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Key people at EntreCORPS.
Founded in 2013 by Dr. Paul Magelli, EntreCORPS is a student-led consulting firm based in Champaign, Illinois, providing pro-bono growth and innovation strategy services to startups and early-stage ventures. Operating with 51 to 100 student consultants from the University of Illinois, the organization generates an estimated $6.2 million in annual revenue with an approximate $20 million valuation. The firm utilizes design thinking methodologies to deliver research-backed solutions, having completed over 80 consulting projects across more than 20 distinct industries. EntreCORPS serves clients ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 innovation groups, maintaining strategic affiliations with the Gies College of Business and the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship. Current operations are managed by a student leadership team including Executive Director Henrik Weidemanis, Director of Finance Viraj Patel, Director of Internal Operations Eunice Chang, and Project Director Qi Tian.
EntreCorps is a student-led, pro-bono growth and innovation consulting firm based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business, operating under the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship. It recruits talented students from across campus to deliver research-backed, strategic solutions for startups and innovation teams, including early-stage ventures and Fortune 500 groups, having completed over 80 projects across more than 20 industries.[1][2] The firm's mission centers on providing high-impact entrepreneurial consulting while equipping students with real-world experience in research, analysis, leadership, and problem-solving, fostering a culture of adaptability and curiosity in the startup ecosystem.[1][2]
EntreCorps was founded by Dr. Paul Magelli as a focused initiative to channel student consulting toward early-stage startups at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. What began as a targeted effort has evolved into a vibrant "culture" of entrepreneurship, expanding from business development to include technical consulting for enhanced client and consultant experiences.[2] Key to its growth is selective recruitment from the university campus, collaboration with Gies Business faculty and staff, and ties to Origin Ventures—a venture capital firm known for early investments in companies like Grubhub—enabling students to engage in pro-bono projects that build professional networks and skills.[1][2]
EntreCorps rides the wave of university-driven entrepreneurship, bridging academia and startups by injecting fresh, low-cost talent into early-stage innovation—a critical need amid rising startup costs and talent shortages. Its timing aligns with booming campus ecosystems like UIUC's, where student initiatives fuel regional tech hubs, amplified by partnerships with VCs like Origin Ventures that have backed category-definers.[1] Market forces favoring pro-bono support for bootstrapped founders position it well, while it influences the ecosystem by upskilling future entrepreneurs—over 80 projects have directly shaped ventures across 20+ industries, creating a pipeline of adaptable talent that sustains startup momentum.[1][2]
EntreCorps is poised to scale its technical consulting arm and project volume, potentially expanding beyond UIUC through virtual models or alumni networks, as demand for agile, cost-effective startup support grows. Trends like AI-driven innovation and remote collaboration will shape its path, enabling deeper tech integrations and global reach. Its influence may evolve from local impact to a model for other universities, amplifying student contributions to high-growth tech while solidifying its role as a startup accelerator—proving that student ingenuity delivers founder-grade results.[1][2]
Key people at EntreCORPS.
