I-Start Professional Service Assistance

The I-Start Entrepreneur Assistance Program is a matching award program targeted to University of Illinois researchers that have a strong potential for technology commercialization through new company formation. I-Start offers a suite of first-year professional services startup services for new University of Illinois entrepreneurs including business development, legal setup, SBIR application, bookkeeping assistance, and marketing assistance. EnterpriseWorks has referrals to providers that can offer the scope of services at rates that match the funding level. We competitively award companies between 50-90% of the cost of the services (no equity is taken). The EIR help evaluate these clients and monitor their progress.

To apply for the I-Start program, please complete the application and return it to Laura Frerichs at lfrerich@illinois.edu. 

I-Start Entrepreneur Service Package for New UI Startups

Service Types

Legal Services

Business Planning

SBIR Assistance

Financial and Payroll Services

Student Shared Services Center

Scope of Services

•Initial Company Formation, bylaws, application for FEIN (filing fees paid by entrepreneur)

•Stockholder agreements and certificates

•Stock option plan

•Employment Agreement

•Non disclosure agreements

•Write Business Plan with inventor input

•Market Research

•Financial Projections

•Recommendation on sources of capital

•Assistance with hiring and incorporation decisions

•Finding solicitation and agency fit

•SBIR process guidance

•Draft budget

•Writing assistance

•Help with letters of support

•Project Management

•Registrations and Submission

•Payroll admin

•Quarterly Financial Statements

•Assistance with Quickbooks setup for the business

•Market research

•Presentation assistance

•Initial template website

•Logo assistance

•Social media, adwords

•IT/Computer system setup

(up to 100 hours of student work)