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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Illinois AgTech Accelerator Announces Sixth Cohort

    The Illinois AgTech Accelerator, with Serra Ventures serving as a key partner, is welcoming a sixth cohort, gBETA AgTech Accelerator. Research Park is a sponsor of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator The gBETA AgTech Accelerator kicked off in early October and is designed to set a path for startups emerging ag and food technologies succeed by leveraging local, regional and global partnerships with investors, corporations and academic institutions. gBETA AgTech alums have raised more than $6 million in seed funding to date. “At Serra Ventures, we’re committed to supporting AgTech and Agriculture innovation, and our partnership with gener8tor is a key part of that… We’re fortunate to be in the presence of institutions like the University of Illinois, as we’re constantly seeking startups that have positioned themselves to have a wider impact onglobal sustainability and food access. These startups will hopefully redefine the future of agriculture technology.” – Dennis Beard, Managing Partner at Serra Ventures. Other program supporters include Agri-Fab, GEM Realty Capital, University of Illinois Research Park, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and BASF. Attend the CU TechMix on Thursday, November 9 to network with other professionals and companies in the local tech community., including those involved with the new cohort and Illinois AgTech Accelerator. At the end of the program, startup founders will pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event at the EnterpriseWorks incubator at 5 p.m.

    Illinois AgTech Accelerator Announces Sixth Cohort Read Post »

    Investments Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee

    Today,  the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced it has selected the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) as a 2023 Tech Hub Designee. The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators while also training a skilled workforce. The iFab consortium’s 30+ partners includes the University of Illinois Research Park as well as industry, higher education, workforce development agencies, agribusiness, and producers. Two of the private sector partners, ADM and Boston Bioprocess, have operations at Research Park. Another partner, gener8tor, leads the Illinois AgTech Accelerator.  The iFAB proposal, one of 400 received by EDA, was made public in August. Receiving the federal designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs and promote innovation. This is the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program, a development initiative created to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards.” – U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo The second phase will allow each designated hub to apply to receive between $40-70 million each for implementation funding, totaling $500 million. About iFAB iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. To learn more, visit the iFAB website.

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee Read Post »

    Events News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    AGCO Corporation Training Center Groundbreaking at Parkland College

    AGCO Corporation is expanding its imprint on Champaign by introducing the new AGCO Training Center, powered through a partnership with Parkland College. Involved officials gathered to break ground for the center on Parkland College’s campus on Thursday, October 19, 2023. While AGCO has been a part of the University of Illinois Research Park since 2018 through the AGCO Acceleration Center, a demand for trained technicians to work on farm equipment has increased across the country. Plans for the AGCO Training Center were unveiled back in April 2023 by Parkland College President Pam Lau. Parkland received a $5 million donation from AGCO, making the new center possible. The $6 million facility will house a new Service Technician associate in applied science (A.A.S) degree program, which will provide students with instruction specific to AGCO-branded equipment, as well as education in general ag concepts. The program will accept students sponsored by AGCO dealerships. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lau acknowledged the collaboration with the Champaign Country Economic Development Corporation and The University of Illinois. She also mentioned how the new training center is going to make a meaningful contribution. “This is going to facilitate not just training, but planting seeds for technical labs all around the world…. We will be helping farmers feeding the world and Illinois.” – Parkland College President Pam Lau The AGCO Training Center is expected to be constructed by August 2024. About AGCO AGCO stands out as a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology. Learn more about the AGCO Acceleration Center on its Research Park tenant directory.

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    EnterpriseWorks Graduates News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    VedaBio to Revolutionize Molecular Detection after Tenure as LabSimply at EnterpriseWorks

    VedaBio, a biotechnology company leading a paradigm-shift in molecular detection, launched on October 17, 2023, with initial funding of over $40 million. This company has roots at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and Research Park: VedaBio was formerly known as LabSimply and operated out of EnterpriseWorks from 2021 to 2022. CEO and Co-Founder Anrup Ganguli, PhD, developed multiple research platforms during his time at university in the lab of Professor Rashid Bashir, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering and current Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering. VedaBio is revolutionizing molecular biology with its breakthrough platform for near-instant molecular detection of multiplexed analytes, delivering best-in-class accuracy without the need for target amplification. Their CRISPR Cascade™ platform is poised to emerge as a new gold standard tool to empower decision-making across multiple industries. In the official press release, Ganguli explains that the CRISPR Cascade reaction provides “a platform that delivers near-instant molecular detection of highly multiplexed analytes with best-in-class accuracy, all without the need for target amplification.” He has high hopes for VedaBio, believing “it is poised to emerge as a future gold standard for molecular detection, empowering major advances across multiple applications including research and industrial tools, diagnostics and therapeutics.”  To learn more about VedaBio, read the official press release on the VedaBio website.

    VedaBio to Revolutionize Molecular Detection after Tenure as LabSimply at EnterpriseWorks Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute

    Have you ever bitten into a meat substitute product and find yourself longing for the real deal? The aroma, the flavor, the texture, and the taste of… meat? You’re not alone. EnterpriseWork’s very own Boston Bioprocess is teaming up with Nourish Ingredients to create just that– utilizing wild fungi and yeast strains to trick even the biggest meat lovers into thinking they are consuming a meat product. The secret ingredient? To effectively scale and replicate the most potent fat molecules, the ones responsible for making that irresistible, animalistic aroma that makes your mouth water. In a Food Navigator USA article, it was explained that Boston Bioprocess is not only assisting Nourish Ingredients in developing a more realistic-tasting product but ensuring that the product will meet regulatory requirements as well. The partnership between Boston Bioprocess and Nourish Ingredients is coming after a significant drop in the plant-based protein market. Nourish Ingredients CEO James Petrie hopes to change the downward market trajectory. “In one way [it’s] been healthy for [the industry] in the sense that… there’s a bit of pressure on the plant-based industry at the moment and it’s forcing us to take a collective look at the quality of products,” said Petrie. Boston Bioprocess works to provide their clients with the equipment and expertise they need to improve yield, decrease costs, and access product for commercial testing. Visit their tenant directory to learn more about the company. Read the full Food Navigator feature.

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute Read Post »

    Events News Research Park

    Kohler Establishes Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to Impact the Future of Kitchen and Bath

    Kohler Co., a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of plumbing products; tile, cabinetry and lighting; and engines, generators and clean energy solutions, today celebrated the grand opening of the new Kohler Innovation Center at the University of Illinois Research Park. The new center is a reflection of the company’s objective of positively impacting current and future generations through design, craftsmanship, and innovation. The center’s portfolio focuses on areas of interest to Kohler including supply chain optimization strategies; investigating and adapting technology for the factory of the future; and developing a pipeline of engineering and data analytics talent for the company tapped from its student intern program.   “Our partnership with the University of Illinois is a win for Kohler, the university, and students. We are excited about this new facility and the future possibilities of our collaboration,” said Norb Schmidt, Senior Vice President of Kitchen & Bath Operations for Kohler.  “Our commitment here is a genuine investment in our [Kohler’s] future, added Schmidt. Specifically, Kohler’s Research Park location supports research and design efforts related to robotics, electro-mechanical systems, machining, and pneumatic and hydraulic functions. “The Kohler Innovation Center at UIRP provides our students the opportunity to work on solutions for the Midwest and beyond,” said Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Such real-world experiences are examples of the transformative educational opportunities at Illinois that grow from our leadership in engineering, data science, and industrial design.”   The center is hiring several positions and eventually plans to employ up to 25 students. A full-time site manager, Will Newton, supervises the students and serves as liaison between the Kohler Innovation Center at UIRP and the University of Illinois.  Initiatives to cultivate a culture of innovation, including the new campus innovation center at Illinois, supports why Kohler Co. recently landed as a finalist on the Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators list. Download the full press release here. About Kohler Co. For 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in design and innovation, dedicated to providing gracious living through kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; distributed energy solutions – home energy, industrial power systems, and powertrain technologies – and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Kohler’s Whistling Straits golf course hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.Learn more at kohlercompany.com.

    Kohler Establishes Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to Impact the Future of Kitchen and Bath Read Post »

    Community News Research Park

    Abandoned Kitten at Research Park Finds Fur-ever Home with Zite AI

    Monday started off a little hairy when Facility Operations Coordinator James Wells found a kitten roaming near the loading dock on the Research Park campus. Wells knew he had to stay pawsitive and immediately boxed up the frail creature. Then the black kitten found itself experiencing an immersive tour of the EnterpriseWorks incubator. It spent the day exploring the nearby halls, eating chicken donated from people’s salads, and entertaining its many curious visitors in the office of Operations Director and self-proclaimed cat-lover, Cynthia Faullin. “[He was a] sweet snuggly kitten who was not timid and quickly began to play with some improvised cat toys,” said Faullin. While there were several interested parties, ZITE AI CEO Joshua Love volunteered to give the orphan a home and promptly took him to the vet for a check-up. “When I walked into the Zite AI office this morning, I did not expect to come home with a kitten,” posted Joshua Love on LinkedIn. “Weighing in at just 2.5 pounds, the vet estimates he’s between 8 and 10 weeks old… While he had a minor flea issue, I’m happy to report that he received a clean bill of health otherwise.” Many congratulations to Love and his new kitten (now named Bob) in finding a furever home! We have a feline it’s going to be the start of a beautiful friendship.

    Abandoned Kitten at Research Park Finds Fur-ever Home with Zite AI Read Post »

    BioTech and Healthcare EnterpriseWorks Incubator Startup Tenant Directory

    Eleuthra Photonics

    Eleuthra Photonics kayvan.tehrani@eleuthra.co 60 Hazelwood Dr. Champaign, IL Eleuthra Photonics specializes in developing and producing rapid image-based diagnostic tools for analyzing tissue and cell samples, with a primary focus on cancer and other disease diagnoses. www.eleuthraphotonics.com Eleuthra Photonics at Research Park Eleuthra Photonics provides expertise to MarginDx project

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    1800 S. Oak St. Business Solutions EnterpriseWorks Incubator Tenant Directory

    Amplified HR

    Amplified HR 1800 S. Oak St. Champaign, IL Amplified HR was founded in 2015 when the HR Director for a national franchise chain was desperate to give franchisees access to Human Resources to save them from the headaches and financial burden of legal claims. Amplified HR created a one-stop HR solution that assists businesses by providing employee documentation, training and templates, and legal updates. Amplified HR caters to various industries, including auto dealerships, engineering firms, warehouse/manufacturing, software startups, law firms, property management, and more. From out-of-the-box onboarding, workflows, performance management, and compensation management to training, Amplified HR equips your team with everything necessary to operate efficiently and get real human support. amplifiedhr.com CEO Amber Rhoton Talk: HR 101 for Startups

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    AgTech EnterpriseWorks Incubator Startup Tenant Directory

    Frenzy Ag

    Frenzy Ag info@frenzyag.com 60 Hazelwood Dr. Champaign, IL Frenzy Ag focuses on new growth strategies for crops that maximize the potential of each acre and plant. frenzyag.com Frenzy Ag at Research Park Chris Harbourt and Ken Paige Fireside Chat at the 2025 AgTech Summit FrenzyAg’s Ken Paige Creates New Product to Increase Crop Yields

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