Illinois Ventures Launches Illini Angels Investment Network

WCIA interviewed Brandon Yates, CEO of EnterpriseWorks startup DeepWalk, said having such a focused source of early-stage capital available for entrepreneurs will be a game-changer. Watch his interview here. 

Read the full Illini Angels press release HERE. 

Illinois Ventures – the U of I System’s venture capital arm and a tenant at EnterpriseWorks – and a group of leading alumni from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced the formation of Illini Angels on Feb. 27.

It will support early-stage companies that have founders or leadership who are connected to the U of I System family – faculty, alumni, or students from any of the three universities, as well as companies that license university technology. That support will include seed funding, advice, and mentorship. The angel network plans to focus on innovative companies that leverage the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s expertise in fields like engineering, computer science, healthcare, ag tech, and energy.

“There’s been such pent-up demand for this idea. Illinois entrepreneurs, faculty, and staff are regularly approached by alumni who would like to invest in or engage with our university startups. They know that great opportunities are born there every day,” said Nancy Sullivan, CEO and managing director of Illinois Ventures.