Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Knoxville Business News Tennessee Mountain Scenery Background
February 02, 2025 | Tom Ballard

State of Illinois announces “Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program”

Under the initiative, qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $3 million.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have announced $7 million in funding for the “Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program” (TIEG) to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through start-up incubators. This grant funding will strengthen Illinois’ technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

TIEG was designed to modernize and revitalize tech incubators across Illinois to meet the evolving needs of start-ups. This initiative aims to support the transformation of tech spaces, embracing a hybrid work model, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration, and resilience.

In addition to strengthening Illinois’ existing incubator foundation, TIEG will also lean into key growth industries of the future as outlined in Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan, including: (1) life sciences; (2) quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and microelectronics; (3) clean energy production and manufacturing; (4) advanced manufacturing; (5) next generation agriculture, agriculture tech, and food processing; and (6) transportation, distribution, and logistics.

Through the competitive NOFO process, qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $3 million.  Applications will be accepted until March 17.



Like what you've read?

Forward to a friend!

Don’t Miss Out on the Southeast’s Latest Entrepreneurial, Business, & Tech News!

Sign-up to get the Teknovation Newsletter in your inbox each morning!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


No, thanks!