iVenture Accelerator spotlight by Chicago Inno

The iVenture startup accelerator was recently profiled by Chicago Inno. 13 of the University’s most promising student startups are participating in the 9-week program, which gives them access to mentors, workshops, office space and classes on entrepreneurial resources. 

Writes Chicago Inno: “Though the program is firmly rooted in Urbana-Champaign, there is a notable effort to get students connected to Chicago resources. The program is partnered with the Chicago Innovation Exchange and 1871, and there are several trips planned to the Chicago area throughout the program to meet with mentors, advisors, and other resources in the city. 

“For students who are used to making the trek between Chicago’s startup scene and the downstate research institution, the split feels natural. That’s the case for Thomas Reese, a recently graduated computer science grad student and founder of language web app Flipword. After being a part of the winning Campus 1871 team, he has space at 1871, but chose to stick around Urbana-Champaign to grow his business. ‘It made sense. I already had everything established there, I already had footing…I still have the connections [in Chicago] and can take advantage of the resources everywhere,’ he said.”