June 2024

Team Members

Gerald Wilson

Gerald Wilson Director of Entrepreneurship Email : gwilson@illinois.edu  Phone: 217-300-5745 Dr. Gerald Wilson, inaugural Director of Entrepreneurship at EnterpriseWorks and the University of Illinois Research Park. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of a vision and infrastructure to establish and accelerate a cross-campus culture of entrepreneurship that spans research institutes, colleges, and departments. His focus includes anticipating mechanisms to secure and grow entrepreneurship programs and resources to assist ecosystem members with company creation, funding, management, and growth beyond the incubation phase. Dr. Wilson leads the staff in supporting entrepreneurship programming and business development of clients of the EnterpriseWorks incubator at the University of Illinois Research Park, which provides technology commercialization support for researchers and entrepreneurs, supports new venture creation, and catalyzes promising startup companies. Prior to joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Wilson was President and CEO of Autonomic Materials, Inc. (AMI), an advanced materials company based in Champaign, IL. AMI commercialized technology developed at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science, and is a graduate of the EnterpriseWorks incubator. As CEO, he led the development of the company’s AMP-UPTM protective coatings product lines aimed at eliminating traditional tradeoffs between high performance corrosion protection and environmental responsibility. The company’s technology platform was recognized as the Materials Performance Corrosion Innovation of the Year by NACE International (now AMPP), the Worldwide Authority on corrosion and as a Solar Impulse Efficient Solution. For over two decades, Dr. Wilson has worked on developing new chemistries for self-healing coating, adhesive, sealant, composite, and biomedical applications. He has authored or co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings and invited lectures in a variety of professional national and international forums and is an inventor on over 30 issued and pending patents. Dr. Wilson is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Technology Entrepreneur Center in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a leadership coach and workshop facilitator for the Illinois Leadership Center. He earned a BA in Chemistry from Macalester College, a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Team Members

Dustin Mayfield-Jones

Dustin Mayfield-Jones Laboratory and Facilities Manager Email : dustinm2@illinois.eduPhone : 217-300-5803 Dustin Mayfield-Jones joined the team in May 2024 as the Laboratory and Facilities Manager at EnterpriseWorks. His role includes management of operational functions of the EnterpriseWorks technology and business incubator building, laboratory services, shared facilities, and MakerSpace. He is passionate about helping deep tech startup clients with their tenant service needs during critical periods of the incubation phase. Dustin is also responsible for safety and equipment operations and assists with general administration. Dustin is an alumnus of the University of Illinois and the Graduate College’s Illinois Distinguished Fellowship program. He was laboratory manager and safety officer of a former startup tenant at EnterpriseWorks and has more than 15 years of experience in scientific research. Dustin completed his master’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia after earning his bachelor’s degree in biology at Truman State University. Prior to joining the University of Illinois, Dustin actively participated in the Saint Louis maker and tech startup communities. Dustin was a member of The Maker Group, Arch Reactor, TechShop, and co-founder of HAB.education, a STEAM education organization that partnered internationally to teach and inspire children using high altitude balloons. His formative experience making, managing, and pitching tech with others in these communities via GatewayVMS, VentureCafe, and 3DayStartup continues to frame his philosophy of innovation and entrepreneurship and informs his understanding of client needs. Dustin enjoys spending time with his spouse breeding and showing Great Danes from 7Sisters farm with the Illini Great Dane Club, flying airplanes with EnginAires, technical scuba diving, and fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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Team Members

Cynthia Faullin

Cynthia Faullin Associate Director of Operations Email: cfaullin@illinois.eduPhone : 217-300-5803  Cynthia Faullin brings more than 10 years of intensive experience working with deep tech startups to her role as Associate Director of Operations at the EnterpriseWorks incubator in Research Park. She serves as the primary touchpoint for EnterpriseWorks tenants and affiliated entrepreneurs, ensuring that the facility meets the needs of its entrepreneurs and startups, both physical and programmatic. She is responsible for overseeing leasing and property management for the building and its grounds. Faullin first joined EnterpriseWorks in 2014. She is well known for her customer-centric, engaging approach to everyone from accomplished CEOs to the entrepreneurial curious alike. From 2021-23 Faullin was the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois-Chicago. There, she oversaw the Technology Innovation Lab which provides laboratory and office space to University of Illinois: Chicago early-stage startups as well as programming and consulting for entrepreneurs who are commercializing research-based technologies. Cynthia also has experience in commercial real estate and development in downtown Champaign. She previously worked on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in undergraduate academic affairs and career services. Cynthia is a proud Canadian, and has Bachelor degrees in English Literature and Women’s Studies from Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario.

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Team Members

Cathy McArthur

Cathy McArthur Assistant Director of Programming Email:mcarthur@illinois.eduPhone : 217-637-0968  Cathy McArthur coordinates a rigorous schedule of more than 200 events a year, focusing on the community building efforts of the Research Park. Cathy joined the EnterpriseWorks team in November 2017, bringing almost 30 years of experience in event programming, planning and promotion. Previously, Cathy was the Director of Sales and Marketing at the iHotel & Conference Center in the Research Park, and served as the Director of the Workforce Development Board of East Central Illinois. She has lived in the community for over 40 years. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Business and has served on a number of local boards including the Crisis Nursery, C-U Schools Foundation, Champaign PTA Council and Champaign County Freedom Celebration. Cathy lives with her three children in Savoy and enjoys traveling, reading, photography and gourmet cooking.

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Team Members

Bryan Goode

Bryan Goode Talent Manager Email: bdgoode@illinois.eduPhone : 217-333-1542  Bryan Goode leads the workforce development and recruitment programs for Research Park and client companies. He oversees the coordinated recruitment activities of Research Park for student and full time talent which includes online promotion of positions, interfacing with job seekers, planning programming for recruitment events, and guiding talent strategy and development. Bryan is new to the team but brings a strong background in professional recruitment in the private sector with a focus on technology and hiring strategy as well as a programmatic approach to talent development and pipelining. Complementing his recruiting background is a history of property management, and theatrical performance administration and direction. In his free time, Bryan enjoys working with local community theatres, taking a walk or hike with his dog Rocky, and is always seeking the next opportunity to learn something new.

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Community EnterpriseWorks Events Investments Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards

Nine Cozad New Venture Challenge Teams Receive Awards from EnterpriseWorks

EnterpriseWorks and Research Park awarded the Student Startup Tenancy Prize to nine teams that competed in the 2024 Cozad New Venture Challenge. This prize, which was awarded to Pathlit, AVEA Robotics, Radiant Looms, AminoSense, ClimeCast, Provenance Security, SeriesFarm, Terravate Energy, and Med Terms, includes access to co-working space, conference rooms, common areas, support services, and entrepreneur assistance. Provenance Security and SeriesFarm received the Catapult Award of $5,000 to be used for startup professional services. ClimeCast, which joined EnterpriseWorks as a tenant earlier in the year, also won third place with a $25,000 investment. ClimeCast uses AI to optimize decarbonization strategy for commercial real estate. ClimeCast also won the Dr. Paul Magelli Innovation Award, Best Pitch at Finals, as well as the Student Startup Tenancy Prize. Cozad New Venture Challenge (CNVC) is a campus-wide program run by the Technology Entrepreneur Center that provides mentoring to teams through the phases of venture creation, and resources in idea validation, pitching skills, and customer development. Between the 200 registered teams, 11 campus colleges and 85 majors were represented. The 2024 CNVC kicked off with registration and kickoff events in January and continued throughout the spring semester with workshops, mentorship opportunities, and training for over 500 undergraduate and graduate students. Between the 200 registered teams, 11 campus colleges and 85 majors were represented. The Demo Day on Thursday, April 11, was held at the Illinois Conference Center and featured several members of EnterpriseWorks and Research Park judging student work. The program concluded on Wednesday, April 24, with a Year-End Celebration and Awards Ceremony at the Campus Instructional Facility. Past participants of the program include EnterpriseWorks graduates Cast21, DeepWalk, Mesh++, Prenosis, Psyonic, and Serionix, in addition to EnterpriseWorks startups Natrion and ZiteAI.

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EnterpriseWorks Tenants Resources

FAST Center at Illinois

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbXVmZvF9Po The FAST (Federal and State Technology) Partnership Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign led by EnterpriseWorks, provides free resources, support, and expertise necessary to submit a highly competitive SBIR/STTR funding proposal. Together, we have helped companies acquire millions of dollars in federal SBIR/STTR funding – at no cost whatsoever to them. Up to 25% of all State of Illinois SBIR/STTR funding is awarded annually to the companies or graduates of EnterpriseWorks in Research Park. Resources Office Hours Request Assistance SBIR/STTR FAQs Learn More Upcoming Events View Calendar Join the FAST Center Email List Stay up to date with the latest happenings Subscribe One-on-One Technical Assistance Entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors throughout the State of Illinois can apply for one-on-one technical assistance. This includes assistance with more complex SBIR/STTR questions such as insight, guidance, or strategy for selecting an agency or solicitation, review and feedback of proposal drafts, and help with proposal budgets and application process. A limited number of hours are available for per business, per proposal for 1:1 technical assistance and are subject to availability of program funding. Roland Garton, Garton Consulting Services Anna Lisa Somera, ALS Consulting Kris Parmelee, Parmelee Consulting Group Heidi Platt, Platinum Grants & Proposals Roland Garton is President and Lead Consultant of Garton Consulting Services, Inc. He has over four decades of experience with grant development, government contracting, program and project management, training and documentation, and program administration. Roland has written or advised on scores of SBIR proposals worth several million dollars to 9 of the 11 federal SBIR-granting agencies. He has also managed several projects resulting from successful SBIR proposals. In addition, he has set up bookkeeping and timekeeping systems for many SBIR recipients, prepared invoices and Incurred Cost Proposals, and helped navigate multiple companies through federal audits, many of them conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Anna Lisa is an experienced medical device consultant, venture capitalist, intellectual property analyst, technology transfer specialist, biomedical researcher, and entrepreneur specializing in early-stage, cutting-edge technology businesses. She has been part of the entrepreneurial community in Illinois for 14 years and has helped drive the formation and raised angel and venture funding for several startup companies while also serving as top management for many of the ventures. Somera’s advising adds up to over thirty million dollars in grants to date, mostly for Illinois companies. Her multi-disciplinary academic preparation in business, public health, and cell biology, along with her strong ties to the University of Illinois, has aided in her success in the entrepreneurial community. Additionally, Somera serves as an SBIR/STTR grant consultant at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Argonne National Laboratory. Kristen (Kris) Parmelee is a proud graduate of Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). She started her career at an Indianapolis-based nonprofit in program development and management. After gaining initial experience in fund raising, Kris launched her own venture in 2000 with a focus on private foundation and federal grants. In 2005, she expanded her experience to include SBIR/STTR and for the past five years, has focused almost exclusively on SBIR/STTR and project management services. Heidi Platt is the Founder and President of Platinum Grants & Proposals. With a Chemical Engineering degree from Purdue University, she has gained more than 15 years of engineering and project leadership experience. Heidi has written and assisted with many winning government proposals and has had the responsibility of managing government contracts. Before founding Platinum Grants & Proposals, Heidi was the Director of the Proposal Assistance Program at high tech engineering firm Techshot where she assisted businesses with the development of federal and state proposals by providing outlines, guidance, reviews, and technical analysis. One of her main roles was to teach clients the process of preparing and submitting an SBIR/STTR proposal. Heidi also served as Techshot’s project engineer. Through this role, she developed SBIR proposals and managed multiple research and development contracts with NASA. Roland Garton is President and Lead Consultant of Garton Consulting Services, Inc. He has over four decades of experience with grant development, government contracting, program and project management, training and documentation, and program administration. Roland has written or advised on scores of SBIR proposals worth several million dollars to 9 of the 11 federal SBIR-granting agencies. He has also managed several projects resulting from successful SBIR proposals. In addition, he has set up bookkeeping and timekeeping systems for many SBIR recipients, prepared invoices and Incurred Cost Proposals, and helped navigate multiple companies through federal audits, many of them conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Anna Lisa is an experienced medical device consultant, venture capitalist, intellectual property analyst, technology transfer specialist, biomedical researcher, and entrepreneur specializing in early-stage, cutting-edge technology businesses. She has been part of the entrepreneurial community in Illinois for 14 years and has helped drive the formation and raised angel and venture funding for several startup companies while also serving as top management for many of the ventures. Somera’s advising adds up to over thirty million dollars in grants to date, mostly for Illinois companies. Her multi-disciplinary academic preparation in business, public health, and cell biology, along with her strong ties to the University of Illinois, has aided in her success in the entrepreneurial community. Additionally, Somera serves as an SBIR/STTR grant consultant at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Argonne National Laboratory. Kristen (Kris) Parmelee is a proud graduate of Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). She started her career at an Indianapolis-based nonprofit in program development and management. After gaining initial experience in fund raising, Kris launched her own venture in 2000 with a focus on private foundation and federal grants. In 2005, she expanded her experience to include SBIR/STTR and for the past five years, has focused almost exclusively on SBIR/STTR and project management services. Heidi Platt is the Founder and President of Platinum Grants & Proposals. With a Chemical Engineering degree from Purdue University, she has gained more than 15 years of engineering and project leadership experience. Heidi has written and assisted with many winning government proposals and has had the responsibility of managing government contracts. Before founding Platinum Grants & Proposals, Heidi was

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1900 S. First St. Other Tenant Directory

I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center

I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center info@stayatthei.com 217-819-5000 1900 S. First St. Champaign, IL The I Hotel is a contemporary-designed four-star property featuring 125 luxurious hotel room accommodations in Champaign, Illinois. The I Hotel and Conference Center is located on the south campus of the University of Illinois in the heart of the Research Park. The adjoining 38,000 square-foot state-of-the-art Illinois Conference Center features twelve conference rooms, including two large ballrooms and ten meeting rooms. stayatthei.com The I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center at Research Park iHotel Green Roof Installed; More Green Roofs Could Be on the Way for Research Park Connect with the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center Facebook.com/ihotel/ Linkedin.com/company/i-hotel-and-conference-center/ Twitter.com/ihotel

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EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

HabiTerre Achieves Third Party Model Validation with Climate Action Reserve

EnterpriseWorks startup HabiTerre‘s model for quantification of agricultural greenhouse gas sinks and sources was approved by the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) under their Soil Enrichment Protocol (SEP). This model is used as part of HabiTerre‘s advanced system-of-systems modeling approach. It comprehensively models the interplay of energy, water, carbon, and nutrient cycles in aboveground and belowground environments. HabiTerre has adapted and maintained a scalable version of ecosys to support the quantification of greenhouse gas and soil carbon outcomes from agricultural practices. The Climate Action Reserve is the most trusted, efficient and experienced offset registry for global carbon markets. CAR establishes rigorous standards to support and promote climate change solutions that benefit economies, ecosystems and society. “This milestone is just one of many more to come from the team at HabiTerre, where we are fully dedicated to supporting scalable and efficient solutions to drive maximum impact and value to farmers, paving the way for high-quality environmental market opportunities,” said Nick Reinke, CEO of HabiTerre. HabiTerre is a farming financial risk modeling company. The HabiTerre team is dedicated to making the world a better and more habitable place by advancing sustainable agriculture and land stewardship with a holistic systems approach to farm productivity and resource use efficiency. Learn more about CAR and this milestone on the HabiTerre website.

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2109 S. Oak St. Agricultural Science

MicroMGX

MicroMGX j-kloeber@micromgx.com 2109 S. Oak St MicroMGx’s goal is to create the most extensive library of natural products using a robust discovery platform. This library will aid in advancing new chemical compounds into early-stage pharmaceutical testing. The company’s mission is to accelerate the discovery of new chemistry from nature that can enrich and extend human life. micromgx.com MicroMGx at Research Park MicroMGx Grand Opening Media Gallery iFAB Tech Hub catalyzes ‘agricultural biologicals’ innovations through growing partnerships

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