November 2015 Research Park Announcements
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UPCOMING RESEARCH PARK EVENTS
Tuesday, November 10, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Event: SBIR Workshop Series – SBIR Budgets
Location: EnterpriseWorks Conference Room 130
About the Event: Roland Garton, budget expert and President of Garton Consulting, will review the main points to consider when preparing budgets for NSF SBIR proposals. Topics include considerations for each budget category, indirect rates, safe rates, the budget explanation, and FastLane entry. Feel free to forward any questions ahead of time to Roland ([email protected]) to make sure they’re covered during the presentation. Lunch will be served. To register for this event, please click here.
Wednesday, November 11, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Event: 2015 Big Data Summit
Location: iHotel and Conference Center, Champaign
About the Event: The third annual Big Data Summit brings together thought leaders from the UIRP, industry, and academia for a highly interactive event to address big questions surrounding big data. Just as new information technologies and the Internet itself fundamentally transformed business and industrial competitiveness over the past 25 years, big data is posed to bring the next wave of innovation, productivity, and growth. The coupling of big data and advanced analytics has the potential to raise the efficiency and create value in almost all business sectors. Taking advantage of big data and advanced analytics enables companies to create new products and services, enhance existing ones, and invent entirely new business, models. We have more than 60 companies participating and 400 registered participants. If you have not registered and would like to attend, please come after lunch for walk-in attendance. For more information, please check out the Big Data Event page on the Research Park website.
Thurssday, November 12, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Event: Celebrate Diwali
Location: EnterpriseWorks Atrium
About the Event: Join us as we celebrate the five-day festival of Diwali with lunch catered by Sitara in the EnterpriseWorks atrium. Please note, lunch is on a first come – first serve basis.
Monday, November 16, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event: Lean 101 with IMEC
Location: EnterpriseWorks
About the Event: This interactive workshop combines comprehensive classroom instruction with simulation of a production facility. The basic concepts of Lean manufacturing and the tools and methodology necessary to implement “lean” on the shop floor are demonstrated. Participants assume the role of production workers, applying lean tools to their individual workspaces and the entire product line. This learn-do technique, over four “shifts”, illustrates cause and effect relationships for each of the lean tools presented. Discounts are available to Research Park clients, for more information contact [email protected]. This workshop is full, but there is a waiting list.
Sponsor: IMEC and University of Illinois Research Park
Tuesday, November 17, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Event: After Hours/CU Tech Showcase
Location: Siebel Center, 201 N Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL
About the Event: Together with the Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments, the University of Illinois Research Park will host a networking event to showcase opportunities for tech jobs in Champaign-Urbana. Show off what tech projects are being done at your amazing company. We ask that companies arrive at 4:00pm. Food and Beverages will be served. If your company would like to participate, please RSVP at this form.
Wednesday, November 18, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Event: Pixo Usability Pop Up Lab Introduction
Location: EnterpriseWorks Conference Room 130
About the Event: Usability testing involves asking people to use a website or application and observing them while they perform tasks and “think-out-loud”. It produces actionable results in just a few minutes and takes the guesswork out of improving websites and apps. Join us as Pixo gives an introduction to its Popup Lab Workshop.
Sponsor: Pixo and EnterpriseWorks
Thursday, November 19, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Event: EW Chili Cookoff 2015
Location: EnterpriseWorks Atrium
About the Event: Do you think your chili tops the rest? Showcase your recipe at the Research Park Chili Cookoff! This event will consist of Research Park employees cooking their favorite chili recipe to be tasted and scored by a panel of 4 judges. Donations from this event will be directly donated to a local charity that focuses on STEM education for children. If you would like to enter your chili in the cookoff, please contact Jenny Kim ([email protected])*. *Each participant is responsible for his/her own crockpot with the minimum crockpot size being 2.5 quarts.
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, December 16, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Event: Research Park Holiday Party
Location: EnterpriseWorks Atrium
About the Event: Come celebrate the holiday season with us. All Research Park employees and their families are welcome.
January 22, 2016 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Event: 11th Annual Innovation Celebration
Location: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby
About the event: The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like. Nominations will be viewed and judged in early December 2015 by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced soon after.
To learn more about the event, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website. If you are interested in sponsoring the 2016 event, please email Liz Kellner ([email protected])
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 4:30 PM – 7 PM
Event: Research Park Career Fair
Location: iHotel and Conference Center
About the Event: The 10th annual Corporate Internships & Careers in the Research Park will be held on March 15th, 2016 at the i-Hotel and Conference Center at 1900 South First Street, Champaign. The Career Fair is a great way for students who are specifically interested in working in the Research Park to meet with employers, both startups and corporate operations. Students do not need to register for this event. For more information visit the Facebook event page.
RESEARCH PARK ANNOUNCEMENTS
Workforce Development Office Hours with Dana Cohen
Workforce Development Coordinator, Dana Cohen, will hold office hours for Research Park and EnterpriseWorks clients to come meet and discuss any workforce development needs. Topics include: Recruitment Strategies; Upcoming recruitment events; Job Description Reviews; Best Practices for Internships; Student Team Building Strategies. Starting Monday, November 2, Dana will be available in the EnterpriseWorks Atrium from 4-5 PM every Monday unless otherwise posted on the Research Park Events Calendar.
Laura Bleill Office Hours
Research Park associate director Laura Bleill will hold office hours for anyone interested in learning more about resources for entrepreneurs as well as a variety of other topics. Topics include: Entrepreneurial Resources at UIUC (I-Start, I-Corps, AWARE, etc), Media and PR, Social Media, Digital Media, pitch deck review, and many more. Starting Thursday, November 5, Laura will be available in the EnterpriseWorks Atrium from 4-5pm every Thursday unless otherwise posted on the Research Park Events Calendar
First and Windsor Construction: Carle Sports Medicine Building
Construction of the new Carle Orthopedics and Sports Medicine facility, a 52,000 square foot, two-story building, is underway at First and Windsor. The project will cost a total of $23 million; target completion of the facility is scheduled for early 2017.
Food Trucks
Caribbean Grill is the newest Food Truck to hit Research Park. You can expect to see them on Thursdays in the parking lot on the southeast corner of Hazelwood and Oak. You can stay up to date with the food truck schedule here, although please note that the schedule is subject to change without notice.
Thanksgiving Closures
EnterpriseWorks will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving, however tenants will still have access to the building as usual. The building will not be staffed on those days. If you are an EnterpriseWorks tenant or affiliate and your employees do not have after-hours access to the building, please contact facility manager Jim Wells at [email protected],
RESEARCH PARK IN THE NEWS
PhotoniCare Takes Second Place in PROPEL Competition
EnterpriseWorks tenant PhotoniCare won second prize in the the PROPEL Center of the iBIO 2015 Business Plan Competition on Oct. 29 in Chicago, which included a check for $2,500.
Ameren’s Mary Heger Named Leader in STEM, Touts Research Park Innovation Center
Ameren Vice President and CIO Mary Heger was named a leader in STEM by STEM Connector for her success within the company. In her essay for STEM Connector, Mary highlights how the University of Illinois and Research Park have helped Ameren to continue to excel and grow. Writes Mary Heger: “Since its opening, the Ameren Innovation Center has been collaborating with university students and faculty and other companies across multiple industries at the Research Park.”
The News-Gazette Features Inprentus Precision Optics’ Peter Abbamonte
The News-Gazette featured Inprentus Precision Optics’ CEO Peter Abbamonte as this week’s “high-tech difference maker”.
The News-Gazette Features Scott Daigle of IntelliWheels
The CEO of Intelliwheels, Scott Diagle, has been featured in the News-Gazette as a “high-tech difference maker”.
Fast Company Spotlights SNOOZ
Research Park affiliate, SNOOZ, has captured the attention of Fast Company. “It’s essentially a musical instrument that hums you to sleep.” – Snooz is unique in that the sound is produced by real fan technology, rather than a speaker and MP3. The machine runs on an LED bulb, making it ultra efficient. The user has the power to adjust the tone with a simple twist of the body. SNOOZ has far exceeded its $100K Kickstarter goal and is offering the portable white noise machine for preorder now at $59.
The News-Gazette Features Agrible’s Paul Miller
Agrible’s Chief Science Officer was featured in the News-Gazette as a “high-tech difference maker”.
Share the Vision Technology Showcase at the Research Park
The News-Gazette and Daily Illini profiled the Share the Vision technology showcare, one of the premier events in the Midwest linking investors and technology executives to innovative research and startups. The event was held at the iHotel and Conference Center as well as EnterpriseWorks on Oct. 8.
Smile Politely Highlights You’re Welcome CU
The You’re Welcome CU campaign continues to generate media buzz as it moves into its second month. Smile Politely, Champaign-Urbana’s online magazine, recently published a spotlight on You’re Welcome and highlighted some of the unique features that make Champaign-Urbana a hub for tech jobs and micro-urban living.
The Daily Illini Highlights You’re Welcome CU
You’re Welcome CU is officially underway, and the campaign continues to make headlines. The Daily Illini recently detailed the origins of the nationwide campaign to recruit the best tech minds to Champaign-Urbana, and highlighted its objectives.
NEW ENTERPRISEWORKS AFFILIATE
BioNanoConn LLC
BioNanoConn believes in the power and utility of the Nanodisc technology for membrane protein research and are dedicated to helping your mission of developing novel therapies and drug discovery platforms for membrane protein targets. In addition to MSP1D1 and MSP1E3D1 most commonly used versions of the membrane scaffold protein in literature you can also obtain MSPs with different tags and mutations to satisfy your special needs. Learn more at their website.
NEW RESEARCH PARK TENANT
Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab
Last month Capital One opened its Illinois Digital Campus Lab in Research Park, the company’s newest lab and the its first partnership with a university. The Lab will focus on research and experimentation in data science and data technologies as well as on infrastructure automation and use of the most modern programming frameworks and technologies such as Open Source, Big Data, Cloud, DevOps, among others. University of Illinois students, both undergraduate and graduate, will work year-round in the Lab. See the Chicago Tribune article or the Fox 55 27 Segment on the opening for more information.
CAMPUS EVENTS OF INTEREST
Friday, November 6, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Event: Illinois Women’s Leadership Conference
Location: Deloitte Auditorium in the BIF, 515 E Gregory Dr, Champaign
About the Event: Join us at the Illinois Women’s Leadership Conference: Identifying your Personal Brand. Hear from inspiring leaders who know how to stand apart from the crowd and establish names for themselves. Network with Illinois alumnae and others who have found their voice. Sponsored by the Illinois MBA program with keynote speakers and a speaker panel, followed by a networking reception in the BIF commons from 5:00-6:00 PM. Click here to find out more.
Friday, November 6, all day
Event: ECE LAUNCH Beyond
Location: the ECE Building, 306 N. Wright St., Urbana
Throughout 2015, ECE LAUNCH has celebrated electrical and computer engineering at Illinois. It will culminate with a celebration called LAUNCH Beyond, scheduled all day Friday, Nov. 6, in the ECE Building on the Illinois campus. LAUNCH Beyond will feature a variety of leading alumni and friends, including a keynote speech in the morning, panels throughout the day on a variety of important topics, and a dinner that evening. For a full schedule of events and registration, visit the event website.
Wednesday, November 11, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Event: SocialFuse Cozad Kickoff
Location: Business Instructional Facility Atrium, 515 E Gregory, Champaign
About the event: SocialFuse is a recurring pitching and networking even that brings students, faculty, and community together from a variety of majors and backgrounds and fuses them through skills, ideas and entrepreneurial ambition. Attendees can pitch their startup ideas, find teammates, improve presentation skills and get feedback. The event begins with a round of short pitching and idea sharing followed by informal networking. This event is a great way for entrepreneurs to build well-rounded, multi-disciplinary teams to move ideas forward and create successful companies. Registration/RSVP is mandatory in order to pitch and is due Sunday, November 8. If you are interested, please register here: https://illinois.edu/fb/
Sponsors: Technology Entrepreneurship Center
Thursday, November 12, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Event: Professional Luncheon with SWE
Location: The Bread Company, 706 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana
About the Event: The Society of Women Engineers Illinois undergraduate section is hosting a professional luncheon on November 12th from 11:30am-12:30pm at the Bread Company on Goodwin in Urbana. This is the first professional luncheon of the year, and the goal is for professionals and alumni to meet new members in SWE and vice versa. For more information, contact Weronika Moskal ([email protected]).
Wednesday, November 18, 11:00 AM
Event: Visas, International Students and Starting a Company Workshop
Location: TBD
About the Event: Come hear from Jenifer M. Brown, Partner at the law firm Ice Miller. Jenifer practices exclusively in the area of immigration law and represents and advises corporations,organizations, and colleges and universities in the filing of nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and the Departments of Labor and State. Submit questions and RSVP here.
Sponsors: Technology Entrepreneurship Center
January 22, 2016
Event: 11th Annual Innovation Celebration
Location: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby
About the event: The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like. Nominations will be viewed and judged in early December 2015 by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced soon after.
To learn more about the event, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website. If you are interested in sponsoring the 2016 event, please email Liz Kellner ([email protected])
February 3 and 4, 2016
Event: Spring 2016 Business Career Fair
Location: Activities and Recreation Center, Champaign
About the event: Meet top-notch students—and connect with potential candidates—at our Business Career Fairs. Registration opens in early November. More information: https://business.illinois.edu/
Sponsor: College of Business
February 19-21, 2016
Event: HackIllinois
Location: Siebel Center
About the event: The area’s largest collegiate hackathon. The adventure begins again. Join us February 19 – 21st, 2016 and explore new frontiers. To register or learn more about participating and sponsorships, visit www.hackillinois.org.
LOCAL/REGIONAL EVENTS OF INTEREST
ECI SCORE Writing a Business Plan Workshop
Date: Thursday, November 12
Time: 3:00 PM TO 5:00 PM
The Writing a Business Plan workshop provides help in creating a comprehensive business plan unique to your business. Course includes the rationale for completing a business plan, developing a financial analysis, and directions for securing financing. Examples of actual business plans are reviewed. A workbook is provided. Cost to attend is $25 per workshop and it will be at ECI SCORE: 303 W. Kirby Ave. Champaign. For more information or to register, log on to eci-score.org or call 217.359.1791. Email questions to [email protected].
ITA Internet of Things Summit 2015, Nov. 16-17, Chicago
This event will bring together luminaries from leading companies to discuss how this emerging landscape will and is changing the face of business as we know it. What is the roadmap to getting us there? How can companies position themselves to seize opportunities? For more information and to register, visit https://www.
FLC National Meeting, April 26 – April 28, 2016, Chicago
Hear from some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology transfer at the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer’s (FLC) 2016 national meeting, From Discovery to Commercialzation in Chicago, Illinois, April 26 – April 28, 2016. With a membership of approximately 300 federal laboratories, research centers and parent agencies, the FLC is responsible for implementing federal technology transfer and working to ensure that the knowledge, facilities, and/or capabilities developed under federal research and development funding are utilized to fulfill public and private needs. More info: http://www.cvent.com/events/
COMPETITIONS OF INTEREST
Illinois Small Business Development Center InnovateHER
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is proud to host an initial round of the Small Business Administration’s InnovateHER Business Challenge, a $70,000 prize competition designed to unearth innovative products and services that help impact and empower the lives of women and families! The SBA is looking for innovative products and services that help impact and empower the lives of women and families. Contestants must develop a product or service that meets the following three Challenge criteria: Has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30%);Has the potential for commercialization (40%); and Fills a need in the marketplace (30%). Learn more and apply at the SBDC website or http://www.cusbdc.
AUTM 2016 Venture Forum Business Plan Competition
Deadline for applications is November 30, 2015. Compete with academic and research institution-affiliated startup companies during the AUTM 2016 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
Eligibility Criteria:
· The startup must be a legally existing company and have a license or option-to-license with a research institution (university, research hospital, research institute, government laboratory), and the obligated technology must comprise an integral part of the startup’s business focus. Note: There is no territorial limitation on the company’s location.
· The startup does not need to have received prior professional investment but must be actively seeking funding. Note: Startups that have already received (i) a Series A round, (ii) in excess of $2 million in private investments, or (iii) significant sales revenue in 2015 or before are too advanced and not eligible for this competition.
· A manager/executive must present the venture pitch, not an inventor/scientist.
Learn more and apply at http://autmventure2016.
Clean Energy Trust Challenge 2016 Accepting Applications
The Clean Energy Trust Challenge is a nationally recognized accelerator program and the largest single-day clean energy pitch competition in the nation. The Challenge has jumpstarted more than 60 startups in the Midwest to date, including the 2014 winner from EnterpriseWorks, EP Purification. The Clean Energy Challenge event is the premiere cleantech networking event in Chicago. Over 400 entrepreneurs, investors, business executives, students, and university faculty attend each year. The event combines a business plan competition with presentations by leading clean energy thinkers and doers.http://cleanenergytrust.
SBIR and STTR Announcements
Experienced SBIR professionals have all been contracted by EnterpriseWorks to assist companies with SBIR and STTR applications with free consulting services to East Central Illinois applicants. Request technical assistance at: http://researchpark.
DOT SBIR 2016
Release Date: 10-14-2015; Due Date: 12-16-2015
www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir
Topics:
External Lighting Enhancements to Reduce Bird Strike Events
Technological Enhancements to Improve and Expand Casual Carpooling Systems
Connected Bicycle: Communicating with Vehicles and Infrastructure
Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection Devices for Transit Buses
NOAA FY 2016 SBIR Solicitation
Release Date: October 20, 2015
Application Due Date: January 14, 2016
For a complete list of open solicitations go to: https://www.sbir.gov/