Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit

Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit 4 Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit

Thank you for joining us for the 2023 AgTech Summit.

Join us to explore how technology solutions are addressing some of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today – and learn about what is on the horizon. One of the premier AgTech hubs in the nation, Champaign-Urbana is uniquely positioned to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and industry for learning, networking and advancing this sector.

March 5, 2024
Illinois Conference Center
111 St Mary’s Rd. Champaign, IL

 

This interactive conference offers participants the opportunity to learn and share knowledge about the current state of agtech and looking into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. This event is free thanks to our generous sponsors.

For sponsorship information, speaking opportunities and more, please contact Laura Bleill at [email protected].

 

Sponsors

2023 AgTech Summit Sponsors

2023 Agenda

7:30 AM REGISTRATION OPENS 
8:00 AM WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS 
8:05 am Champaign-Urbana Welcome Week Proclamation
8:15 am The Journey of Sustainability
9:15 am Opportunities in Alternative Proteins
10:15 am break
10:30 am Carbon Strategy in AgTech
11:30 am GLEN “GB” BRANDT PRIZE FOR AG ENTREPRENEURISM 
11:45 am Lunch
12:30 pm The Future of the AgTech Workforce
1:30 pm MOORE INNOVATION PRIZE AND STARTUP PRESENTATION 
1:45 pm Break
2:00 pm The Intelligent Farm
3:00 pm Perspective of Growers & Producers
4:00 AGTECH SHOWCASE & NETWORKING RECEPTION 

You’re invited to join us for the AgTech Showcase & Networking event immediately following the Summit at the Illinois Conference Center. The AgTech Showcase is an opportunity to connect with other attendees and see what innovations companies are working on. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

YouTube Livestream

This event was streamed on the Research Park YouTube channel.

Thank you to our AgTech Summit Planning Committee

  • Laura Bleill, University of Illinois Research Park
  • Desiree Clayton, University of Illinois Research Park
  • Pedro Fernandes da Costa, University of Illinois Office of Corporate Relations
  • Amy Fruehling, University of Illinois College of ACES
  • Kim Kidwell, University of Illinois Office of the Chancellor
  • Cathy McArthur, University of Illinois Research Park
  • Brendan McGinty, National Center for Supercomputing Applications

AgTech Student Career Panel

Students were invited to join us to hear from their peers working in agtech within the Research Park. Join us in the ACES Library Wednesday, February 15 at 5pm. Learn more here.

Research Park Tours

Guests were invited to join us Monday, March 6 from 2-4 pm for tours of the Research Park. They visited with startup companies in the EnterpriseWorks incubator and corporations throughout the Research Park. Tour stops included John Deere, Country Financial, Nvidia, Caterpillar, Rivian, Corteva, AGCO, Epivara, Verizon, D-Next, Abbott.

Hotel Information

The I-Hotel is connected to the Illinois Conference Center. We recommend staying here, but there are several other hotel options in town.

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week

Champaign-Urbana has long been a hub for technology as well as agriculture. In the past decade, those two paths have converged, paving the way for the community to become an “epicenter for AgTech.” In addition to the AgTech Summit, there are several events during AgTech Week from March 6-10.

AgTech Award

Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Award

The Edwin Moore Family Agriculture award was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks. The goal of this award is to help startup companies engaged in the development of new innovative technologies that may lead to increased productivity and/or efficiency in farming or to create new agricultural opportunities, including new processes, new crops, and new food production systems.

The award honors the legacy of Edwin E. Moore (1924), who graduated from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture and began farming in Will County. Throughout his agricultural career, he and his wife, Iva, used innovative farming practices for both crop production and livestock management. Two of their four children also became farmers, Edwin and Thomas (1953, College of Agriculture), and continued use of innovative farm practices. Subsequent generations of Edwin Moore’s family have continued to pursue farming and ag-related careers capturing the same innovative spirit.

The previous winners include:

FrostDefense(2022)

Epivara(2021)

AspiringUniverse(2020)

TellTail(2019)

EarthSense(2018)

Soil Diagnostics(2017)

Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Award

The Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism  was established in 2021 in honor of Glen “GB” Brandt, a legendary figure in the field of Illinois agriculture, who passed away in late 2020. The BRANDT Foundation partnered with the University of Illinois to provide the winner a $10,000 prize.

The BRANDT Foundation was established in 2012 as a philanthropic extension of BRANDT, Inc. The Brandt family has always stood with their communities and as their company grew, so did the opportunities to give back. The BRANDT Foundation offers donations, grants, and support to the charities, organizations, and communities that reside in the same area of the company; geographically and industry-related.

The previous winners include:

Matt Riggs(2022)

Will Glazik(2021)

AgTech Summit History

Check out these highlights from our AgTech Innovation Summits of past years.

2022

2022 Videos

2022 AgTech Innovation Summit Photo Gallery

March 9, WCIA: AgTech Innovation Summit

March 9, Brownfield: Vertical Integration has farmer/brewer less concerned about inflation

February 23, Speaker RFD Profit Watch 

2021

2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Recap Video

2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Photos

AgTech Summit 2021 in the Media

March 20, The News-Gazette: Rural Paxton farmer’s spirit recognized

March 12, AgDaily: Illinois Farmer Receives Ag Entrepreneurial Award

March 4, WCIA: We’re thinking spring in Champaign County

February 10, Smile Politely:  The 2021 AgTech Innovation Summit is Happening on March 10th

2020

2020 AgTech Summit Photos

2019

2019 AgTech Summit Photos

2018

2018 AgTech Summit Photos

2017

2017 AgTech Summit Photos

2016

2016 AgTech Summit Photos