Discovery Partners Institute

What Discovery Partners Institute does

Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is a non-profit research and innovation institute operating under the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, headquartered at 200 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago with a new 244,954-square-foot permanent headquarters at 250 S. Wacker Drive (closed March 2026 for $23.75M). Founded in 2016, the institute focuses on AI innovation and application, quantum technologies, advanced semiconductor systems, and next-generation computing, functioning as a hub that connects university research, education, and business development to position Chicago as a leader in the global tech economy.

DPI's core offering is a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product. Talent development is delivered through the Pritzker Tech Talent Labs, which spans K-12 outreach (Digital Explorers, Digital Scholars, Discover Computing), community college pathways (Community College Pathways), university-level internship placement (Engineering City Scholars pairs top UIUC CS/CE students with Chicago tech companies for 20-hour-per-week paid semester internships), and teacher training (CS endorsement and professional development). Applied research is delivered through the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) and the Climate R&D Hub. The institute also operates a flagship physical asset — the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) — a 128-acre quantum computing campus on the former U.S. Steel South Works site that broke ground in 2025, with PsiQuantum as primary tenant (planning a million-qubit fault-tolerant system) alongside IBM, Infleqtion, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines.

The business model is non-commercial. DPI does not charge for services or sell products, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. Revenue mechanics consist of state appropriations (a $500 million Illinois investment), federal funding (DARPA partnership, $140M matched federal funding for IQMP), state-administered incentives ($200M+ in Illinois tax incentives through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity), and philanthropic grants (a $10M Pritzker Foundation grant in 2020). Constituent groups served are students, university researchers, industry partners, entrepreneurs, and teachers — distributed across the Chicago metropolitan area and the broader Midwest, with no traditional sales motion.

Name

Discovery Partners Institute

Legal name

Discovery Partners Institute

Website

https://dpi.uillinois.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Discovery Partners Institute is a non-profit research and innovation institute under the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, advancing AI, quantum technologies, and advanced computing while building diverse tech talent and convening industry, academic, and government partners across Chicago.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Innovation Institute

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Computer Training (611420)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB), Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG), Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)

Keywords

• Tech talent development
• AI research institute
• Quantum technology research
• Workforce development programs
• Innovation ecosystem hub

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. State Investment and Funding: The state of Illinois has invested $500 million in DPI and the Illinois Innovation Network to accelerate research and build a statewide innovation ecosystem. This represents the primary non-dilutive funding source for operations and expansion.
2. Building Acquisition: DPI purchased a 244,954 square-foot office building at 250 S. Wacker Drive for $23.75 million as its new permanent headquarters, representing capital expenditure rather than revenue generation.
3. Federal and State Grants: The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) partnership involves support from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through grant funding for renovations and facility development at mHUB.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Discovery Partners Institute is a non-profit research and innovation hub under the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It delivers tech talent development programs (K-12 through lifelong learners via Pritzker Tech Talent Labs and its sub-programs), research collaborations in AI, quantum technologies, and advanced computing, applied research through IWERC and the Climate R&D Hub, and partnership-based convening of industry, academia, and government to strengthen Chicago's innovation ecosystem.

Product overview

Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is a multi-faceted innovation hub under the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Rather than a single unified product, DPI operates as a platform of interconnected programs focused on AI innovation, quantum technologies, and workforce development. The core offerings include the Pritzker Tech Talent Labs (a talent pipeline spanning K-12 through lifelong learners), which encompasses sub-programs such as Community College Pathways, Digital Explorers, Digital Scholars Program, Discover Computing, and Teacher Training Programs. Research and Development capabilities are delivered through the Climate R&D Hub and the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC). Additionally, the Engineering City Scholars program connects UIUC students with Chicago tech companies for internships. DPI also operates a new 244,954 square-foot headquarters at 250 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago's West Loop as a collaborative hub for researchers, industry partners, entrepreneurs, and students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pritzker Tech Talent Labs A talent development initiative that takes a systemic approach to developing promising and diverse tech talent across Illinois, operating from K-12 through community colleges, universities, and lifelong learners. It encompasses multiple sub-programs including Community College Pathways, Digital Explorers, Digital Scholars, and Discover Computing.
• Community College Pathways A Pritzker Tech Talent Labs sub-program guiding historically underrepresented students from community colleges into computer science and tech-related fields.
• Digital Explorers A Pritzker Tech Talent Labs K-12 outreach program introducing students to technology and digital skills.
• Digital Scholars Program A Pritzker Tech Talent Labs sub-program supporting students in technology education pathways.
• Discover Computing A Pritzker Tech Talent Labs sub-program designed to help students discover computing and technology career opportunities.
• Teacher Training Programs Programs providing professional development, a teaching endorsement in computer science, and resources to improve computer science instruction across Illinois schools.
• Engineering City Scholars A program run by the Grainger College of Engineering at UIUC that pairs top computer science and computer engineering students with Chicago tech companies for semester-long, paid, 20-hour-per-week internships.
• Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) A research collaborative focused on workforce and education research, including core principles, current projects, a defined research agenda, advisory councils, and publications.
• Climate R&D Hub A research hub dedicated to climate research and development initiatives, operating as a core applied research subsidiary of DPI.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• mHUBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) announced a partnership with mHUB to host its On-Ramp program. The partnership allows quantum technology companies to access specialized labs and the Chicago innovation ecosystem immediately while permanent park facilities are under construction. The 128-acre park will include four quantum labs at mHUB equipped with cryostats, control electronics, lasers, and optical tables. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is supporting renovations at mHUB through grant funding.
• University of Illinois SystemflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Illinois System announced a $500 million investment to expand Discovery Partners Institute with DPI South at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, positioning the state as a global leader in quantum research. DPI is led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• University of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Chicago is involved in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park project alongside other partners including DARPA, the University of Illinois, and multiple quantum computing companies.
• DARPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDARPA is involved in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park project as a key partner alongside the University of Illinois, University of Chicago, and multiple quantum computing companies including PsiQuantum, IBM, Infleqtion, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines.
• PsiQuantumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPsiQuantum is the primary tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, planning to build a million-qubit fault-tolerant quantum computer at the site. The company is one of multiple quantum computing companies attracted to the 128-acre park.
• IBMflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBM is a tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, participating in the quantum campus alongside PsiQuantum, Infleqtion, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines. IBM has announced plans for an innovation center at the park creating 750 new tech jobs.
• InfleqtionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfleqtion is one of multiple quantum computing companies tenanting at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in South Chicago.
• PasqalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPasqal is one of multiple quantum computing companies tenanting at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in South Chicago.
• DiraqminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiraq is one of multiple quantum computing companies tenanting at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in South Chicago.
• Quantum MachinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum Machines is one of multiple quantum computing companies tenanting at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in South Chicago.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global startup accelerator operating dozens of industry-specific programs and corporate partnerships. Comparable to DPI's broader convening function but in a private, commercial structure; serves as a benchmark for talent and founder engagement at scale.

Direct peers

• mHUB: Chicago-based product innovation hub and accelerator focused on manufacturing and hardware startups. Direct operational peer - DPI partnered with mHUB via the IQMP On-Ramp program to host quantum lab tenants while IQMP is built out, sharing the same Chicago innovation infrastructure and stakeholder network.
• Northwestern University Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO): Northwestern's tech-transfer and venture-creation arm serving as Chicago's other major university innovation function. Operates the Querrey InQbation Lab and similar programs to DPI's Pritzker Tech Talent Labs - direct competitor for Chicago-based research funding, faculty engagement, and talent placement.
• Research Triangle Park: Large-scale research park in North Carolina anchored by Duke, UNC, and NC State. Closest analog to DPI's IQMP model: a multi-decade, state-supported physical innovation campus driving commercialization of university research in tech and life sciences.
• University City Science Center: Philadelphia-based research park and innovation hub founded in 1963 around university research commercialization. Functionally similar model - university-anchored physical innovation campus driving startup formation, talent development, and industry partnership.
• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based urban innovation hub that convenes entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporate partners around deep-tech and life sciences - operationally the closest international peer. Both monetize physical infrastructure (HQ campuses), talent programs, and research commercialization rather than selling a discrete commercial product.
• Chicago Quantum Exchange: Illinois-based consortium advancing quantum science and engineering, involving University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Argonne, Fermilab, and Northwestern. Direct peer in the same regional quantum ecosystem that DPI's IQMP and quantum research programs are designed to anchor.
• University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Chicago-based university innovation hub offering tech talent pipelines, research commercialization, and entrepreneurship programs alongside world-class faculty. Structurally analogous to DPI: both operate within tier-1 research universities and serve as the bridge between academic research and Chicago's industry ecosystem.
• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and accelerator supporting tech and life-sciences startups built on Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh research. Comparable mission of converting regional research assets into commercial ventures via talent pipelines and corporate partnerships.

Regional players

• Argonne National Laboratory: DOE-affiliated research laboratory in suburban Chicago with a major quantum information science program and longstanding DPI/IQMP neighbor. Operates at a different scale (federal lab vs. state institute) but competes for the same quantum talent and partnership dollars in the same geographic cluster.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/discovery-partners-institute
• Xx.com/discoverdpi
• Instagraminstagram.com/dpi_illinois
• Facebookfacebook.com/DPIllinois
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@discoverypartnersinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Discovery Partners Institute