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    Roger Bock Wolf Creek Farm Brandt Prize
    Recognition & Awards

    Wolf Creek Farm Awarded 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism

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    Roger Bock from Wolf Creek Farm Awarded 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Roger Bock from Wolf Creek Farm Awarded 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Roger Bock from Wolf Creek Farm Awarded 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (March 6, 2025) — Roger Bock of Wolf Creek Farm was named the recipient of this year’s Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, an award that honors a grower/producer/farmer who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices. Located in Williamsville, Wolf Creek Farm provides wholesale produce purchase options for farm-to-table retailers, truck farmers, farmers market retailers, distributors, and more. Owner Roger Bock is a University of Illinois alumnus and fifth-generation farmer, tool maker, commercial pilot, and Certified Aerial Applicator. “We use the plant science department [at the University of Illinois] to guide us and answer questions about problems we are having with special crops,” said Bock. “Wolf Creek Farm optimizes lesser growing areas by rotating in edible crops.” The farming operation consists of 1200 acres of corn and soybeans and 15 acres of wholesale vegetables and is also optimized with support from University of Illinois Extension. 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 with a $10,000 prize. “Mentoring good agriculture practices to youth farm workers is a priority of Wolf Creek Farm,” said Chris Baker, who nominated Wolf Creek Farm for the Brandt Prize. Bock said he plans to use the award’s $10,000 prize to expand the farm’s hoop house space. The award was announced at the 2025 AgTech Innovation Summit, hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park. Previous Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism winners include Andrew and Karlie Bowman (2024), Eric Miller (2023), Matt Riggs, (2022), and Will Glazik (2021). About The BRANDT Foundation  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 charities, organizations, and communities that reside in the same area of the company; geographically and industry-related. About the AgTech Innovation Summit  Produced by the University of Illinois Research Park, the AgTech Innovation Summit is an interactive conference where participants learn and share knowledge about the current state of AgTech and get a look into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. 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.

    Wolf Creek Farm Awarded 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Read Post »

    Boston Bioprocess Moore Prize
    EnterpriseWorks, Recognition & Awards, Research Park

    Boston Bioprocess Wins 2025 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize

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    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (March 6, 2025) – Boston Bioprocess, a biotechnology services company specializing in precision fermentation process development and scale-up, has been named the 2025 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize winner. The award, generously funded by a family of University of Illinois alumni, rewards University of Illinois entrepreneurs focusing on agricultural innovations. The Research Park and the Moore family together presented the award to Boston Bioprocess CEO and co-founder, Michael Tai, during the 2025 AgTech Innovation Summit at the Illinois Conference Center. The company operates out of offices and labs at EnterpriseWorks, the technology incubator in the Research Park and the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory. Boston Bioprocess helps fermentation-based manufacturers navigate the challenging transition from laboratory to commercial production. The biotechnology services company specializes in developing, scaling up, and optimizing fermentation and downstream processing operations. By addressing critical knowledge and capacity bottlenecks, it streamlines the path to market for companies developing fermentation-based products. “We wouldn’t be where we are without the sponsorship or the support from the university,” said Tai. Boston Bioprocess was founded in Boston in 2022. Since relocating to Champaign in early 2023, it has experienced steady growth. “Our growth could be potentially unlimited,” said CFO and co-founder Ted Netland. “We sit on top of the industry as a B2B provider and we enable companies to grow as quickly and efficiently as they can.”  The Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize’s goal is to encourage 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. Previous Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund winners include: Hypercell Technologies, 2024 HarvestIQ, 2023 FrostDefense Envirotech, 2022 Epivara, 2021 Habiterre (formerly Aspiring Universe), 2020 TellTail, 2019 EarthSense, 2018 Soil Diagnostics, 2017 For more information about Boston Bioprocess, visit its website: bostonbioprocess.com About the Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize The Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s technology incubator. 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 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. About the Research Park at the University of Illinois The Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub for startup companies and corporate research and development operations. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing students and full-time technology professionals. More information at researchpark.illinois.edu.

    Boston Bioprocess Wins 2025 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks, Events, Investments, News, Research Park

    Finalists announced for Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional

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    UPDATE: Congratulations to Champaign-based EarthSense for winning the 2025 Startup World Cup Agriculture and Food Regional!  CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (February 26, 2025) – Today the University of Illinois Research Park, in partnership with Serra Ventures, gener8tor, and Pegasus Tech Ventures, announced the 10 startups selected as finalists in the inaugural Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional pitch competition. The Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional will take place as part of the 10th Annual AgTech Summit on March 6 in Champaign. The startups will present their business ideas and models to a judging panel of investors. The winner will move on to the Startup World Cup Finale in October, where it will have an opportunity to compete with other regional winners for a $1 million investment. This is the first time the Startup World Cup has included a regional round focused on agriculture and food technology. The following startups have been selected to compete at the Startup World Cup Agriculture and Food Regional: AGTECHLOGIC INC. — Developed Agtellio, an AI solution helping farms reduce chemical use by up to 90%, lowering costs and improving yields while providing actionable insights for asset efficiency. Cattle Care — Uses computer vision with existing security cameras to measure employee efficiency on dairy farms, enabling performance-based compensation and improving workforce productivity. EarthSense, Inc. — Creates AI-powered farming robots targeting labor shortages and rising costs, initially serving oil palm companies in Asia that manage over 10 million hectares. Re-Nuble — Converts vegetative food byproducts into biological fertilizers and peat replacements, helping commercial farms reduce costs and mitigate pathogen risks through lab-tested products. Vivid Machines — Offers tractor-mountable AI cameras providing real-time, per-plant fruit predictions, enabling precise tree-level decisions to increase fruit size and reduce labor costs. Earnest Agriculture — Produces Prairie Power, a probiotic seed coating that improves soil health, delivering a proven 6 percent yield increase for row crop farmers with measurable ROI. Oaken — Building asset management software to streamline farmland management and financing, automating payments, lease management, and relationship tracking. Good Agriculture — Provides AI-powered farm business management that automates back-office tasks, saving farmers 5-10 hours weekly while improving profitability. Integrated Dynamics, Inc. — Developing high-selectivity waste-to-value technology using synthetic biology and high-temperature microbes to convert organic waste into commodity chemicals. UfarmX — Africa’s largest farmer data and procurement platform connecting smallholder farmers to agribusinesses and financial institutions, eliminating middlemen and enhancing supply chain efficiency.   About the AgTech Summit The AgTech Innovation Summit brings together leaders in industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and academics to address pressing agricultural challenges and explore emerging solutions. Hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park, 2025 marks the 10th  edition of this annual event. AgTech is the fastest growing industry cluster in the Research Park, which has 120 companies across 19 buildings on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. To learn more about the AgTech Summit, visit the Research Park website. About the Startup World Cup The Startup World Cup is a global series of startup competitions and conferences powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With over 100 regional events across 60+ countries, the competition culminates in a Grand Finale in Silicon Valley on October 17, 2025, where the top startups from each region will compete for a $1 million investment prize. For a complete list of regional events, visit: Startup World Cup. About Pegasus Tech Ventures Pegasus Tech Ventures is a leading global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, with over $2 billion in assets under management. Pegasus supports emerging technology companies worldwide by providing both intellectual and financial capital. They also offer a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large corporations looking to partner with cutting-edge startups. Learn more at Pegasus Tech Ventures.

    Finalists announced for Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional Read Post »

    Events, Research Park

    AgTech Innovation Summit celebrates 10th annual event

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    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (February 26, 2025) – The 10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit will take place at the University of Illinois Research Park on Thursday, March 6 at the Illinois Conference Center. The AgTech Summit explores how technology solutions are addressing some of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today, at one of the nation’s premier agtech hubs. This event brings together entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, investors, growers/producers, academics, and more for keynote speakers, panels, award presentations, networking, and more that advance the agtech sector. “Agtech is a very broad sector, one that continues to change and scale in its size and scope,” said Laura Appenzeller, Executive Director, Research Park. “The AgTech Summit is emblematic of that continuous evolution over the past decade. Once a regional event, it now attracts a global audience which recognizes Champaign as an agtech destination.” For the first time, the AgTech Summit will feature a startup pitch competition. The Startup World Cup Agriculture and Food Regional will feature 10 startup finalists who will showcase their ideas in front of a judging panel of investors. The winner will receive travel expenses to compete for a $1 million investment at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in October. The event will feature fireside chats with Allyson Fish, President, Chief Commercial Officer, Precision Fermentation at ADM; Kristin Richards, Director of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; and Chris Harbourt and Ken Paige, co-founders of Research Park startup Frenzy Ag. Panel topics include the Circular Bioeconomy: Bioprocessing in all its Applications; the Intersection of AgTech and FinTech; and Pushing the Frontiers of Computing to Solve Grand Challenges in Agriculture. A full agenda can be found online here. The AgTech Summit is hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park and is sponsored by John Deere, AGCO, Frenzy Ag, Illinois College of ACES, Buhler Group, Cooley, GDM, the Illinois/Champaign County Farm Bureau, Intersect Illinois, Pixo, the University of Illinois Foundation, NSF I-Corps Hub: Great Lakes Region, and Serra Ventures. For more information about the AgTech Summit and press opportunities, contact Laura Bleill.

    AgTech Innovation Summit celebrates 10th annual event Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks, Investments, Media Mentions, News, Recognition & Awards

    Research Park startups awarded Illinois Innovation Voucher funding for tech advancements

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    CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — Several University of Illinois Research Park startups and graduates have been awarded funding through the state’s Innovation Voucher Program, reinforcing the park’s role as a hub for innovation. Cache Energy, Eleuthra Photonics Inc., Epivara, Shothawk and TearDx are among the 35 recipients sharing $2.3 million in grants to advance cutting-edge research and development. “Through this grant program, we’re strengthening Illinois’ global status as an innovation hub and driving small business growth statewide,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By partnering with our higher education institutions, these small businesses will transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible products and services.” The program aims to foster collaboration by supporting the exchange of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment between Illinois Universities and businesses. This will ultimately boost the production of Illinois-based goods and services and drive economic growth across the state. The awarded companies are working on breakthrough technologies, from medical devices and energy storage to agricultural advancements. These collaborations leverage university resources to drive commercialization and economic growth.

    Research Park startups awarded Illinois Innovation Voucher funding for tech advancements Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks, News, Research Park

    New Podcast Episode: 2024 Year In Review

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    Research Park leaders Laura Appenzeller and Laura Bleill join the Innovations @ Research Park podcast to reflect on an incredible year of groundbreaking innovation and growth. This episode, hosted by Tanmay Shah, explores the key milestones and exciting advancements that made 2024 unforgettable. “This place [Research Park] is kind of like a family for a lot of people. We mentioned the international nature and flavor of the Research Park. For many people, Champaign-Urbana is a destination of people who didn’t grow up here, so this is a place where people find their ‘framily’ and we strive to provide opportunities for people to meet that way, Bleill said, when discussing the events within the Research Park. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights Champaign’s thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture. It is hosted by Tanmay Shah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus. Subscribe to The Innovations @ Research Park to catch up on the latest innovations and news on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast network. Is there something you want to know about Research Park? Do you have an idea for a guest for the show or a story we should pursue? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

    New Podcast Episode: 2024 Year In Review Read Post »

    Internships, News, Research Park

    Brunswick Student Interns Showcase Boating Tech at CES

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    CHAMPAIGN — Earlier this month, the Brunswick Boating Intelligence Design Lab, based at the University of Illinois Research Park, made waves at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The lab, which focuses on integrating cutting-edge technology into the boating industry, showcased its latest advancements with the help of University of Illinois Research Park student interns. CES is a technology showcase that brings together innovations across the tech landscape. Brunswick used the event to highlight its ‘boating intelligence’ initiative to advance its ACES strategy—autonomous, connected, electrified, and shared—by incorporating artificial intelligence and modern technologies into its products. At the showcase, Brunswick featured a 200-degree virtual boat helm simulator and a Fliteboard simulator, which allowed visitors to experience riding the company’s electric hydrofoil and the latest developments in its autonomous docking system. These exhibits attracted significant attention, with many participants visiting to try the simulators firsthand. Brunswick’s Research Park site interns played a vital role in the event. They presented the simulations and explained the technologies behind them to attendees. Jeffery Reifsnyder, the Boating Intelligence Design Lab director, praised their contributions. “The interns that we brought with us did a phenomenal job,” Jeffrey Reifsnyder said in a News-Gazette article. “The Brunswick booth was perpetually busy, and the simulators that the students worked on had a significant chunk of the foot traffic stopping at their areas. The students handled themselves well through all of it.”

    Brunswick Student Interns Showcase Boating Tech at CES Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks, Events, Investments, News, Research Park

    Calling AgTech Startups: Apply Now to Pitch at Champaign’s Agriculture and Food Startup World Cup Regional

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    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A regional qualifier for the global finale of the Startup World Cup will take place as part of the 10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit on March 6 in Champaign. The pitch competition will give 10 entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their ideas at the AgTech Summit, one of the region’s largest and most recognized agtech conferences. The winner will receive travel expenses to compete for a chance to win a $1 million investment at the Startup World Cup competition in October. The application platform will be open until Wednesday, Feb. 5. Startups selected to participate in the regional event will be notified no later than Feb. 12. The Champaign Agriculture and Food Regional is a partnership between Serra Ventures, Gener8tor, the University of Illinois Research Park, Pegasus Tech Ventures and Startup World Cup. Click here to Apply!   About the AgTech Summit The AgTech Innovation Summit brings together leaders in agriculture technology, entrepreneurship, investment, and academia to address pressing agricultural challenges and explore emerging solutions. This interactive conference, occurring March 6, 2025, features dynamic panel discussions, keynote presentations, and valuable networking opportunities. Participants will gain insights into current agricultural technology trends while exploring future innovations that will shape the sector. To register for the 10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit visit the Research Park website. About the Startup World Cup The Startup World Cup is a global series of startup competitions and conferences, powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With over 100 regional events across 60+ countries, the competition culminates in a Grand Finale in Silicon Valley on October 17, 2025, where the top startups from each region will compete for a $1 million investment prize. For a complete list of regional events, visit: Startup World Cup. About Pegasus Tech Ventures Pegasus Tech Ventures is a leading global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, with over $2 billion in assets under management. Pegasus supports emerging technology companies worldwide by providing both intellectual and financial capital. They also offer a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large corporations looking to partner with cutting-edge startups. Learn more at Pegasus Tech Ventures.

    Calling AgTech Startups: Apply Now to Pitch at Champaign’s Agriculture and Food Startup World Cup Regional Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks, Graduates, Recognition & Awards

    EnterpriseWorks Graduate Ascent Integrated Tech Wins at the 23rd Annual Chicago Innovation Awards

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    EnterpriseWorks graduate Ascent Integrated Tech was named one of the winners of the 23rd Annual Chicago Innovation Awards, a celebration of the most innovative products and services in the Chicago region. The Chicago Innovation Awards recognize winners across all industries, including startups, corporations, not-for-profit, and more to demonstrate the breadth of innovation thriving in Illinois. Winners were celebrated on Thursday, November 14, 2024, during a ceremony held at the University of Illinois: Chicago Forum. As a winner, Ascent Integrated Tech will be celebrated on a global stage next summer when they ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City.  The top 100 finalists will also be awarded a scholarship to “The Practical Innovator” at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, an executive education course with a $2,500 value. Ascent Integrated Tech was founded at EnterpriseWorks in the Research Park by Paul Couston and Alex Gorsuch. Couston and Gorsuch designed a software program for first responders, including firefighters, special forces, and SWAT teams. The platform optimizes 3D tracking technology, placed inside helmets and bracelets, to provide commanders with critical information, such as their team’s location. These tracking sensors provide details about the team members’ health and environment, such as CO2 levels, humidity, and airborne metal oxide. Read a full news story about this on Ascent’s website, or view the full list of winners on the Chicago Innovation Awards website.

    EnterpriseWorks Graduate Ascent Integrated Tech Wins at the 23rd Annual Chicago Innovation Awards Read Post »

    Investments, Research Park

    Nominations Sought for 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism

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    CHAMPAIGN – Nominations are now being accepted for the fifth Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, recognizing an Illinois farmer for their role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the ag sector. View the nomination form here. The deadline for submission is February 1, 2025. Established in 2021 to honor the memory of GB Brandt, a legendary figure in the field of Illinois agriculture, the $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to a nominee who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices, crop growing processes, or product usage. The prize is a partnership between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and The BRANDT Foundation. The winner will be announced and recognized at the AgTech Innovation Summit, an annual event produced by the University of Illinois Research Park, on March 6, 2025. Those eligible for the Brandt Prize include Illinois farmers, growers, and producers or those engaged with Illinois farmers, growers, and producers. Nominees should be connected with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and/or its affiliates, including University of Illinois Extension. A full list of eligibility criteria is available in the nomination form. Andrew and Karlie Bowman, the minds behind the popcorn brand Pilot Knob Farms, were the fourth annual recipients of the Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism in March 2024. Working with the University of Illinois, the Bowmans developed new popcorn hybrids, resulting in specialty red and blue “hull-less” popcorn. The Bowmans  also pioneered an automated in-store popcorn demonstration unit. Read the full story on the Research Park website. Past Brandt Prize Winners About The BRANDT Foundation 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 farms, charities, and organizations in the areas where the company does business. About the AgTech Innovation Summit The AgTech Innovation Summit is an interactive conference where participants learn and share knowledge about the current state of AgTech and get a look into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. It is produced by the University of Illinois Research Park in partnership with the College of ACES and the Office of Corporate Relations. 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. Contacts Karl Barnhart, The BRANDT Foundation, karl.barnhart@brandt.coLaura Bleill, Research Park, lwbleill@illinois.edu

    Nominations Sought for 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Read Post »

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