A landmark $20 million commitment expands opportunities for generations of Illinois innovators

The transformational generosity of two alumni of The Grainger College of Engineering will expand entrepreneurship education opportunities for all students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, accelerating startup creation, fostering the commercialization of innovations and strengthening the university’s presence in Chicago.

Pending approval from the Board of Trustees, the Technology Entrepreneur Center at U. of I. will be named the Landuyt Center for Entrepreneurship in recognition of more than $20 million in cumulative contributions from Richard and Gayle Landuyt. In addition to funding the Landuyt Center programs and activities, the landmark investments fund the Landuyt Center director position and previously endowed the first joint professorship between Grainger Engineering and Gies College of Business.

“The Landuyts’ support represents their steadfast belief and trust in our students, staff, faculty and alumni to inspire innovation that fundamentally changes the world, and changes it for the better,” said Charles L. Isbell, Jr., chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “We are incredibly grateful for their tremendous generosity.”

The Landuyt Center will maintain two physical presences, one on the Urbana-Champaign campus and a second space in downtown Chicago at the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI).  

“The Urbana-Champaign-to-Chicago corridor has become a serious innovation pipeline. With the Landuyts’ support we significantly grow the ecosystem at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and establish an even more powerful connection between the Illinois prairie and the Windy City’s thriving startup and corporate ecosystem,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering and vice chancellor of Chicago Strategic Partnerships for the U. of I. 

Photo Credit: Canaan Daniels, April 12, 2024

Richard Landuyt (’78, B.S., Electrical Engineering) is a serial entrepreneur who has bootstrapped and successfully sold three high technology companies during a 32-year period. He has served on several boards, mentored entrepreneurs and helped grow one of the largest angel investment networks in the southeastern U.S. 

“The job market has vastly changed for young professionals. Many students no longer take the traditional route from degree to job. They must be creative about their future and understand the value of collaboration. An entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills and expertise in business as well as their chosen field set them up for success. We’re excited to be part of their growth and see the effect of their solutions on the world,” Richard Landuyt said.

Gayle Landuyt (’78, B.S., Industrial Engineering) worked at Motorola for 25 years holding progressive leadership positions in supply chain management. She went on to an academic position at DePaul University where she taught in the MBA program and was the director of the Management Development Center. 

“Our Illinois educations have been fundamental to our careers and the successes we have enjoyed. We are committed to giving back to our alma mater and ensuring those opportunities exist and expand for future generations,” Gayle Landuyt said, adding, “The amazing entrepreneurial programs can make U. of I. the number one educational destination for budding entrepreneurs, sparking transformational ideas and global businesses that benefit humanity and spur economic development across the state of Illinois.”

Founded in 2000, the Technology Entrepreneur Center, now known as the Landuyt Center for Entrepreneurship, is a nationally recognized program with approximately 30 courses, one of the largest student venture competitions in the nation and programs open to U. of I. students across all majors. Pitchbook ranks the University of Illinois one of the top five public U.S. institutions for entrepreneurs thanks to its robust ecosystem which includes Enterprise Works, the Office of Technology Management, Illinois Ventures and the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship.