AVEA Robotics’ mission is to simplify the way robotics is used. The company is building a suite of autonomous and collaborative floor-cleaning robots to combat the worsening short-staffing issues in the custodial services industry in mid-sized commercial buildings. avearobotics.com Avea Robotics at Research Park Avea Robotics announced as a College New Venture Challenge (CNVC) finalist
Prenosis, EnterpriseWorks startup graduate, has earned a place on TIME’s Best Inventions of the Year list for its innovative Sepsis ImmunoScore. Sepsis ImmunoScore is an AI diagnostic tool transforming sepsis care—a critical need in U.S. hospitals, where nearly 1.7 million patients are affected annually. The system analyzes 22 health metrics, including vital signs and blood measurements, to provide a rapid sepsis risk score, helping doctors diagnose and predict severe cases within 24 hours. “The Sepsis ImmunoScore is setting a new standard of proactive sepsis care—where faster and more accurate prediction and diagnosis is essential to saving lives,” CEO and co-founder Bobby Reddy Jr. said in a press release. “We are honored to be recognized by TIME for the potential of our work to improve patient outcomes and to bring precision medicine to acute care.” Reddy was also recently honored as one of Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40, a recognition given to executives, founders, creators, and strategists driving change and innovation in the Chicago area. Prenosis was an EnterpriseWorks tenant from 2017 to 2018. Founder Rashid Bashir, Dean of Grainger College of Engineering and Research Park Board of Managers member, developed these technologies with his research group in the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, along with Bobby Reddy Jr. While at the Research Park, the Prenosis team earned a second-place prize in the 14th Annual Dale V. Cozad New Venture Competition. For more information, visit the Prenosis website
EnterpiseWorks Graduate Prenosis Earns Spot on TIME’s Best Inventions List Read Post »
EnterpriseWorks startup Cache Energy has expanded its operations into a 10,000-square-foot warehouse at 301 E. Mercury Drive in north Champaign. The new facility will serve as a dedicated manufacturing warehouse, where Cache will build its limestone-based long-term energy storage from scratch, including mechanical and electrical components. Currently, the company can produce one ton of energy storage material per hour, and it plans to expand further in the coming months. “The whole purpose of getting this warehouse was expanding our manufacturing and making Champaign-Urbana the hub in the Midwest region where we manufacture and ship around our products,”Arpit Dwivedi, founder and CEO, said. With this expansion, Dwivedi anticipates creating 20 to 25 new jobs in the Champaign-Urbana area. Cache Energy develops safe-to-install and transportable long-duration energy storage solutions utilizing technology inspired by thermal power plants, allowing an easier transition to clean energy. Its scalable, cost-effective storage can support the shift to renewable energy by storing grid electricity and capturing biogas energy from wastewater treatment plants and landfills, which would otherwise go to waste.
Cache Energy expands with new manufacturing hub in Champaign Read Post »
CHAMPAIGN — In response to dynamic market conditions, the University of Illinois Research Park filed a rezoning application with the City of Champaign to reclassify two properties currently zoned CO, Commercial Office to the I1, Light Industrial. The City of Champaign’s Plan Commission will meet on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. to approve the request and forward it to the City Council. This reclassification will position UIRP to meet evolving industry needs through future land development, Research Park Executive Director Laura Appenzeller told The (Champaign) News-Gazette. “We want to be able to have the right type of development for our future to respond to both business attractions that is interested in being part of our tech community here in Champaign-Urbana, but also to be able to support our entrepreneurs,” she said. The rezoning request covers two development parcels within the Research Park, encompassing areas east and west of Fourth Street between Hazelwood Drive and Gerty Drive. “Most of the growth of the research park has been office space and we are seeing a growth of new types of industries,” Appenzeller said. “And increasingly, these small businesses that we’re working with are looking to scale technologies to get closer to manufacturing.” The rezoning will enable the Research Park to support startups transitioning from incubator spaces to small-scale manufacturing and remove competitive disadvantages to attract new companies. “It does allow us to be more conducive to flexible users that might be in these new emerging technology areas,” Appenzeller said. “When you’re in multi-state competitions, you’re always trying to make sure that you’re prepared, and that was what led to this.” At the public hearing on Nov. 20, the commission will then forward its recommendation to the City Council, The City Council is tentatively scheduled to take final action on this rezoning at its Dec. 3 meeting.
Research Park Seeks Rezoning to Meet Industry Needs and Capabilities Read Post »
CHAMPAIGN — Laura Appenzeller, executive director of the University of Illinois Research Park, has been named to the leadership team of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Appenzeller will serve as Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer for the first-of-its-kind project, while retaining her position with the Research Park as Executive Director. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is connected to IQMP through its leadership team, researchers in quantum science and role in supporting the newly formed IQMP LLC. Harley Johnson, a Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering, is serving as Director and CEO of the IQMP. Brian DeMarco, the IQMP’s Associate Director and Chief Technology Officer, is a professor in the U. of I. physics department and Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) housed in the Grainger College of Engineering. His research team has advanced the frontier of quantum science for over 20 years. “The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will bring innovation, job creation, and economic development to the South Side of Chicago and extend across every corner of our state. I’m thrilled to see such talented individuals step into leadership roles that will guide the day-to-day operations of the campus,” said Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chair of the IQMP’s Board of Managers and chairman/CEO of Milhouse Engineering & Construction and a former member of the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. A separate company of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, IQMP’s governance structure utilizes Research Park’s model as a foundation and developed in the same spirit as a dynamic public-private partnership. While Appenzeller will leverage her extensive experience in advancing complex organizations encompassing federal, state, university and private sector partners for IQMP, she remains rooted in her role at UIRP. “I have full confidence in the Research Park team to handle day-to-day management and provide excellent customer service, while also advancing our strategic direction,” Appenzeller said. “This symbiotic relationship will result in long-term impact on both campuses.” IQMP will support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers and other partners working to facilitate the development of quantum technologies, and will build on historic investments by Governor Pritzker and the state to further establish Illinois as a global hub for this emerging technology. Read more on WCIA’s website, or on the Crain’s Chicago Business website.
Research Park Executive Director Laura Appenzeller Named to IQMP Leadership Team Read Post »
EnterpriseWorks startup Cache Energy has expanded its operations into a warehouse at 301 E. Mercury Drive in north Champaign. The new addition will act as a manufacturing warehouse where Cache will build its long-term energy storage from scratch, including assembling mechanical and electrical components of its limestone-based energy storage. Currently, the company can produce one Ton an hour. Cache also plans to expand to more locations, including potential manufacturing facilities beyond Illinois, although focusing on Champaign-Urbana as its central hub. “The whole purpose of getting this warehouse was expanding our manufacturing and making Champaign-Urbana the hub in the Midwest region where we manufacture and ship around our products,” said Arpit Dwivedi, founder and CEO of Cache Energy. With the expansion, Dwivedi anticipates creating 20 to 25 new jobs in Champaign, seeking passionate individuals willing to contribute to a project with global impact.
EnterpriseWorks Graduate Network Perception Acquired by Dragos Read Post »
Fire At Five October 2024 The “Fire At Five” Happy Hour and Bonfire is an event open to Research Park employees and their families and friends. The October Fire At Five, “Murder Mystery” was on Thursday, October 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Atkins Building Patio and lawn. To learn about more events at Research Park, visit the events page, and to see previous Fire At Five themes, visit the Fire At Five page.
Fire At Five October 2024 Read Post »
Inaugural Founders Week at Research Park Celebrates Illinois Entrepreneurship CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (October 21, 2024) – The inaugural Founders Week, held Oct. 17-19 at Research Park, was an inspiring celebration of innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Entrepreneurship is a team sport,” said EnterpriseWorks Director of Entrepreneurship Gerald Wilson. “Founders Week is a recognition that we are all co-founders of the future of Illini Entrepreneurship.” Wilson was a key proponent in organizing the event, working closely with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Illinois Ventures, the Technology Entrepreneur Center, and more partners across campus. Founders Week highlighted the university’s role in fostering groundbreaking ventures, which consistently ranks in the top five nationally for number of companies founded, founders, and capital raised. The event brought together founders, Illini Angels, active investors, ecosystem leaders, faculty, and students interested in entrepreneurship. View the event booklet for more event highlights and relevant resources Thursday, October 17 The Founders Week celebration kicked off with a Summit on Capitalizing New Ventures on Thursday, Oct. 17. Speakers led discussions on capital formation, attraction, and allocation to fund companies. The Summit was followed by a Founders Sandbox at, including a pitch workshop. Simultaneously, a campus tour took attendees through spaces on campus that are inventing the future, including the Institute of Genomic Biology, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab, and EnterpriseWorks. That evening, the first “live” TechRise pitch competition in central Illinois invited historically underrepresented founders to compete for a $25,000 cash prize. Finalists included. Finalist: Oscar Azofeifa, PowerBox Technology, CEO Finalist: Aryan Indarapu, AVEA Robotics, CEO Finalist: Shrikar Lekkala, MetaFrazo, CEO & Founder Finalist: Ohm Vyas, ShotHawk, Co-Founder Winner: Tessabella Magliochetti, AmnioAlert, President & Co-Founder Thursday’s events concluded with EnterpriseWorks’ 20th Anniversary Homecoming Dinner. Friday, October 18 On Friday morning, Illini Angels held its meeting to foster community for experienced entrepreneurs and investors who invest in and mentor Illini founders. If you are interested in learning more about or joining this group, contact Paul Magelli. Later that morning, the Founders Technology Showcase began. This all-day event included panels, fireside chats, and more highlighting the hottest technologies being spun out of university research labs. Following the Founders Technology Showcase, a networking reception and startup expo allowed participants to meet more companies and turn Illini pride into a connected community Saturday, October 19 The final day of Founders Week included an Illinois Football Tailgate at EnterpriseWorks preceding the Illinois football game against Michigan at 2:30 p.m. Find more event photography in the Founders Week media gallery.
Inaugural Founders Week at Research Park Celebrates Illinois Entrepreneurship Read Post »
Founders Week 2024 Research Park hosted its inaugural Founders Week celebration from October 17-19, 2024. This event celebrated our collective achievements in entrepreneurship, highlighting innovative ecosystems that foster groundbreaking ventures, empower countless entrepreneurs, and define the future of Illini Entrepreneurship. Participants included Illini Angels (alumni in angel investing and venture capital), angel groups, investors actively supporting startups in Illinois, entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders, faculty, and students interested in entrepreneurship.
Founders Week 2024 Read Post »
Illinois Ventures, an EnterpriseWorks tenant and the venture capital arm of the U of I System, recently unveiled a new fund, the Deep Tech Strategic Fund. The organization is focused on helping students achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and has previously supported Research Park companies including DeepWalk, EarthSense, Natrion, PSYONIC, and more. The Deep Tech Strategic Fund is Illinois Ventures’ largest fund to date, consisting of $48 million from investors including the University of Illinois, Carle Health, and the University of Illinois Foundation. The fund, which targets the next wave of startups, is designed to fuel ideas that come from the University of Illinois ecosystem and is a testament to Illinois Ventures’ commitment to push the boundaries of innovation. Learn more about this investment fund on the Illinois Ventures website, Crain’s Chicago Business website, or connect with Illinois Ventures on LinkedIn.
Illinois Ventures unveils Deep Tech Strategic Fund Read Post »
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