Illinois e-News Release
Governor Pritzker Awards $2.4 Million to 34 Companies Through Innovation Voucher Program, Announces Round III
Funding supports statewide research and development partnerships with universities across key industries
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced 34 awards totaling $2.4 million through the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to promote small business growth and strengthen research collaborations across Illinois. Additionally, the Governor announced $2.6 million available in grant funding for the third round of the Innovation Voucher Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive application process.
“The Innovation Voucher Program is enhancing research and development across key sectors - solidifying Illinois’ reputation as a center for innovation. These investments grow our economy, empower our small businesses, and encourage collaboration between startups and Illinois’ renowned universities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I look forward to seeing groundbreaking research come to fruition and I encourage all eligible businesses to apply for the next round of funding for this transformative program.”
Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has continued to expand its standing as a national innovation hub by connecting small businesses with the state’s world-class universities and research institutions. Through competitive awards of up to $75,000, the program enables companies to pursue research and development (R&D) projects in partnership with a qualified Illinois institute of higher education that support technology validation, accelerate product development, and strengthen commercialization pathways.
“Illinois has a business community that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, connecting them with our world-class educational institutions just makes sense,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Innovation takes time and resources, something small businesses now have access to with this program. There is no limit to how far Illinoisans can go!”
As the program enters its third year, participation from Illinois’ higher education institutions has broadened significantly, reflecting a deepening alignment between academic research capabilities and private-sector innovation needs. This expanded network is helping more companies access university expertise, research facilities, and technical resources across the state.
“The first two rounds of the Innovation Voucher Program have supported successful partnerships among Illinois’ world-class institutes of higher education and small businesses as they collaborate on transformative projects in key sectors,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “I encourage eligible entities to apply for the third round of funding to help foster innovation throughout the state.”
Awardees in the 2025 cohort represent a diverse mix of high-growth industries across Illinois, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, health and life sciences, clean energy and energy storage, food and agricultural innovation, and semiconductor and advanced materials development. These university–business partnerships will advance cutting-edge research, accelerate technology development, and reinforce Illinois’ position as a national leader in research-driven innovation.
| Grantee | City | Award Amount | University Partner | Industry / Project Theme |
| Archer Career | Chicago | $74,950.30 | DePaul University | Education |
| Arma Biosciences | Evanston | $74,676.80 | Northwestern University | Health care |
| Aster Space Technologies LLC | Chicago | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Space Tech |
| BAnta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Naperville | $74,999.08 | University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology | Health care |
| Biagon Inc. | Chicago | $74,921.97 | University of Illinois Chicago | Health care |
| Cellmend Technologies | Glen Ellyn | $74,999.98 | Northwestern University | Health care |
| Coral Innovations | Glenview | $74,742.20 | Northwestern University | Clean Tech |
| Enzyme by Design Inc. | Chicago | $74,999.60 | University of Illinois Chicago | Health care |
| Grapherry | Western Springs | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Energy |
| ImmPro, Inc. | Evanston | $74,679.78 | Northwestern University | Health care |
| Kilwa Technologies | Chicago | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Fin Tech |
| Lux Blox LLC | Galesburg | $56,432.86 | Bradley University | Education |
| memQ, Inc. | Chicago | $62,314.19 | University of Chicago | Quantum |
| Midwest Bioprocessing Center | Peoria | $74,983.28 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Health care |
| NETenergy | Chicago | $74,985.86 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Energy |
| Opera Bioscience | Evanston | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Health care |
| Phoenix Bean LLC | Chicago | $74,141.44 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Food Tech |
| Qolab, Inc. | Chicago | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Quantum |
| Retina Robotics™ | Naperville | $57,956.78 | University of Illinois Chicago | Transportation and Logistics |
| Says | Chicago | $74,577.71 | Northwestern University | Technology |
| Seq Solutions | Chicago | $20,173.29 | Loyola University Chicago | Clean Tech |
| Sibel Health Inc | Chicago | $74,999.02 | Northwestern University | Health care |
| Sigenics, Inc | Chicago | $74,902.96 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Semiconductor |
| SMARTCharts | Chicago | $74,309.04 | University of Illinois Chicago | Health care |
| SolarMantle | Champaign | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Manufacturing |
| SuperBetter | Glen Ellyn | $74,922.31 | Northern Illinois University | Education |
| Tanda Biotech Corporation | Buffalo Grove | $74,957.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Health care |
| TearDx, LLC | Champaign | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Health care |
| The Loop Speech, Language, and Learning | Chicago | $74,653.35 | DePaul University | Health care |
| Tiptek, LLC | Savoy | $74,999.98 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Semiconductor |
| Ultra Small Fibers | Niles | $75,000.00 | IIT, Northwestern | Health care |
| UP Oncolytics | North Chicago | $74,973.26 | Rosalind Franklin University | Health care |
| Valjuvant Corporation | Chicago | $74,999.92 | University of Chicago | Health care |
| Vastimmune Biologics Inc. | Champaign | $74,999.47 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Health care |
Recognizing the success of the first two rounds of the program, DCEO has enlisted Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) to continue serving as the program administrator responsible for marketing, outreach, application review, technical portal support for applicants, application portal development, and efficient processing of payments.
“The Illinois Innovation Voucher Program has been transformative. By increasing R&D activity and establishing dynamic partnerships, Illinois is better positioned to produce new products and services, retain and attract businesses, and offer competitive opportunities for our talent pipeline,” said ISTC CEO Kate Calabra. “This creates an environment that not only welcomes and supports innovation, but directly benefits from the short- and long-term impact of comprehensive economic development. ISTC is proud to administer this program and endlessly impressed by the ingenuity within each awarded project. The next life-saving drug, industry disruptor, or technology-that-we-can’t-imagine-life- without is undoubtedly emerging as a result of this program and Illinois’ investment in its resident innovators.”
In 2025, interest in the Innovation Voucher Program reached record levels. Application submissions rose by 145% compared to 2024. At the same time, program engagement increased by approximately 137%, as more companies sought to learn about the program, explore its benefits, and understand how university-supported R&D can support their development goals. The program has also seen more universities participate across a broader geographic footprint, indicating that institutions increasingly view the program as a reliable pathway for applied research, student experiential learning, and technology translation.
“Congratulations to the 34 partnerships throughout Illinois that were awarded funding to support their transformative projects through the Innovation Voucher Program,” said Senator Celina Villanueva. “Spanning numerous high-growth sectors, these innovative projects have the power to support development goals and solidify Illinois’ leadership as a hub for innovation.”
The third round of the Innovation Voucher Program will build upon the State’s efforts to support innovative research and development projects. Innovation Vouchers are designed to support with research engagement costs, including the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, equipment necessary for project needs, and more.
Eligible entities include Illinois-based businesses with fewer than 500 employees or businesses that have at least 100 full-time employees in Illinois that operate in key industries, including agribusiness and agriculture technology, energy, information technology, life sciences and health care, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
Qualified entities can apply for competitive grants, with awards up to $75,000, to cover up to 75% of research engagement costs. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. To view application information and apply for the grant, please visit the program
website.
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