Author name: researchpark24

Resources

Allied Agency

Allied Agency Allied Agencies may can receive specific benefits offered by the University of Illinois for being located on the Urbana-Champaign campus. For more information on the benefits of being an allied organization, please visit the Office of Corporate Relations website here. Companies located at the University of Illinois Research Park are eligible to apply for Allied Agency status. To become an Allied Agency, follow these steps:  Complete this form and send it to research-park@illinois.edu. Research Park staff will sign and send the form  to the Office of Corporation Relations, who will send a letter to your Research Park site. Next, send a list of your employees to the OCR and Research Park staff. Request a NetID. After requesting a NetID, request an Illinois.edu email address by contacting Tech Services. Then, you may request a Research Park card. Visit the ID Center located at the Illini Union Bookstore to get your card.

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Deana
EnterpriseWorks Tenants

Designer-In-Residence

Designer-In-Residence EntrepriseWorks has engaged Dr. Deana McDonagh, Professor of Industrial Design in the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois, as a Designer-in-Residence. In this role, she assists University of Illinois inventors and entrepreneurs to incorporate empathic design and design thinking in their technology development to help improve user experiences and performance of products to meet customer needs. She is an Empathic Design Research Strategist who focuses on enhancing quality of life for all through more intuitive and meaningful products, leading to emotional sustainability. Her research concentrates on emotional user-product relationships and how empathy can bring the designer closer to users’ authentic need. Specifically, McDonagh works with startup companies in EnterpriseWorks to further support transforming their inventions into innovations for wider impact. Support can include user research, initial form exploration, mood boards, brainstorming, field research, user evaluation and design strategy. A recent article in Wired spoke of the need, “So instead of competing on technology, people are competing on design. And now everyone seems to be trying to out-design each other.” EnterpriseWorks companies can receive assistance from our Designer-in-Residence at no charge. DESIGNER-IN-RESIDENCE REQUEST Deana McDonagh Designer-in-Residence Deana is our dedicated Designer-in-Residence.

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Makerspace
Resources

Makerspace

Makerspace EnterpriseWorks at the University of Illinois Research Park houses a shared Makerspace and shared labs. These spaces are open to Research Park tenants and offer free, well-maintained resources. EnterpriseWorks’ Makerspace EnterpriseWorks, the startup incubator of the University of Illinois Research Park, is home to a shared Makerspace. 3D printers, table saws, laser cutters, and much more are available for use. Research Park companies, including corporations, small businesses, EnterpriseWorks tenants, and affiliate members, are permitted use of the space. For more information, contact research-park@illinois.edu. EnterpriseWorks’ Shared Lab Facilities At EnterpriseWorks, labs are available with casework, fume hoods, plumbing, gas, and shelving. Basic labs are available, and full fit-out labs for chemical and life science companies are also available. Equipment List 3D Printer Air compressor Belt Sander Bench Grinder Drill Press Horizontal Bandsaw Laser Cutter Lathe Mill/TDrill/Tapping Machine Miter Saw Various hand tools Vertical Bandsaw

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Resources

Campus Resources

Campus Resources By virtue of our affiliation with the University of Illinois, Research Park and EnterpriseWorks tenants also benefit from university-administered resources. Our University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus location provides Research Park companies and startups with unparalleled convenience when it comes to accessing university-related resources. Facility Use Agreements Companies can gain access to University of Illinois laboratory equipment and facilities by entering into Facilities Use Agreement and/or Technical Testing Agreements with the University. The top requested research facilities include the clean-room labs within the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory; various sophisticated lasers; and microscopy. Companies also may access the Blue Waters sustained petascale computing facility. Companies also have access to rapid prototyping and machine shop services through the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Clients pay on a cost-recovery basis (materials and labor only), so prices are extremely low compared to commercial service options. Faculty and staff-founded companies located in EnterpriseWorks and the Research Park can setup interdepartmental agreements for technical testing or facilities use, resulting in substantial savings compared to external company use rates. Allied Agency Allied Agencies may can receive specific benefits offered by the University of Illinois for being located on the Urbana-Champaign campus. For more information on the benefits of being an allied organization, please visit the Office of Corporate Relations website here. Companies located at the University of Illinois Research Park are eligible to apply for Allied Agency status. To become an Allied Agency, follow these steps:  Complete this form and send it to research-park@illinois.edu. Research Park staff will sign and send the form  to the Office of Corporation Relations, who will send a letter to your Research Park site. Next, send a list of your employees to the OCR and Research Park staff. Request a NetID. After requesting a NetID, request an Illinois.edu email address by contacting Tech Services. Then, you may request a Research Park card. Visit the ID Center located at the Illini Union Bookstore to get your card. ALLIED AGENCY APPLICATION Campus Organizations Student Entrepreneurship Campus Resources Research Park’s location provides convenient access to on-campus resources.

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Workshops
Resources

Workshops

Workshops The University of Illinois Research Park hosts a variety of workshops every month. From entrepreneurial support, to professional events, to intern development, Research Park supports ongoing education by inviting speakers of various backgrounds to discuss experiences, share advice, and provide insight into particular fields. Workshop Topics Recruiting Intellectual Property Pitching Diversity in the Workplace Pricing & Sales Customer Discovery Technology Commercialization Team Development Financial Literacy Improv Branding & Storytelling Business Strategy Investing & Funding Negotiation Strategies Personal Development Emotional Intelligence SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance VIEW OUR CALENDAR FOR DETAILS ON UPCOMING WORKSHOPS.

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Server Room
Resources

CO-LOCATION DATA CENTER

Co-Location Data Center The EnterpriseWorks co-location data center features 15 enclosed, locked cabinets of rack space. Each cabinet has a capacity of 42U. Companies can lease space by the cabinet or by the rack, and agreements last one year. The colo data center offers redundant power from our building generator, a cooling infrastructure, and a security system. Also, the center is  connected to other Research Park buildings with direct fiber for remote computing. COLO SPACE REQUEST For information regarding the co-location data center, please contact research-park@illinois.edu.

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Earth Sense
EnterpriseWorks Tenants

Broader Tech Community

Broader Tech Community In addition to the resources provided by Research Park, Champaign-Urbana is home to a broader tech community that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Champaign County organizations help support entrepreneurship through programs including the SBDC, Urbana-Champaign Angel Network, First Friday mentoring, and TechMix social events. Urbana-Champaign Angel Network (UCAN) The mission of the Urbana-Champaign Angel Network (UCAN) is to provide a forum for accredited investors to access and review selected investment opportunities in a confidential, efficient and effective manner. UCAN’s emphasis is to further economic development in the Champaign County area by matching capital providers with some of the best startup business opportunities. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) SBDCs provide assistance to new and existing small businesses. First Friday Business Review First Friday (formerly known as Second Saturday) is a group of local business people with a variety of backgrounds who get together the first Friday of each month to review business plans and give feedback to startup companies, primarily high-tech. For more information or to apply to pitch, contact First Friday organizer Don Elmore. The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development.  EDC is the force behind the You’re Welcome CU campaign that highlights the tech and innovations that are growing out of Champaign-Urbana. Learn More Learn more about the local tech community at yourewelcomecu.com. Explore our calendar for upcoming tech-focused events.

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Incubator Network
EnterpriseWorks Tenants

Illinois University Incubator Network

Illinois University Incubator Network The Illinois University Incubator Network supports entrepreneurship by providing resources, technical assistance, and guidance to university incubators. The Network assists incubators and the entrepreneurial ecosystems associated with higher education in 10 Illinois counties. These counties represent distressed regions in need of economic development assistance. Led by the EnterpriseWorks incubator at the University of Illinois Research Park and supported by a grant from the Economic Development Administration, the IUIN provides direct resources  to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Institutions and other incubators south of I-80 may join the EDA University Center Small Business Assistance Program. Cheri Soliday Cheri manages projects related to the IUIN.

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