A headshot of an iVenture Fellow

Rotational Shadow Program

For high schoolers who want to shadow our Program Fellow team.

A headshot of an iVenture Fellow

Rotational Shadow Program

For high schoolers who want to shadow our Program Fellow team.

A headshot of an iVenture Fellow

Rotational Shadow Program

For high schoolers who want to shadow our Program Fellow team.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

Student Entrepreneurship Roundtable

We work closely with student entrepreneurship groups such as Founders, EntreCORPS, and Zero2One.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

Student Entrepreneurship Roundtable

We work closely with student entrepreneurship groups such as Founders, EntreCORPS, and Zero2One.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

Student Entrepreneurship Roundtable

We work closely with student entrepreneurship groups such as Founders, EntreCORPS, and Zero2One.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

EntreCORPS

EntreCORPS is our pro-bono consulting film which provides startups with innovative, strategic, research-backed business decisions. Student consultants create high-impact and entrepreneurial solutions for clients ranging from early-stage ventures to innovation-driving groups. Through project work, student consultants have the opportunity to gain professional experience, manage teams, and explore new networks.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

EntreCORPS

EntreCORPS is our pro-bono consulting film which provides startups with innovative, strategic, research-backed business decisions. Student consultants create high-impact and entrepreneurial solutions for clients ranging from early-stage ventures to innovation-driving groups. Through project work, student consultants have the opportunity to gain professional experience, manage teams, and explore new networks.

A director and a student talking during a social event.

EntreCORPS

EntreCORPS is our pro-bono consulting film which provides startups with innovative, strategic, research-backed business decisions. Student consultants create high-impact and entrepreneurial solutions for clients ranging from early-stage ventures to innovation-driving groups. Through project work, student consultants have the opportunity to gain professional experience, manage teams, and explore new networks.

Students and the director speaking at a social event.

Seminar: BADM 463 + 464

These seminars are for students actively engaged in building their startups. This highly collaborative course provides entrepreneurial theory, context, and skills to facilitate venture-building and experiential learning-by-venturing.

Students and the director speaking at a social event.

Seminar: BADM 463 + 464

These seminars are for students actively engaged in building their startups. This highly collaborative course provides entrepreneurial theory, context, and skills to facilitate venture-building and experiential learning-by-venturing.

Students and the director speaking at a social event.

Seminar: BADM 463 + 464

These seminars are for students actively engaged in building their startups. This highly collaborative course provides entrepreneurial theory, context, and skills to facilitate venture-building and experiential learning-by-venturing.

Flagship events

Flagship events

  • iVenture Orientation

    Tue / May 21st, 2024

  • Deans' Visit

    Mon / June 17th, 2024

  • Chicago Showcase Week

    July 8th - July 12th, 2024

  • Campus Demo Day

    Wed / September 18th, 2024

  • Online Demo Day

    Wed / November 13th, 2024

  • Chicago Demo Day

    Thu / May 16th, 2024

  • Other Events

    54, Forge, Accelerators Collide, hackathons, and more.

  • iVenture Orientation

    Tue / May 21st, 2024

  • Deans' Visit

    Mon / June 17th, 2024

  • Chicago Showcase Week

    July 8th - July 12th, 2024

  • Campus Demo Day

    Wed / September 18th, 2024

  • Online Demo Day

    Wed / November 13th, 2024

  • Chicago Demo Day

    Thu / May 16th, 2024

  • Other Events

    54, Forge, Accelerators Collide, hackathons, and more.

A iVenture mentor speaking during a workshop.

iVenture Coach

Help a team of your choice set milestones and focus on critical business issues they face. You play a key role in helping the team set and achieve strategic goals. You will 1) Have 1 virtual or in-person meeting per month 2) Receive periodic updates from teams, and 3)bring area or process expertise (a great fit for senior leaders).

A iVenture mentor speaking during a workshop.

iVenture Coach

Help a team of your choice set milestones and focus on critical business issues they face. You play a key role in helping the team set and achieve strategic goals. You will 1) Have 1 virtual or in-person meeting per month 2) Receive periodic updates from teams, and 3)bring area or process expertise (a great fit for senior leaders).

A iVenture mentor speaking during a workshop.

iVenture Coach

Help a team of your choice set milestones and focus on critical business issues they face. You play a key role in helping the team set and achieve strategic goals. You will 1) Have 1 virtual or in-person meeting per month 2) Receive periodic updates from teams, and 3)bring area or process expertise (a great fit for senior leaders).

A fireside chat with a professor and entrepreneur.

Connector / Advisor

Link one or more teams to people in your network who might become partners, customers, suppliers, advisors, funders, or can provide other expertise or resources. A quick, high-yield way to help student startups.

A fireside chat with a professor and entrepreneur.

Connector / Advisor

Link one or more teams to people in your network who might become partners, customers, suppliers, advisors, funders, or can provide other expertise or resources. A quick, high-yield way to help student startups.

A fireside chat with a professor and entrepreneur.

Connector / Advisor

Link one or more teams to people in your network who might become partners, customers, suppliers, advisors, funders, or can provide other expertise or resources. A quick, high-yield way to help student startups.

Career Center staff in a meeting.

Office Hours

Meet with several teams individually over the course of a few hours. A great fit for serial entrepreneurs or those with skills that can help a broad range of ventures in different industries.

Career Center staff in a meeting.

Office Hours

Meet with several teams individually over the course of a few hours. A great fit for serial entrepreneurs or those with skills that can help a broad range of ventures in different industries.

Career Center staff in a meeting.

Office Hours

Meet with several teams individually over the course of a few hours. A great fit for serial entrepreneurs or those with skills that can help a broad range of ventures in different industries.

A student pitching his startup to a big audience.

Teach Workshops

Teach a workshop on branding, strategy, market research, legal + IP, and any other topic relevant to early-stage entrepreneurship. Can be one lunchtime session to multiple sessions over a few days. Great fit for subject matter experts and faculty.

A student pitching his startup to a big audience.

Teach Workshops

Teach a workshop on branding, strategy, market research, legal + IP, and any other topic relevant to early-stage entrepreneurship. Can be one lunchtime session to multiple sessions over a few days. Great fit for subject matter experts and faculty.

A student pitching his startup to a big audience.

Teach Workshops

Teach a workshop on branding, strategy, market research, legal + IP, and any other topic relevant to early-stage entrepreneurship. Can be one lunchtime session to multiple sessions over a few days. Great fit for subject matter experts and faculty.

A large semicircular room for a pitching competition.

Speaker Series

Come to join us on-campus to deliver a focused talk on your entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and perspectives gained. Great for executives and startup veterans.

A large semicircular room for a pitching competition.

Speaker Series

Come to join us on-campus to deliver a focused talk on your entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and perspectives gained. Great for executives and startup veterans.

A large semicircular room for a pitching competition.

Speaker Series

Come to join us on-campus to deliver a focused talk on your entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and perspectives gained. Great for executives and startup veterans.

A little more about us

Ventures

155

Distinct plans of study

109

Students

379

Expert mentors and advisors

1881

Full time internships and jobs created

Internships and jobs created

923

Money raised

$161,000,000+

Total enterprise value

$1,000,000,000+

iVenture Accelerator

The educational accelerator for startups ready to scale within the U of I system.

Find us at /

iventure@illinois.edu

iVenture Accelerator

The educational accelerator for startups ready to scale within the U of I system.

Find us

iventure@illinois.edu

iVenture Accelerator

The educational accelerator for startups ready to scale within the U of I system.

Find us at /

iventure@illinois.edu

A quick guide to the iVenture Ecosystem

More than just an Accelerator. iVenture encompasses curriculum, social innovation programs, Fellowships, collaborations with student entrepreneurship groups and more.