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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    2024

    News Research Park

    Synchrony Foundation and University of Illinois System help Chicago youth access higher education and tech skills training

    The Synchrony Emerging Technology Center at Research Park was recently profiled in an article by the Office of Corporate Relations at the University of Illinois. Synchrony, a leading consumer financial services company, is supporting a class of 125 local Chicago students who are gaining technology skills training as they attend the Pritzker Tech Talent Labs’ Digital Scholars program with the Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System. The Digital Scholars program is a free summer program for underrepresented high school students to build computing skills, increase college and career readiness, and make connections to Champaign and Chicago’s dynamic tech communities. This program helps link Chicago high school students to the University of Illinois and, through Synchrony, the Research Park, further developing a strong talent pipeline. Synchrony opened its Emerging Technology Center (ETC) in the Research Park in 2018 to focus on advancing Synchrony’s finance and technology capabilities. It focuses on developing students’ real-world skills in artificial intelligence, data science, human-centered design, and other emerging technologies. Exposing high school students to the work done at the ETC shows them the employment opportunities found in the Research Park, further developing their careers. This partnership between Synchrony and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign highlights the importance of investing in education and supporting students at the start and throughout their academic journeys. Read the article on the Corporate Relations website.

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    Community EnterpriseWorks Features Graduates News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EarthSense awarded patent for the use of AI-ML-based smart applications

    Research Park agtech startup EarthSense was awarded a patent from the United States Trade and Patent Office (USTPO) for the use of AI-ML-based smart application of treatments in plantations, orchards, vineyards, and other permanent cropping systems. This patent builds on EarthSense’s other patented innovations in robust autonomous navigation, multi-robot deployments, machine vision in challenging agricultural environments, and more. EarthSense is creating dramatic new possibilities for crop breeders, plant protection product developers, crop scientists, and field agronomists. The company joined EnterpriseWorks in 2016, where it operated until opening an office in the Atkins Building in 2021. EarthSense’s robots can work tirelessly and precisely around the clock in challenging environments. With edge-optimized AI, they will be deployed anywhere in the world without expensive communication infrastructure. This AI-enabled precise and intelligent application of fertilizers and chemicals will drive yield improvements and reduce environmental harm, leading to significant financial savings. For more information, visit the EarthSense website or connect with the company on LinkedIn.

    EarthSense awarded patent for the use of AI-ML-based smart applications Read Post »

    Community Features Investments Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    iFAB awarded $51 million grant to propel Central Illinois as a biomanufacturing leader

    The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub has been awarded approximately $51 million from the Tech Hubs Program through the Department of Commerce‘s Economic Development Administration. This funding enables the iFAB consortium to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, supporting national security, economic growth, and job generation. Led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. It was named an EDA Regional Innovation and Technology Hub in October 2023, opening the door to government support and funding. “Today’s EDA grant not only acknowledges but actively fuels our mission to establish Central Illinois as a pivotal biomanufacturing player on the global stage. With these new resources, we are equipped to accelerate our initiatives, ensuring that our region not only meets but sets the gold standard for biomanufacturing innovation,” said U. of I. Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “This partnership exemplifies how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can leverage its expertise and resources to fuel progress and prosperity right in our backyard.” iFAB’s 30+ partners include the University of Illinois Research Park and others from industry, higher education, trades, workforce development agencies, agribusiness, and producers. Two of the private sector partners, ADM and Boston Bioprocess, have operations at Research Park. Gener8tor, the leader of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator, is also involved with iFAB. The iFAB leadership team includes Laura Appenzeller from the University of Illinois Research Park along with representatives from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging this funding alongside regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will continue to provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators. To learn more, visit the iFAB website.

    iFAB awarded $51 million grant to propel Central Illinois as a biomanufacturing leader Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Features Media Mentions News

    Zite AI featured on WCIA News in how its technology is helping the medical industry

    EnterpriseWorks startup Zite AI was featured in a recent WCIA news story about how artificial intelligence is helping the medical industry. Founded by brothers Joshua and Jacob Love in 2022, Zite AI uses artificial intelligence to empower informed decision-making for healthcare organizations. While the company was initially founded to revolutionize location consulting, it pivoted to create a suite of tools that empowers heathcare organizations in marketing outreach, operational planning, and facilities planning. Zite AI is well integrated into the EnterpriseWorks and University of Illinois ecosystem, with co-founder Joshua Love currently studying as a PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Zite AI is changing healthcare systems which have traditionally relied on more old-fashioned forms of technology. “We’ve kind of come across this huge problem where a lot of the back office, the sort of strategic side of medicine, making sure people get access to care at all, is something that can really improve with more data and more understanding of what’s going on in the communities,” Jacob said in the interview with WCIA. The company’s programming can analyze medical images, identifying early signs of conditions like cancer and heart disease well before they are visible to the human eye. Read more or watch the news story on the WCIA website.

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    Social Events

    Fire At Five June 2024

    Fire At Five June 2024 The “Fire At Five” Happy Hour and Bonfire is an event open to Research Park employees and their families and friends. The June Fire At Five, “Pride and Pets at the Park” was on Thursday, June 27 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Atkins 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.

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    Intern Events Social Events

    Research Park Hackathon 2024

    Research Park Hackathon 2024 The 2024 Research Park Hackathon took place on Wednesday, June 26, and was Bring Your Own Data-themed. Teams had fifteen hours to create a project that seamlessly integrated data in an innovative way. Finalists presented their projects to a panel of judges on Thursday, June 27, and winners were announced at Fire At Five later that evening. Congratulations to Capital One‘s “Class Connect” for winning first place! To learn about the Research Park Hackathon, visit its website page.

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    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    Capital One, COUNTRY Financial Capture Top Prizes in Research Park Hackathon

    Twelve teams of 69 total student interns competed in the second annual Research Park Hackathon on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. This 15-hour hackathon encouraged students to form cross-functional teams, build solutions, and showcase their projects. Winners for six awards were announced at the “Fire At Five” Happy Hour on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Hackathon:  1st Place: Capital One, “Class Connect” 2nd Place: EnterpriseWorks/AbbVie/John Deere, “Wandertunes” 3rd Place: Kohler, “Refugee Haven Search”  Notable Innovation: EnterpriseWorks/AbbVie/John Deere, “Wandertunes” Seamless Integration: Capital One, “Class Connect” Skillful Execution: COUNTRY Financial, “GeoGroove” The winning project, “Class Connect,” is a browser extension that enhances learning by providing questions and answers for students watching lecture videos. “We wanted to create a project that was both applicable and useful to us as college students,” said team member Ishaan Bhandari during Capital One’s presentation on Thursday. Watch Capital One demonstrate “Class Connect” below. This year’s Hackathon prompt was “Bring Your Own Data,” requiring participants to leverage data from the source of their choice to create data-centric projects, including websites, applications, and extensions. “This prompt is accessible to students from all majors and academic backgrounds,” said Hackathon organizer James Kabbes. “I am always impressed with what the students build in such a short amount of time!” Twelve companies participated in the Hackathon: AbbVie, AGCO Corporation, Ameren, Brunswick, Capital One, COUNTRY Financial, FrostDefense Envirotech, John Deere Technology Innovation Center, Kohler, Rivian, SeriesFarm, and State Farm. Individuals from these companies formed twelve teams, six of which were named finalists and presented to a panel of judges on Thursday, June 27. Finalists included Kohler‘s “Refugee Haven Search,” COUNTRY Financial‘s “GeoGroove,” AGCO+Ameren‘s “OccuPi,” Capital One‘s “Class Connect,” Rivian‘s “EV Charger Location Optimization,” and UIRP/EW‘s “Wandertunes.” Thank you to everyone who helped to organize and those who participated in this event, including judges Matt Ahrens (NVIDIA), Bryan Goode (Research Park), Dustin Mayfield-Jones (Research Park), and Jarai Carter (John Deere). A special thanks to John Deere software engineer James Kabbes for creating the event structure and developing the prompt. View photos from the event on this media gallery, or learn more about past and future Research Park Hackathons on this website page.

    Capital One, COUNTRY Financial Capture Top Prizes in Research Park Hackathon Read Post »

    Community EnterpriseWorks Features News Research Park

    Cache Energy Secures $8.5 Million in Seed Funding

    EnterpriseWorks startup Cache Energy has successfully secured a new investment, boosting its early funding to an impressive $8.5 million. Cache specializes in developing long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology utilizing low-cost materials capable of withstanding high temperatures. The recent investment was led by Voyager Ventures, a venture capital firm that “invests in early-stage climate technology companies, creating the foundation of a decarbonized global economy and livable future for all.” The funding supports the development and scaling of Cache’s thermal storage system. “The energy capacity cost is an order of magnitude cheaper than what we have seen anywhere in the market. The next alternative is at least 8-10 X more expensive,” said Arpit Dwivedi, founder and CEO of Cache Energy.Voyage Ventures believes Cache will revolutionize industries like manufacturing and chemicals, which rely on large amounts of heat energy and need affordable storage options. “With strong customer traction already from major utilities and industrial players, we are thrilled to support Arpit Dwivedi and his talented team as they scale this transformative technology to dramatically reduce emissions while saving customers money in these critical sectors,” said Leonardo Banchik of Voyager. Over the past year, Cache has also worked with Halliburton to speed up its scaling and operations. Cache has earned acknowledgment from the Department of Energy and won two awards: the DOE Energy Innovation Prize and a pitch competition at the White House.

    Cache Energy Secures $8.5 Million in Seed Funding Read Post »

    Team Members

    Sarah Doherty

    Sarah Doherty Senior Accounting Associate Email : sarahmd3@illinois.eduPhone : 217-300-6217 Sarah Doherty joined the EnterpriseWorks team as an Accounting Associate in July 2023, bringing 14 years of professional accounting experience to the University of Illinois EnterpriseWorks and the Research Park. In her current role as Senior Accounting Associate, Sarah manages the accounting functions and financial operations for the EnterpriseWorks incubator. Sarah is the primary contact for EnterpriseWorks tenant billing for incubator companies. As a Certified University of Illinois Business Administrator, she oversees accounting operations including budget preparation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, monthly reconciliations, and financial reporting for EnterpriseWorks. Sarah also assists with grant administration for federal and state awards, including Catapult awards, and is an Illini Certified Research Administrator. She provides detailed financial analysis and expense tracking reports to support organizational decision-making. Sarah earned her Master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and an Honors Certificate in Accounting from Parkland College. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. An Ohio native, Sarah has made Champaign her home with her husband and three daughters.

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    Team Members

    Roger West

    Roger West Associate Director of Operations and Finance Email :rwest@illinois.edu   Phone: 217-244-7745 Roger West oversees the financial aspects of our organization, including accounting, budgets, grant oversight, and contracts for EnterpriseWorks and UIRP LLC.  Roger is a CPA with a background that includes a mix of entrepreneurship, technology, construction, and University financial audits. Before joining the Research Park staff in 2011, he worked as the Director of Accounts at Common Ground Publishing, a graduate of the EnterpriseWorks incubator which has its offices in the Research Park. He also worked as a Controller at Broeren Russo Construction and Vogel Bros. Construction learning about the construction business, and began his career as an accountant at two small accounting firms.  Roger and his family live in Savoy.

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