AgTech Summit 2024

A look Back!

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.

View the list of AgTech Showcase participants here:

7:30 AM

REGISTRATION OPENS

8:00 AM

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Laura Appenzeller | Executive Director, University of Illinois Research Park

8:10 AM

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA AgTech WEEK PROCLAMATION

Deborah Frank Feinen | Mayor, City of Champaign
Diane Wolfe Marlin | Mayor, City of Urbana

8:45 AM

NAVIGATING DIGITAL AG

Justin McMenamy | VP of Disruptive Products, Precision Planting
Dave Knippenberg | Director of Data Platforms, Elanco
Jared Fry | Director of Modeling & Simulation, Mondelez
Dominic Walkes | Director of Technical Product Management, CNH
Moderator: Elhan Ersoz | Clinical Assistant Professor, UIUC Crop Sciences

9:30 AM

FIRESIDE CHAT: Corteva Agriscience

Sam Eathington | Chief Technology and Digital Officer, Corteva Agriscience
Kim Kidwell | Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

10:00 AM

POLICY IMPACT ON AGTECH

Jonathan Coppess | Associate Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Greg Webb | Vice President, State Government Relations, ADM
Aleksi Knepp | Legislative Assistant, United States House of Representatives, Office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski
Moderator: Stephen Wald | Director of External Communications and Government Relations, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

10:30 AM

BREAK

10:45 AM

Regional Partnership in Bioprocessing: iFAB Tech Hub

Michael Tai | CEO, Boston Bioprocess
James Glueck | Senior Vice President, Advanced Bioproducts, Corn Refiners Association
Beth Conerty | Regional Innovation Officer, iFAB Tech Hub
Eric Lee | Director, Business Development – Fermentation and Bioindustry, Primient
Moderator: Nicole Bateman | President, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County

11:30 AM

MOORE INNOVATION PRIZE AND STARTUP PRESENTATION

11:45 AM

FIRESIDE CHAT: Hypercell

Bruno Jactel | CEO, Hypercell
Gerald Wilson | Director of Entrepreneurship, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

12:15 PM

LUNCH

12:45 PM

FIRESIDE CHAT

Gastón Suardiaz | Global Strategy Lead, GDM
Moderator: Germán Bollero | Dean, UIUC College of Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences

1:15 PM

LIGHTNING PRESENTATIONS

Andrew Leakey | Director, UIUC Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation
Dennis Beard | Managing Partner, Serra Ventures
AgTech Hackathon Winner Presentation

2:00 PM

GLEN “GB” BRANDT PRIZE FOR AG ENTREPRENEURISM

2:15 PM

BREAK

2:30 PM

THE JOURNEY OF SUSTAINABILITY

Kaiyu Guan | Founder, HabiTerre
Sumeeta Salvador | Senior Associate, Corporate Development in Food & Agriculture, S2G Ventures
Alexey Rostapshov | Head of Labs and Sustainability Solutions, John Deere
Charlie Foresman | Ecosystems Impact Lead, Bayer
Moderator: John Reid | Research Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign