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    Community Events News Research Park

    Mondelez International opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (April 9, 2025) – Mondelēz International, one of the world’s largest snack companies, has opened an innovation center at the University of Illinois Research Park, its first on a college campus.    Mondelēz FutureLab aims to leverage forward-thinking perspectives from students across multiple disciplines. By leveraging the abilities and unfiltered imagination of students, Mondelēz seeks to identify disruptive concepts, experiment with emerging technologies, and challenge conventional product development processes.   FutureLab provides interns with campus resources, flexible innovation processes, and support to help materialize their innovative ideas, and to test their magical hypotheses.  “By embracing unconventional collaborations, Mondelēz reinforces its position as leading the future of snacking, driving superior innovation that meets the evolving needs of consumers in a rapidly changing world ,” said Marylena Meza, SVP R&D Strategy & Excellence of Mondelēz. “This initiative not only strengthens Mondelēz’s commitment to fostering innovation, it also provides students with invaluable hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to see their ideas come to life.”    FutureLab opened with a small team of research and development professional leaders from within the company. When fully occupied, FutureLab will host a team of University of Illinois student interns working year-round.  “Mondelēz is eager to tap into student insights to develop products and experiences that resonate with emerging consumer preferences, and where better to do that than our land grant institution – a state focused on ag and food innovation,” said Dr. Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “With Mondelēz’s Chicago roots, there’s all the more reason to be optimistic about the future of the state’s booming bioeconomy.”   Students will have the opportunity to work on new and evolving research projects that will bring together traditional sciences and other disciplines such as music and arts, leveraging digital approaches. Interns will gain industry experience while making real contributions to internal corporate R&D programs, skills that will benefit students as they move forward in their careers.   The site is led by Michelle Firrell, who has over 17 years of progressive experience in leading scientific and technical teams, shaping research programs, and driving operations for global organizations.  About Mondelēz International Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on LinkedIn at Mondelēz International: Overview | LinkedIn  About the Research Park at the University of Illinois  The Research Park at the University of Illinois 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. Follow the company on LinkedIn at UIResearchPark. 

    Mondelez International opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Read Post »

    Community Events News

    Nutrien Ag Solutions Opens Innovation Farm in Champaign County

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Nutrien Ag Solutions has opened a cutting-edge Innovation Farm in Champaign County. The farm celebrated its grand opening on March 20, showcasing the latest agricultural technology and sustainability practices. The new 250-acre state-of-the-art facility is designed to serve as a testing ground for advanced farming solutions, offering a hands-on space to explore real-world applications of agtech and data science. It is the newest addition to Nutrien’s Innovation Farm Network, and the fourth of its kind nationwide. The Tolono site is transitioning the company’s operations into the broader Champaign community, from its previous location in the University of Illinois Research Park. Nutrien Ag first entered the Research Park in 2018 after acquiring Agrible, a digital agriculture company specializing in advisory tools and data science for farmers. The EnterpriseWorks graduate’s growth from fewer than 10 employees to nearly 50 in under a year highlighted its growth, development, and outreach potential. Maintaining its presence at Research Park, post-acquisition, Nutrien Ag leveraged the university’s ecosystem and talent pipeline to further its sustainability, data science, and digital agronomy innovations. “We call this ‘research at the speed of farming,” Jeff Tarsi, Nutrien executive vice president and president of global retail, told the News-Gazette. “It’s our ability to do replications to fiscally sound experiments on real farms and in real farm environments to collect the data and allow our growers to replicate it on their own farms.” The Champaign Innovation Farm has a weather studio, a green screen, and media capabilities to deliver localized forecasts to growers through YouTube and social media. The site also has 10-mile panoramic views and can generate regionally relevant forecasts for global markets such as South America and Asia. The multi-purpose site will cover a range of focuses, including equipment testing, agronomic trials, environmental science, and hands-on demonstrations. “I think the whole idea about community, we could do this technology innovation anywhere, but you get the most value out of it when you’re in the same locations as where your products are going to actually provide value,” Kent McDaniel, Cornbelt regional manager, told the News-Gazette. In addition to supporting local farmers, the Champaign Innovation Farm aims to engage the broader community. Nutrien leaders have invited area schools, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and the Illinois Soybean Growers Association to use the space for education and outreach. This transition marks a new beginning for the company and the broader Champaign County community, building on its legacy of innovation and growth at the Research Park.  Nutrien Ag Solutions In 2018, Nutrien Ag Solutions acquired EnterpriseWorks graduate Agrible. Agrible celebrated its grand opening in 2015. Agrible’s products include Morning Farm Report®, Spray Smart®, Nutrient Engine, and Find My Seed®, which are accompanied by numerous other complementary digital and mobile offerings. Nutrien Ag Solutions is committed to being the leading provider of agricultural inputs in each of its markets. Advancements in technology have allowed for more effective growing methods while minimizing environmental impacts. As they have welcomed more operations and expanded product and service offerings, their reach has extended globally.

    Nutrien Ag Solutions Opens Innovation Farm in Champaign County Read Post »

    Features Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Brunswick Site Manager Jeffrey Reifsnyder named to Boating Industry 40 Under 40

    Jeffey Reifsnyder, Brunswick Boating Intelligence Design Lab’s site manager and Advanced Technology Director, was recently recognized on the Boating Industry magazine’s 40 Under 40 list.  Reifsnyder joined Brunswick’s Research Park team in January 2024. The BI DesignLab works with Brunswick’s corporate office to further accelerate the company’s progress in modernizing the recreational boating experience with autonomous docking technology, AI-powered virtual agents for marine applications, and more. “At the Lab, we have anywhere from 10 to 30 interns [who] work with us throughout the year,” said Reifsnyder. “It’s an opportunity…to give to the future by investing in the interns. My hope is that I can inspire the next generation…to not just join the industry, but bring passion and innovation to it.” Learn more about the 40 Under 40 Program, which highlights leaders from a diverse array of recreational boating industry segments, on the Boating Industry website.

    Brunswick Site Manager Jeffrey Reifsnyder named to Boating Industry 40 Under 40 Read Post »

    Events Research Park

    10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit Recap

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Research Park’s 10th Annual AgTech Summit on Thursday, March 6, 2025 fostered conversations surrounding the most pressing AgTech trends, including fintech, computing, and more. Moderators and panelists represented a wide spectrum of AgTech, including leaders from the State of Illinois, the agtech industry, startups, and more.  A major highlight of the Summit was the inaugural Startup World Cup Agriculture & Food Regional. This event brought together 10 innovative startups from seven states for a chance to win the Startup World Cup finale in October. Keep reading for a recap of the AgTech Summit. The event kicked off with opening remarks from our hosts and community leaders. Laura Appenzeller, the Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois opened the day by highlighting Champaign-Urbana’s role as the heart of agriculture land and recognizing the history of the AgTech Summit. Then, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones spoke about the importance of radical collaborations in agriculture for the U. of I. The day’s first panel focused on The Circular Bioeconomy: Bioprocessing in all its Applications. Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at the University of Illinois, moderated this discussion, featuring Bühler Group Director of Innovation Thierry Duvanel, L’Oréal Chief Open Innovation/Open Excellence Officer Mohamed Kanji, and Black & Veatch Solutions Manager Jeremy Owen. After The Circular Bioeconomy, the first fireside chat started, spotlighting ADM‘s Chief Commercial Officer of Precision Fermentation, Allyson Fish. Fish sat down with moderator Beth Conerty, the Regional Innovation Officer at IBRL and iFAB.  The program then shifted to the presentation of the Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize, which recognizes a University of Illinois entrepreneur focused on agricultural innovations. This year’s winner was Boston Bioprocess, an EnterpriseWorks startup that offers full-suite fermentation and downstream processing services at benchtop and pilot-scale. “It’s been a real pleasure to see them take over one lab after the next at the incubator, and one hire after the next, building an amazing team and startup company that is thriving,” said Laura Appenzeller. https://youtu.be/PRpUj_62EkE?si=oeid3sgPS7Gycbqp The second panel, The Intersection of AgTech & FinTech was moderated by John Reid, the Executive Director at the Center for Digital Agriculture. The panel covered the intersection between finance and agriculture, featuring HarvestIQ Vice President of Product Strategy Eric Barnard, Farmland Stock Exchange Co-founder and CEO Brian Kearney, Compeer Financial Director of New Markets Mary Morgan and CNH Industrial CX Business Product Owner Jennifer Whisman. After a break for lunch and a University department showcase, Research Park Talent Manager Bryan Goode and the AGCO Acceleration Center’s Business Site Lead Karandeep Singh shared how Research Park participated in HackIllinois‘ annual Hackathon on February 28 to March 2.  That was followed by a fireside chat with Kristin Richards, the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Laura Appenzeller moderated this discussion about AgTech and government policy, business, and more.  The final panel of the day discussed Pushing the Frontiers of Computing to Solve Grand Challenges in Agriculture. Bayer‘s Head of Data, Systems, and Intelligence for Plant Biotech Mark Moran moderated panelists in a discussion of how computing is applied in the AgTech industry. Panelists included Intersect Illinois SVP, Chief Quantum Officer Preeti Chalsani, John Deere Senior Manager of Data Science Jarai Carter, ACES Gardner Associate Professor of Agricultural Policy Jonathan Coppess and Chicago Biomedical Consortium Executive Director Michelle Hoffmann. Wolf Creek Farm was awarded the 2025 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism. “[Wolf Creek Farm] has taken innovation to heart,” said Alex Lovdahl, award presenter and Director of Insights and Analytics at BRANDT. The farm “seamlessly integrates sustainable growing methods, self-designed equipment and precision agriculture to maximize efficiency and quality.” This award presentation was followed by Startup World Cup‘s Agriculture & Food Regional competition, featuring pitches from the following startups:  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. Congratulations to Champaign-based startup EarthSense for winning the 2025 Startup World Cup Agriculture and Food Regional.  The final fireside chat featured Chris Harbourt, CEO of Frenzy Ag, and Ken Paige, Founder, Chief Science Officer and President of Frenzy Ag. The discussion was moderated by EnterpriseWorks Director of Entrepreneurship Gerald Wilson. The 2025 AgTech Innovation Summit concluded with a Tech Showcase of local startups and area innovators during a networking reception. The AgTech Summit is free thanks to its generous sponsors John Deere, AGCO, the College of ACES, Frenzy Ag, Buhler Group, Cooley, GDM, Intersect Illinois, the Illinois/Champaign County Farm Bureau, the University of Illinois Foundation, Pixo and the NSF I-Corps Hub. The AgTech Summit is hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park with support from the University of Illinois, the College of ACES, and the Office of Corporate Relations.

    10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit Recap Read Post »

    Graduates News Recognition & Awards

    EarthSense wins Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional competition

    CHAMPAIGN, IL. (March  06, 2025)—A distinguished panel of investors named EarthSense the winner of the inaugural Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional pitch competition, earning the Champaign-based startup the opportunity to compete for a $1 million investment at the Startup World Cup finale in October.   The regional, held at the 10th Annual AgTech Summit in Champaign, was hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park in partnership with Serra Ventures, gener8tor, and Pegasus Tech Ventures.   “This is a huge endorsement of all the impressive work the EarthSense team has been doing, and the amazing pull we’re seeing for our agricultural sustainability solutions from all parts of the world,” said EarthSense CEO Chinmay Soman, who delivered the winning pitch.   Champaign-based EarthSense, an EnterpriseWorks incubator startup graduate with operations at the University of Illinois Research Park, develops AI-powered farming robots and farming-as-a-service solutions to address labor shortages, rising costs, and climate challenges. It has sales in North America, Southeast Asia, and South America.  The Startup World Cup is a global pitch competition that brings together innovative startups across various industries. EarthSense will travel to the Startup World Cup finale in Silicon Valley, thanks to expenses paid courtesy of Serra Ventures.  This year marks the first time the Startup World Cup has included a regional focused exclusively on agriculture and food technology. Ten startups from seven states—Arizona, California, Indiana, Delaware, Illinois, New York, and Georgia—competed in the event, presenting their startups to a panel of distinguished investors.    Judges included:   Karin O’Connor — Venture Partner at Serra Ventures  Alex Russomagno — Senior Manager at AGCO Ventures  Henry Heitzer — Director at Earth Foundry  Nancy Sullivan — CEO & Managing Director at Illinois Ventures  Derick Jiwan — Innovation & Business Development Manager at WinField United   EarthSense integrates robotics and machine learning to improve agricultural efficiency and sustainability. TerraSentia, an autonomous agricultural robot, enhances field data collection with accurate, cost-effective, and high-speed under-canopy plant trait analysis, providing actionable insights for crop breeders and agronomists. The startup has expanded globally while remaining firmly rooted in the Research Park ecosystem.  About the AgTech Summit  The AgTech Innovation Summit brings together leaders in agricultural technology, entrepreneurship, investment, and academia to address pressing agricultural challenges and explore emerging solutions. This interactive conference hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park features dynamic panel discussions, keynote presentations, and valuable networking opportunities. To learn more about 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. 

    EarthSense wins Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional competition Read Post »

    News Recognition & Awards

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

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (March 6, 2025) — 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 »

    EnterpriseWorks Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Boston Bioprocess Wins 2025 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize

    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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRpUj_62EkE 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

    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

    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

    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 »

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