EnterpriseWorks is a technology business incubator that supports University of Illinois and community entrepreneurs in all stages of their startup journey.
Its clients build and create disruptive technologies across a wide range of areas, reflecting the depth and breadth of the university expertise in agtech, biotechnology, chemical sciences, software development, materials sciences and more.
EnterpriseWorks startups are working to address challenges with results that are transformative. More often than not, they are bringing leading University of Illinois research to the marketplace.
EnterpriseWorks remains the heart of the Research Park’s community building efforts, and ensures the intersection of the Research Park’s startup and corporate innovation community with faculty, students, and staff at the University. Its atrium is a hub of activity, housing meetups and workshops.
Join Us
As we say at EnterpriseWorks: we don’t check your LinkedIn at the door.
You don’t have to have a formed a company or even have an idea for a startup to participate.
All are welcome to attend events and request resources such as meetings with our Entrepreneurs in Residence, Designer-in-Residence, SBIR Technical Assistance, and more.
Some programs may have minimum requirements to gain access, but don’t worry, we’ll let you know when that’s the case.
What EnterpriseWorks Offers: Labs, Offices, and Much More
There are 23 wet labs at EnterpriseWorks, each with different configurations that are designed to suit a variety of sectors and use cases. Offices at EnterpriseWorks range in size, accommodating anywhere from one to eight people. It has a shared equipment lab, a maker lab, coworking space, kitchen and conference rooms. (Download an overview here.)
But EnterpriseWorks is much more than a building. Benefits include access to:
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- University of Illinois lab equipment and facilities
- Lab supplies at reduced educational rates
- Our student shared services team, who help our companies develop their visual brands.
- A community of entrepreneurs who are sharing the same experiences – a peer network beyond compare.
Becoming a Tenant at EnterpriseWorks: How to Apply
To become a tenant or affiliate at EnterpriseWorks, a company must apply. See the application process below.
All leases in EnterpriseWorks last one year; renewal is based on company progress and the continued need of incubation services. The typical incubation period is three to five years.
EnterpriseWorks: Leasing Labs and Offices
Tenants at EnterpriseWorks have full access to its suite of services for entrepreneurs and benefit from the peer community that envelops it.
Acceptance as a tenant is contingent upon meeting the following criteria:
- The applicant must be an incorporated, for-profit company with a valid tax ID.
- The applicant must be an early-stage, technology-based company with significant market potential.
- The applicant must have (or wish to have) an active relationship, in some form, with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- The principals involved should be well-qualified in their field of technology and have (or plan to have) experienced management as part of the team.
- The company must be financially solvent with a plan to raise sufficient capital to achieve its business plan.
EnterpriseWorks Tenant Application
Have questions? Contact Laura Appenzeller, Executive Director of the Research Park, at lfrerich@illinois.edu.
EnterpriseWorks Affiliate Program
The EnterpriseWorks Affiliate Program is a pre-incubation program for early-stage startup companies. This program is designed to help inventors and entrepreneurs to access EnterpriseWorks' services and become tenants of the Research Park through an affordable program.
To be considered for the affiliate program, the applicant:
- Must be a for-profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be a technology-based business with commercial potential
- Must have well-qualified principals involved with the business
Affiliate Application
EnterpriseWorks Individual Membership
The EnterpriseWorks Individual Membership is designed to provide access to EnterpriseWorks' services to solo entrepreneurs, contract workers, or professionals who are working remotely.
To be considered for individual membership, the applicant:
- Must be a well-qualified individual
- Must be working for or starting a for-profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be working on a research or technology related professional opportunity
Individual Membership Application
Student Startup Initiative
Students may submit proposals to be considered for access to the co-working space and shared lab facilities in EnterpriseWorks, the startup incubator at the Research Park. Proposals are accepted on a competitive basis. Occasionally, shared space that is dedicated to student startups may be available, but it is not guaranteed.
To be considered for student startup membership, the applicant:
-
- Must have a founder/executive that is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois
- Must be starting a for profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be a technology-based business
*Most of the available student startup space is dedicated to Cozad New Venture Challenge and Illinois Innovation Award winners.
Student Startup Initiative Application
Tenants at EnterpriseWorks have full access to its suite of services for entrepreneurs and benefit from the peer community that envelops it.
Acceptance as a tenant is contingent upon meeting the following criteria:
- The applicant must be an incorporated, for-profit company with a valid tax ID.
- The applicant must be an early-stage, technology-based company with significant market potential.
- The applicant must have (or wish to have) an active relationship, in some form, with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- The principals involved should be well-qualified in their field of technology and have (or plan to have) experienced management as part of the team.
- The company must be financially solvent with a plan to raise sufficient capital to achieve its business plan.
EnterpriseWorks Tenant Application
Have questions? Contact Laura Appenzeller, Executive Director of the Research Park, at lfrerich@illinois.edu.
The EnterpriseWorks Affiliate Program is a pre-incubation program for early-stage startup companies. This program is designed to help inventors and entrepreneurs to access EnterpriseWorks' services and become tenants of the Research Park through an affordable program.
To be considered for the affiliate program, the applicant:
- Must be a for-profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be a technology-based business with commercial potential
- Must have well-qualified principals involved with the business
Affiliate Application
The EnterpriseWorks Individual Membership is designed to provide access to EnterpriseWorks' services to solo entrepreneurs, contract workers, or professionals who are working remotely.
To be considered for individual membership, the applicant:
- Must be a well-qualified individual
- Must be working for or starting a for-profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be working on a research or technology related professional opportunity
Individual Membership Application
Students may submit proposals to be considered for access to the co-working space and shared lab facilities in EnterpriseWorks, the startup incubator at the Research Park. Proposals are accepted on a competitive basis. Occasionally, shared space that is dedicated to student startups may be available, but it is not guaranteed.
To be considered for student startup membership, the applicant:
-
- Must have a founder/executive that is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois
- Must be starting a for profit business
- Must have a real need for the services offered through EnterpriseWorks
- Must be a technology-based business
*Most of the available student startup space is dedicated to Cozad New Venture Challenge and Illinois Innovation Award winners.
Student Startup Initiative Application
Tenant Resources
Network Access
For any tenant or employee who needs access to the IllinoisNet network, please use this form and request a Net ID.
Prox Card
For any tenant or employee who needs access to their office/lab space in the EnterpriseWorks building, please use this form and request a Prox Card.
Your request will be processed, and you will receive an email from EnterpriseWorks Facility Operations Coordinator Jim Wells with further instructions.
Research Park Card
For any tenant or employee who requires identification of their employment at Research Park, please use this form and request a Research Park Card.
Parking
EnterpriseWorks offers two available permit parking lots to tenants and their employees at no additional cost:
- North Parking Lot (entrance on Oak St)
- East Parking Lot (entrance on Hazelwood Dr)
For any tenant or employee that needs a parking pass for the EnterpriseWorks parking lot, please see Sheri Wilson at the EnterpriseWorks front desk.
Step – 1: Pay the one-time bicycle registration fee here – Bicycle Registration Fee form
- Provide your contact information, including your email, phone number, and how you are affiliated with the University.
- Use your credit/debit card to pay the one-time $10 bicycle registration fee.
- Save the Confirmation email for your record. You will need this Confirmation number when you go to collect the Shield.
- Use the link provided at the bottom of the Payment Confirmation page to proceed to registering your bicycle.
Step – 2: Proceed to register your bicycle on the Project 529 Garage website
- Enter your contact information on the Project 529 Garage registration form. You are encouraged to enter your personal email, so that even if/when you leave the university, your registration remains active.
- Provide your bicycle information on this page, including your bicycle’s serial number, manufacturer, model, frame color, etc.
- Find your bicycle’s serial number using the information on Project 529’s website: Locate Your Bicycle’s Serial Number
- It is critical that you input the serial number accurately.
- Select one of the Shield pick up locations from the drop-down menu.
- Leave the “529 Shield” field blank, you will fill this field after you collect the 529 Shield from your chosen location.
- Click on the “Register your Bike”.
- Download 529 Garage app on your Android or iPhone and use your profile information to login to the app.
- This will allow you to receive notifications, such as theft recovery message, if you bike has to be moved, etc.
Step – 3: Collect your 529 Shield and install it on the frame of your bicycle
- You must bring a printed or electronic copy of your Payment Confirmation email along with a Government-issued or University-issued ID card to your selected Shield pick-up location.
- Staff at the Shield pick-up location will confirm the payment and your identity, and provide you with a 529 Shield.
- 529 Shields are tamper-resistant registration stickers with unique IDs. You must attach it on your bicycle’s frame at an easily accessible and visible location.
- Login to the Project 529 Garage website or app, and complete your registration by entering the unique 529 Shield ID. We highly recommend you to add pictures of your bicycle and any other information to help the authorities to find your bicycle in case of theft.
- If you do not see the option to select where to collect your 529 Shield, please contact bike@illinois.edu as soon as possible.
EnterpriseWorks tenants have the option of reserving conference rooms, outdoor patio space, and the EnterpriseWorks atrium at no cost.
Conference Room 115 holds 8 - 10 people
Conference Room 215 holds 10 - 12 people
Conference Room 220 holds 12 - 15 people
McMillan Meeting Room (130) holds 25 people
Atrium holds up to 50 people at rounds or 80 people theatre-style
West Outdoor Patio w/ Grill & Refrigerator holds 20 people
Conference rooms include features such as:
- Polycom conference phone
- White board walls and LCD TV for wireless laptop hook up
- UIUC wireless and hard wired connections
- McMillan Meeting Room (130) has built-in projection system and laptop
- Atrium has built-in projection system and laptop
Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reserve A Space
Please complete the online service request form, and an EnterpriseWorks staff member will contact you for scheduling.
Submit a Service Request
Allied Agencies may can receive specific benefits offered by the University of Illinois for being located on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
For more information on the benefits of being an allied organization, please visit the Office of Corporate Relations website here.
Companies located at the University of Illinois Research Park are eligible to apply for Allied Agency status. To become an Allied Agency, follow these steps:
- Complete this form and send it to research-park@illinois.edu. Research Park staff will sign and send the form to the Office of Corporation Relations, who will send a letter to your Research Park site.
- Next, send a list of your employees to the OCR and Research Park staff.
- Request a NetID.
- After requesting a NetID, request an Illinois.edu email address by contacting Tech Services.
- Then, you may request a Research Park card.
- Visit the ID Center located at the Illini Union Bookstore to get your card.
ALLIED AGENCY APPLICATION
Tenant Discounts
EnterpriseWorks companies have access to a variety of tenant discounts including discounts on payment platforms, customer relationship management, hosting programs, and more.
If you are a current EnterpriseWorks tenant and would like more information on how to access these discounts, contact Roger West at rwest@illinois.edu.
Altium
Altium offers a one-year subscription for Altium Designer to EnterpriseWorks tenants and affiliates. Altium Designer is an easy, modern, and powerful PCB design software that enables users to effortlessly connect with every facet of the PCB design process.
Amazon Web Services
The team at Amazon Web Services has a startup program for companies in our portfolio. The program, AWS Activate, provides you with the following perks:
- Up to $5,000 in AWS credit valid for 2 years
- One year of AWS Business Support (up to $1,500)
- Opportunities to qualify for additional credits
EnterpriseWorks startups can apply here for AWS Activate. Please contact Roger West at rwest@illinois.edu to receive the Organization ID required for creating your account.
Braintree
Braintree is a full-stack payments platform that makes it easy to accept payments in your app or website. When you sign up with Braintree Ignite, there are no fees on your first $50,000 of sales volume. After your business crosses the $50,000 threshold, the standard 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction rate applies. Charge-backs will still incur a $15 fee during this promotion.
Contactually
Contactually helps businesses follow up with the right people, at the right me, to maximize relationship ROI.
Contactually is the CRM you'll actually want to use. It's designed to help you and your team generate more business from your existing network of relationships by organizing, automating, and improving your ordinary communication.
MATLAB
MATLAB® is a high level language and interactive environment used by millions of engineers and scientists worldwide.
EnterpriseWorks clients now have one year of free access to MATLAB and Simulink, mathematical computing tools used by more than 1 million technical professionals worldwide.
Microsoft BizSpark
The Microsoft BizSpark program provides technology, support, visibility, and community to promising startups and entrepreneurs. Access to 900+ current, full-featured software development tools, platform technologies, and server products to build software applications. BizSpark startups also get free monthly Microsoft Azure benefits enabling them to quickly build,deploy, and manage Web applications.
Quick2LAUNCH
Quick2LAUNCH’s platform helps clients develop visually stunning presentations.
In under 48 hours, Quick2LAUNCH’s graphic design team can transform plain slides into a powerful presentation.
Rackspace Startups
The Rackspace Startup Program helps you launch your business with hosting, mentorship, branding, and fanatical support
The Rackspace Startup Program offers:
- $2,000 monthly discount off US-based cloud products for a period of 12 concurrent months.
- Additional discounts include:
- Mailgun - $50/month discount for 12 months
- ObjectRocket – 20% discount on first shard for 12 months
- Airbrake - $39/month discount for 3 months
- New Relic - Free Standard Account for life
- CloudPassage - Free Halo Firewall for Rackspace Cloud
- Load Impact - 100 free test credits ($299 value)
- Dome9 - Free access to Lite Cloud edition plus 30-day unlimited trail of
all features in Paid Plans
- Technical mentorship. Cloud launch managers will help you architect your app so it's built to scale right from the beginning.
- Fanatical Support®. Should you run into any problems along the way, just pick up the phone and call. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Building your brand. Resources like Cloud Tools Marketplace and guidance. Build your brand and get up to speed on the latest ways to get your startup noticed in the market.
Sync by BitTorrent
BitTorrent Sync lets you sync and share files of any size, without the cloud, without touching any third-party servers. By moving files directly between devices, it's fully private and takes the most efficient path.
Try Sync today, with Pro features enabled for 30 days. All EnterpriseWorks tenants are eligible for a discounted annual subscription.
Twilio
Twilio is a cloud service to send and receive calls or texts automatically. Twilio provides each member a $50 promotion after they sign up for a free account. This requires a credit card, but you will not be charged.
Wolfram
Wolfram Research, Inc. proudly offers Mathematica and System Modeler to Research Park affiliates for 1 year + 3 online trainings per licensee. U of I Research Park organizations can also sign up for a free Wolfram Cloud account.
Wolfram Research: bringing computation and knowledge to everything. Creators of Mathematica, @Wolfram_Alpha, Wolfram Language. Founded in 1987 by @stephen_wolfram.
History
EnterpriseWorks was built in 2003 to help successfully launch early-stage technology companies. The incubator is owned and operated by the University of Illinois. Since opening, EnterpriseWorks has launched more than 250 startup companies and many more aspiring entrepreneurs.
Named as one of Inc Magazine’s “Top 3 College Town Incubators” and as one of Forbes‘ “10 Technology Incubators Changing the World,” EnterpriseWorks is an incubator facility and resource center for science and technology focused entrepreneurs.
EnterpriseWorks Expansion
The vision for the EnterpriseWorks Expansion and Research Park Commons plan is to provide adequate lab facilities for growth-stage startup companies and to add community spaces creating an environment for creative collisions. Learn more about the plan here.