Innovation Ecosystem

The Technology Innovation Lab is a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Located in the Illinois Medical District, TiLab supports UIC and community entrepreneurs looking to grow their ideas and technologies into sustainable businesses. The 12,000 square foot technology incubator features shared wet and dry laboratory space, flexible co-working space, small and large meeting rooms, and programming and events to support early stage technology startups.

Visit TiLab to learn more!

Using TiLab

First apply here!

After application is submitted wait for email with confirmation.

1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 1871 is the home of nearly 500 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 140,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, and tech talent schools. It includes Chicago’s brightest digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs are shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what’s possible.

Visit 1871 to learn more and apply!

Membership

U of I’s 1871 membership is available to current students, faculty, and staff from all of the University’s main campuses in Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Springfield, and regional campuses in Rockford and Peoria, who can demonstrate that they are engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits that would be advanced by accessing 1871.

Amenities

• Dedicated U of I Room, equipped with wifi, whiteboard, phone, printer, and videoconferencing capability
• Additional conference rooms of all sizes (must be reserved separately through 1871’s room reservation system)
• Telecom support
• Printing services
• Shared kitchen
• Concession area

Events and Workshops

1871 hosts unique and educational events every month, several of which are free to members, including the University. Visit the 1871 events calendar to register for 1871’s programs. (Please note that some events at 1871 are also open to the public or may require a fee to attend.)

Using 1871

Step 1: User Application Form (for first-time users)

First-time users must complete the University’s User Application before they are able to access the membership (for security purposes). Users only need to fill out this form once and will receive email confirmation within 1-2 business days.

All applicants and users must review and agree to the U of I @ 1871 Usage Policy before using the space.

Step 2:  Create an 1871 Member Profile
Create an 1871 member profile here. We use 1871’s online member portal to make reservations so this will allow you to access the room’s online reservation system so that you can reserve to use the room and register for select 1871 events and workshops that are open to University of Illinois (UIC, UIUC, and UIS) students.

Please note, it will take about 1-2 business days to approve your user application and activate your 1871 member profile.

Step 3: Access 1871’s Online Reservation Portal

Once you’re approved, you can login to 1871’s online portal here. We will also send you a complete user guide with instructions on how to book your spot and access 1871 events.

mHUB is the nation’s largest and fastest growing innovation center for physical product development and manufacturing. mHUB is a community of product designers and developers, entrepreneurs, engineers and manufacturers, a network of manufacturing mentors, industry experts and investors, and a source of intellectual and economic capital. mHUB is home to more than $5 million in resources including ten unique prototyping labs and microfactory for onsite low-volume production runs. Learn more at mHUBChicago.com.

Membership

UIC’s mHUB Associate Membership is available to current students, faculty, staff, and alumni* from the Univeristy’s Chicago campus and regional campuses in Rockford and Peoria. Interested students must demonstrate that they are engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits that would be advanced by accessing mHUB. An application through mHUB is required to gain access to the facility.

*UIC alumni have access to mHUB through UIC’s Associate Membership for up to 6 months after graduation

Amentities

• Thriving community of entrepreneurs, engineers, startups, mentors, and more
• Access to 10 prototyping labs with $5 million equipment and software
• Weekly and bi-weekly trainings on labs and equipment
• Shared workspace environment with desktop and software access
• Industry trainings, classes, events, and programming including a 50 course entrepreneurial training curriculum

Events

Every year mHUB hosts more than 300 events throughout its space including everything from meetup groups, to hackathons, to networking events and more. Many of the events are free to members including UIC students. Visit the mHUB events calendar to learn more register for events. (Please note that some events at mHUB are also open to the public or may require a fee to attend.)

Visit mHUB to learn more!

Using mHUB

First apply here!

After application is submitted wait for email with confirmation.

MATTER is a healthcare startup incubator, community nexus and corporate innovation accelerator. They are mobilizing a community of entrepreneurs, industry innovators, scientists and clinicians committed to improving health and care for every patient.

Membership

UIC’s MATTER membership is available to current students, faculty, and staff from the University’s Chicago campus and regional campuses in Rockford and Peoria, who can demonstrate that they are engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits that would be advanced by accessing MATTER

MATTER amenities

• Access to shared workspace
• 2 companies can be selected to participate in 12 month incubation process
• Invited participation in MATTER Immersion programs
• Invited participation in ACCESS program
• Access to MATTER mentoring program

Events

MATTER hosts unique and educational events every month, several of which are free to members, including the University. Visit the MATTER’s events calendar to register for events. (Please note that some events at MATTER are also open to the public or may require a fee to attend.)

Visit MATTER to learn more!

Using MATTER

First apply here!

After application is submitted wait for email with confirmation.

The Illinois University Incubator Network (IUIN) provides direct services to entrepreneurs and small businesses such as funding support for innovation research and assistance with graphic design, marketing communication, market surveys, websites, social media, etc.

The Small Business Assistance program

The Small Business Assistance program provides free creative and marketing services for qualified entrepreneurs, businesses, and business start-ups in the state of Illinois. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis. A team of student specialists provide free services for applications that are accepted.

Types of Services include graphic design (logo, brochure, etc.), marketing communication, social media strategy, basic website design, market survey design, business plan review, pitch presentation review, packaging design, trade show graphics, etc.

To learn more about the Small Business Assistance program, click here

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Funding

The IUIN provides SBIR assistance through free workshops and free one-on-one counseling to assist with SBIR funding applications.

Counseling, to assist with SBIR funding applications, is awarded to companies through a competitive application process. Applicants must be associated with a university and be referred by an incubator in the Illinois University Incubator Network or an institution of higher education in the following Illinois counties: Champaign, Coles, Cook, DeKalb, Jackson, Kankakee, Macon, Peoria, Sangamon, Winnebago.

To learn more, click here.