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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Priority Registration Has Closed

    Thank you for your interest in Founders Week!

    We have reached capacity, but walk-ins are welcome to the extent that seating is available.

    View Event Booklet Here

    At Illinois, We Produce Founders

    At Illinois, We Produce Founders

    Founders Week celebrates our collective entrepreneurial successes and showcases the innovative ecosystem that fosters groundbreaking ventures. Together, we’re building a legacy of innovation and growth, empowering countless entrepreneurs while strengthening our shared commitment to shaping the future of Illini Entrepreneurship.

    True to our land grant mission this event is free of charge.  If you are able to support the cost of this program, we would be appreciative of your donation.

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    Founders Week 2025 Schedule

    Time
    Agenda
    Location
    By Invitation Only
    Research Park 25th Anniversary Celebration
    Research Park
    5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
    iVenture Demo Day
    EnterpriseWorks
    View Event Descriptions
    Time
    Agenda
    Location
    11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Illinois Capital Forum
    Business Instructional Facility
    2 to 4 p.m.
    Student Startup to Top-Tier VC Funded Company
    National Center for Supercomputing Applications
    2:45 to 4:20 p.m.
    Innovation Tours and Site Visits
    EnterpriseWorks
    5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
    TechRise Startup Pitch Competition
    EnterpriseWorks
    By Invitation Only
    EnterpriseWorks Homecoming Dinner
    Research Park
    View Event Descriptions
    Time
    Agenda
    Location
    By Invitation Only
    Illini Angels Meeting
    Illinois Conference Center
    11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Founders Showcase Session 1
    Illinois Conference Center
    4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
    Celebrating 25 Years of Illini Leadership in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Illinois Conference Center
    6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
    Founders Showcase Session 2
    Illinois Conference Center
    View Event Descriptions
    Time
    Agenda
    Location
    By Invitation Only
    Founders Week Football Tailgate
    Research Park
    TBD
    Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes
    Memorial Stadium
    View Event Descriptions
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    Our Sponsors

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    NEW!

    The Illinois Entrepreneurship
    Merch Store is here!

    Order by Oct. 1 for pickup during Founders Week.

    Order Here

    Book Your Stay

    Secure your hotel reservation soon! View the official hotel booking information sheet below for block rates and convenient locations near Founders Week events. This form will be updated as more information becomes available. 

    View Hotel Information Here

    Highlights from Founders Week 2024

    News Feature

    Learn More

    Media Gallery

    Learn More

    Booklet

    Learn More

    Video Recap

    Learn More

    Event Partners

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    Research Park 25th Anniversary Celebration

    Share memories and celebrate a legacy of innovation and impact. With immense gratitude, we will honor key figures from both the public and private sector whose extraordinary commitment to the Research Park made indelible marks on its success trajectory. Finally, we will provide a glimpse at what the future holds for UIRP. 

    iVenture Demo Day

    Meet the driven student entrepreneurs from the 11th cohort of the award‑winning iVenture Accelerator, a program of the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship. At this annual event, each startup will pitch their venture, answer questions from a panel of judges, and share their key asks with the audience.

    Illinois Capital Forum

    This forum will include discussions on capital formation, attraction, and allocation to fund startups as they grow, and the roles of stakeholders across the state in supporting and retaining these companies.

    Student Startup to Top-Tier VC Funded Company

    Hear directly from recently graduated founders discussing their experiences launching a company and quickly securing VC funding.

    Innovation Tours and Site Exhibits

    Participate in a selection of tours of the campus and Champaign–Urbana innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Campus locations will include the Beckman Institute, Siebel Center for Design, Institute for Genomic Biology, Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab, and EnterpriseWorks. 

    TechRise Startup Pitch Competition

    Support founders in traditionally overlooked industries and locations as they pitch for a $25K prize in our second annual live TechRise pitch competition. 

    EnterpriseWorks Homecoming Dinner

    Join us in welcoming back EnterpriseWorks startup graduates to share their progress and network with current startups and other stakeholders. 

    Illini Angels Meeting

    Join an in-person meeting of Illini Angels, a program of Illinois Ventures. Participants will hear updates from portfolio companies and pitches from companies seeking investment.

    Founders Showcase

    Discover the latest innovations emerging from our university’s research labs in biotech and health innovation, computing and AI, climate tech, and more. Hear from Illini founders, builders, funders, and ecosystem partners as we look to the future.

    Celebrating 25 Years of Illini Leadership in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

    Celebrate 25 years of the University of Illinois Research Park, Illinois Ventures, Office of Technology Management and Technology Entrepreneur Center as key resources in the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

    Illinois Football Tailgate at EnterpriseWorks

    Network with Illini founders, investors, ecosystem partners at a tailgate before the top 25 Illini take on defending national champion Ohio State. 

    Illinois vs. Ohio State Football

    Network with Illini founders, investors, ecosystem partners at Memorial Stadium. 

    NEW!

    The Illinois Entrepreneurship
    Merch Store is here!

    Order by Oct. 1 for pickup during Founders Week.

    Order Here