The Grainger College of Engineering’s Technology Entrepreneur Center has launched its inaugural academic-based startup accelerator program, welcoming 10 innovative deep tech student ventures. The Spring 2025 cohort of TE 598 AI2: Venture Development of Deep Tech Enterprises course represents a diverse range of teams addressing critical challenges in healthcare, education, cybersecurity and more.
"This program marks a significant milestone in our commitment to transforming student research and innovation into viable businesses," says John Thode, Richard and Gayle Landuyt Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Grainger Engineering. "Our first cohort demonstrates the incredible depth of innovation happening at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with teams tackling everything from AI-powered education to medical device development."
The new course is open to all students on campus. The inaugural cohort includes:
- AlphaEd: An AI-powered educational platform personalizing learning experiences and reducing teacher burnout in large classrooms.
- Auvi Labs: Developing a wearable device for early detection of AV fistula failure in dialysis patients, potentially saving $20,000 per intervention.
- Ferritiva: Creating accessible iron deficiency testing through over-the-counter biochemical strips and monitoring devices.
- Mirage: Building gamified chemistry labs in virtual reality to increase student engagement and test scores by 25%.
- NomosLearning: Offering AI-powered study tools and career support for law students.
- OEASE: Streamlining operations for small mission-driven organizations with an AI-powered management platform.
- Provenance Security: Automating cybersecurity alert investigation, reducing investigation time from 30 to 3 minutes.
- Safira Hiring: Developing AI-powered interview and feedback systems for high-volume hiring.
- Sensiboo: Creating wearable technology to assess and optimize infant development from birth to age one.
- TextData: Providing real time, contextual references to published papers during research discussions.
The program offers teams access to dedicated mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics. Teams will work throughout the semester to develop their business models, with the opportunity to compete for funding at the program's conclusion.
"The diversity and sophistication of these ventures highlight Illinois' strength in deep tech innovation," Thode adds. "We're excited to help these teams transform their groundbreaking technologies into successful enterprises."