18 Mar IU Ventures maintains momentum to support entrepreneurial efforts during pandemic year

Despite challenges created by the global coronavirus pandemic, IU Ventures had a hugely successful 2020 calendar year. Several investment milestones were reached, and new initiatives were put in place to springboard into an even stronger 2021.

During 2020, IU Ventures:

• Made seven follow-on investments/commitments to companies in its Innovate Indiana Fund and IU Philanthropic Venture Fund portfolios for a total of $2 million.
• Made two new investments from the IU Philanthropic Venture Fund totaling $375,000.
• Organized 18 company pitches to the IU Angel Network, which led to 10 investments/commitments totaling $1.1 million. The IU Angel Network welcomed over 50 members during 2020.
• Was recognized in the Elevate Ventures 2020 Indiana Venture Report as one the top three most active investors in Indiana in 2020.

IU Ventures also launched the IU Angel Network Sports Innovation Initiative, which identifies IU-affiliated sports tech startups to support and connect with the IU Athletic department to support enhanced athletic performance, to support former IU athletes in their entrepreneurial endeavors, and to help create solutions to identified problem areas.

“We’ve been inspired by the resilience of the founders we work with and their contributions to society during the pandemic,” said Teri Willey, managing director at IU Ventures. “We look forward to the role they will have in the post-pandemic recovery.”

All IU Ventures portfolio companies – including those in the Innovate Indiana Fund, IU Philanthropic Venture Fund and IU Angel Network – can be found online.