CHAMPAIGN, ILL –  Illinois Ventures, the University of Illinois System’s venture capital arm, has named Jacob Kinsey as its newest Senior Director, based at the organization’s Champaign office in Research Park.

In his role, Kinsey will support the firm’s growing investment activity in deep-tech and early-stage companies within the University of Illinois ecosystem. He will work under the leadership of Nancy Sullivan, CEO and Managing Director of Illinois Ventures, who also oversees the recently launched $50 million Deep Tech Fund, the largest in the organization’s history.

“I am absolutely delighted that Jacob Kinsey has joined the Illinois Ventures team and taken on this leadership role,” said Nancy Sullivan, CEO and Managing Director of Illinois Ventures. “Illinois Ventures was created to fuel the extraordinary University of Illinois entrepreneurial ecosystem, and having Jacob’s experience as an alumni, founder, and university mentor will only make our impact stronger. We have already witnessed the effects of his support with some of our portfolio companies, so I can’t wait to see the incredible possibilities that Jacob’s leadership will bring to Illinois Ventures.”

Kinsey previously served as Director of Illinois Business Consulting at the Gies College of Business, the largest student-run consulting organization in the country. He is also a serial technology entrepreneur, and a two-time alumnus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“This is an incredibly exciting time to join Illinois Ventures,” said Kinsey. “With the Deep Tech Fund, Illini Angels, and our pre-seed resources working in concert, we have an unprecedented opportunity to support breakthrough innovations from the University of Illinois system. I’m thrilled to help founders bring transformative ideas to life.”

Throughout his career, Kinsey has worked across electronics manufacturing, business consulting, and university innovation, including prior service on the board of the RIST Forum. He has mentored student entrepreneurs, collaborated with faculty researchers, and championed tech-driven solutions to industry challenges across the Midwest. As Illinois Ventures accelerates its investment activity across the University of Illinois System, Kinsey’s appointment reinforces the firm’s commitment to advancing research-driven innovation. Founders, researchers, and partners are encouraged to connect as we continue building the future of deep tech in Illinois.

About Illinois Ventures

Illinois Ventures has been a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship for nearly 25 years, supporting startups and early-stage companies across diverse sectors. With a history of over 120 investments, Illinois Ventures champions engineering marvels and pioneering solutions that have reshaped industries and improved lives. Anchored in its strong ties to the University of Illinois System, it leverages an extensive network and deep industry expertise to empower visionary founders and drive transformative change.

Illinois Ventures advances its mission through three core programs: Illini Angels, a vibrant network of alumni and friends investing in early-stage innovation; The Deep Tech Fund, which fuels breakthroughs in science and engineering with high commercial potential; and The Pre-seed Fund, designed to accelerate the most promising ideas emerging from Illinois start-ups.