Forbes examines the “secret sauce” for EnterpriseWorks startup Hypercell Technologies‘ success – partnering with leading universities such as University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and its award-winning incubator.
The proximity to other startups in the EnterpriseWorks ecosystem fueled discovery and the building of community.
“Partnering with the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana has provided Hypercell with immense support, including access to low-cost lab supplies (due to the University buying power), access to shared lab equipment (avoiding major capital investments), access to a wide array of scientific experts (both University and other start-up company staff), and a very effective incubator program at EnterpriseWorks which included training programs, support for government grants and assistance with hiring,” shares Hypercell’s co-founder and CEO Bruno Jactel in Forbes.
EnterpriseWorks provided meaningful partnerships, state-of-the-art lab facilities, and mentor opportunities for Hypercell. Above all, the incubator offers camaraderie, allowing entrepreneurs to learn from each other’s successes and failures.
“We’ve been a great peer community of entrepreneurs and technology experts working together and sharing their experiences and expertise,” says Laura Appenzeller, executive director of the University of Illinois Research Park. “That type of innovation community fuels new discovery and better outcomes for translational science.”
Hypercell recently received the top prize of $1 million in funding and strategic mentorship at the 2023 Grow-NY Business Competition, a food and agriculture startup challenge.
