- 1. Southern Illinois Research Park
- 2. EnterpriseWorks & Research Park
- 3. University Technology Park at IIT
- 4. 1871 Chicago
- 5. Catapult Chicago
- 6. Lightbank Chicago
- 7. Excelerate Labs
- 8. Sandbox Industries
- 9. TechNexus
- 10. UIC Incubator Laboratory Facility
- 11. Fernworks Arts Incubator
- 12. Washington Park Arts Incubator
- 13. Plant Chicago
- 14. The Hub, Millikan University's Student Business Incubator
- 15. Galesburg Business and Technology Center
- 16. ISU/EDC Business Incubator
- 17. Peoria NEXT Innovation Center
- 18. Rantoul Business Incubator
- 19. EIGERlab
EnterpriseWorks
An incubator facilitates the growth of innovative startup companies by providing a collaborative and structured environment for development. Low rents, free business services, and technical support are all offered.
The Fulton-Caroll Center Business Incubator
Unlike a research park, incubators are geared towards the newest of start up firms. Most incubators provide services such as logo design, IT maintenance, market analysis, business plan revisions, and much more.
Galesburg Business and Technology Center
Approximately one-third of incubators are sponsored by economic development organizations. Government entites provide 21% of program sponsors. Finally, 20% are sponsored by academic institutions and universities.
Quincy Business & Technology Center
Studies have shown that 87% of incubator graduates stay in business, versus 44% of all other firms.
Technology Innovation Center
Incubator clients spend 33 months in a program, on average. A variety of incubators are available to tend to specific company needs, including technology, telecommunications, biomedical, manufacturing, and software.
Research Park & EnterpriseWorks
Champaign
60 Hazelwood Drive
Home to 49 different startup companies, Research Park & EnterpriseWorks has been nationally recognized as one of "10 Startup Incubators You Need to Watch", according to Inc.com. Upon its inception in 2000, EnterpriseWorks has been working with a broad range of startups that have been pursuing development in chemical sciences, biotechnology, sustainability, and material sciences. Programs such as "Entrepreneurs-in-Residence" and "Shared Services" offer valuable resources for companies to establish an identity and transition into a long-term company.
Galesburg Business and Technology Center
Galesburg
2051 Tom L. Wilson Boulevard
Located near Carl Sandburg College, the BTC mission is to increase the number and quality of jobs within the private sector by assisting new and expanding businesses. A variety of services and equipment are provided in order to assist startups: free cleaning services, volunteer menotiring, secretarial services, flexible lease releases, on-site management, access to state, city, & local business development resources, free utilities & phone services, and conference rooms are several of many services and equipment offered to tenants.
University Technology Park at IIT
Chicago
3440 South Dearborn Street
The Technology Business Center at the University Technology Park at IIT is designed for the dnyamic convergence of bioscience, engineering, and high-tech companies. It is part of a four-building complex that houses a state-of-the-art incubator, a 19-story office ower, and IIT Research Institute, one of the nation's leading contract research organizations. Additional features include back-up generator farms, build-to-suit wet labs, dry labs, and office space, 126,000 rentable square feet of space, and much more!
Peoria NEXT Innovation Center
Peoria
801 West Main Street
The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center is a $13 million technology incubator that fosters discovery, innovation, and commercialization for the life sciences, engineering, and information technology. Minutes from the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Bradley University, Caterpillar, and the Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation, the Innovation Center works directly with Bradley University to coordinate funding and operations within the facility. Peoria is recognized by Forbes as one of the nation's top metro areas for its low cost of doing business.
Southern Illinois Research Park
Carbondale
1740 Innovation Drive
The Southern Illinois Research Park (SIRP) is a non-profit corporation affiliated with Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) promoting technology and knowledge-based enterprise development within the Park and the southern Illinois region. As a knowledge-based high-tech and research-oriented business park, SIRP is a member of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). Central actiity is enterprise development to locate and expand knowledge-based, technology, and research oriented enterprises at the SIRP's site.
EIGERlab
Rockford
605 Fulton Avenue
EIGERlab ties together INNOVATION-COLLABORATION-ENTREPRENEURSHIP into a centrally located, state of the art mixed-use incubator, serving the region with leading edge business and engineering support services. The facility and programs assist in the development of a robust and diverse entrepreneurial culture through the collaboration of education, business and government. Focused to assist startups, EIGERlab serves as a one-stop resource for entrepreneurs and innovators to lease space at reasonable rates, participate in peer groups, access business services, and utilize design engineering and art-to-part rapid prototyping services.
1871 Chicago
Chicago
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, 12th Floor
The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn't really about the fire. It's about what happened next:A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations - born of passion and practical ingenuity - shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day. Chicago's brightest digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs are shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what's possible.
Catapult Chicago
Chicago
321 N. Clark St. Ste. 2550
Catapult is run for start-ups by start-ups. We only reach our full potential through the collective participation of some of Chicago's best and brightest entrepreneurs. Catapult Chicago is home to 12-15 of the most exciting, innovative, and disruptive companies in Chicago. Companies include Tempo, Techli, Shiftgig, ProcuredHealth, Kula, Dabble, Bucketfeet, Buzz Referals, Styleseek, Vlinks, and Mentormob. As a not for profit, Catapult looks to sponsors to help support its mission. Catapult sponsors typically contribute both financial support and time/expertise.
Lightbank Chicago
Chicago
600 West Chicago Avenue
Lightbank provides a solid business model, technology that works, top talent, and an experienced and connected partners. Lightbank works with entrepreneurs who value perspective, experience, insight, and resources. Lighthouse has created companies that now have over 10,000 eomployees worldwide, with perhaps the largest technology development footprint in the midwest, specifically. Every resource you need is available. The incubator also helps you become connected with the people you need to help you grow your business: accountants, lawyers, developers, and more.
Excelerate Labs
Chicago
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
Excelerate Labs is an intensive summer accelerator for startups driven by proven entrepreneurs and investors. Led by world class entrepreneurs Sam Yagan (OKCupid, Sparknotes) and Troy Henikoff (SurePayroll), the program is unique in attracting scores of mentors from around the country to work with the teams in direct 1-on-1 meetings. The program selects ten companies every spring to participate in the 13-week intensive summer program. Starting in early June, the ten companies build connections and their business during the program.
Sandbox Industries
Chicago
213 North Racine
Sandbox Industries creates, invests in and explores new businesses. They search for ideas with the potential to change markets, leveraging expertise, resources, and experience to grow successful comapnies through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Sandbox represents a new model of business development (one that helps rather than harasses entrepreneurs) and is redefining the way great ideas are generated and transformed into companies.
TechNexus
Chicago
200 South Wacker
TechNexus is the gateway to collaboration for Chicago's technology leaders. Established in 2007, the ecosystem began with private investment and community support and in partnership with the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) to serve as a "clubhouse" where ventures grow, and a co-working facility to bring technology professionals together, foster relationships and promote a sense of community in Chicago.
ISU/EDC Business Incubator
Normal
200 W. College Ave
The EDC, in partnership with Illinois State University, recently launched the Center for Emerging Entrepreneurs. The CEE seeks to foster economic development by addressing the educational and business development needs of emerging entrepreneurs. Assistance includes coaching, direct assistance, individualized consultation, mentoring and educational services.
UIC Incubator Laboratory Facility
Chicago
2201 West Campbell Park Drive
Revolutionary. That's technology. In order to keep pace with invention and discovery, you need an environment that allows technology to thrive. The Chicago Technology Park (CTP) is a place where inspiration happens; where knowledge and community are shared. It's vital ground for the cultivation of ingenuity. Located on 56 acres within the Illinois Medical District (IMD), the CTP is a dynamic science and business community, specifically designed to help emerging science businesses flourish. The CTP's facilities, services, and 25 years of experience in business incubation can meet the needs of growing tech-based companies today.
The Hub, Millikin University's Student Business Incubator
Decatur
1135 West Wood St
For students to start and begin running a business, they need work space to collaborate with colleagues, meet with clients, and have support resources. They need office spaces, conference rooms, basic office supplies such as copier, material, and creative "think" space. Most of all, they need 24 hour access in a secure place to begin and grow their business idea. The solution: The Hub, Millikin University's Student Business Incubator.
Rantoul Business Incubator
Rantoul
601 S. Century Blvd
The Rantoul Business Incubator is a new affiliate of EnterpriseWorks, established through the East Central Illinois University Center funded by the US Economic Development Administration. The Incubator is located at the former Chanute Air Force Base, provides free space for entrepreneurs. RBI will offer entrepreneurial support services including onsite business consulting from the Small Business Development Center as well as access to a team of Parkland and the University of Illinois students that provide a variety of business and marketing services. This facility is an affiliate of EnterpriseWorks, the business incubator located within the Research Park.
The Plant Chicago Incubator
Chicago
1400 W. 46th St.
The Plant is a new kind of organization in a very old building. It's part vertical farm, part food-business incubator, part research and education space - and it will be entirely off the grid. Take a look around to learn more about what we're doing - and welcome!
Washington Park Arts Incubator
Chicago
6357 S. Cottage Grove Ave
Led by artist Theaster Gates and University of Chicago, the Washington Park Arts Incubator will serve as a powerful catalyst for neighborhood revitalization by creating a new hub for artistic production and community engagement on Chicago's South Side.
Fernwork Arts Incubator
Chicago
403 N Humphrey Avenue 2
Fernwork Arts Incubator's mission is to foster the creation and presentation of new art through the formation of a cross-discipline community of artists; conduct joint fundraising efforts on behalf of individual artists; and create public awareness and support of artists and artistic projects.