Illini Angels

Illini Angels is a network of alumni angel investors supporting early-stage startups affiliated with the University of Illinois System. The group focuses on companies with founders or leadership who are part of the Illini family—faculty, alumni, or students from any of the three University of Illinois campuses—as well as companies that license university technology. Their support includes seed funding, advice, and mentorship.

The angel network plans to focus on innovative companies that leverage the university's expertise in fields like engineering, computer science, healthcare, ag tech, and energy. In November 2023, Illini Angels made its first investment in Natrion, a solid-state EV battery pioneer operating out of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park and Binghamton, New York. Natrion develops components for automotive and battery manufacturers to deploy safe, high-performance all-solid-state rechargeable batteries.

Illini Angels is a program of Illinois Ventures, the University of Illinois System’s venture capital arm. The network draws talent, ideas, startups, and members from all three University of Illinois System campuses, reflecting the world-class technological leadership of the university and its thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.