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    Events

    Community EnterpriseWorks Events Graduates Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Inaugural Founders Week at Research Park Celebrates Illinois Entrepreneurship 

    Inaugural Founders Week at Research Park Celebrates Illinois Entrepreneurship CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (October 21, 2024) – The inaugural Founders Week, held Oct. 17-19 at Research Park, was an inspiring celebration of innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Entrepreneurship is a team sport,” said EnterpriseWorks Director of Entrepreneurship Gerald Wilson. “Founders Week is a recognition that we are all co-founders of the future of Illini Entrepreneurship.” Wilson was a key proponent in organizing the event, working closely with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Illinois Ventures, the Technology Entrepreneur Center, and more partners across campus. Founders Week highlighted the university’s role in fostering groundbreaking ventures, which consistently ranks in the top five nationally for number of companies founded, founders, and capital raised. The event brought together founders, Illini Angels, active investors, ecosystem leaders, faculty, and students interested in entrepreneurship. View the event booklet for more event highlights and relevant resources Thursday, October 17 The Founders Week celebration kicked off with a Summit on Capitalizing New Ventures on Thursday, Oct. 17. Speakers led discussions on capital formation, attraction, and allocation to fund companies. The Summit was followed by a Founders Sandbox at, including a pitch workshop. Simultaneously, a campus tour took attendees through spaces on campus that are inventing the future, including the Institute of Genomic Biology, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab, and EnterpriseWorks. That evening, the first “live” TechRise pitch competition in central Illinois invited historically underrepresented founders to compete for a $25,000 cash prize. Finalists included. Finalist: Oscar Azofeifa, PowerBox Technology, CEO Finalist: Aryan Indarapu, AVEA Robotics, CEO Finalist: Shrikar Lekkala, MetaFrazo, CEO & Founder Finalist: Ohm Vyas, ShotHawk, Co-Founder Winner: Tessabella Magliochetti, AmnioAlert, President & Co-Founder Thursday’s events concluded with EnterpriseWorks’ 20th Anniversary Homecoming Dinner. Friday, October 18 On Friday morning, Illini Angels held its meeting to foster community for experienced entrepreneurs and investors who invest in and mentor Illini founders. If you are interested in learning more about or joining this group, contact Paul Magelli. Later that morning, the Founders Technology Showcase began. This all-day event included panels, fireside chats, and more highlighting the hottest technologies being spun out of university research labs. Following the Founders Technology Showcase, a networking reception and startup expo allowed participants to meet more companies and turn Illini pride into a connected community Saturday, October 19 The final day of Founders Week included an Illinois Football Tailgate at EnterpriseWorks preceding the Illinois football game against Michigan at 2:30 p.m. Find more event photography in the Founders Week media gallery.

    Inaugural Founders Week at Research Park Celebrates Illinois Entrepreneurship  Read Post »

    Events Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Caterpillar Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, Illinois (Sept. 3, 2024) – Caterpillar Inc. today marked a significant milestone at the University of Illinois Research Park – 25 years of the Champaign Innovation Center. Caterpillar first opened an office at the Urbana-Champaign campus in 1999 to work with Caterpillar product groups, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and University departments. Since that time, the Champaign Innovation Center has developed into a leading engineering hub for virtual product development, advanced simulation, data analytics and design solutions, while simultaneously contributing to Caterpillar’s recruiting efforts and talent pipeline building. “We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Research Park,” said Otto Breitschwerdt, Caterpillar Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President. “The Champaign Innovation Center is a place where academia and industry meet, and these diverse perspectives result in the development of new and exciting technologies.” Caterpillar has engaged students across campus to tackle the company’s core innovation challenges, providing experiential learning opportunities through an apprenticeship approach. Students learn and grow alongside full-time Caterpillar professionals in Champaign and on site at other company locations. The model has provided a blueprint replicated by many other corporate innovation centers at Research Park. “This milestone anniversary signifies the deeply intentional and impactful relationship between Caterpillar and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, truly one of our cornerstone industry partners,” said Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “As we look ahead to the future of innovation, we are confident that, together, we can provide opportunities for the next generation of talent and technology.”The company marked the anniversary with a celebration at its Research Park offices, bringing back past interns and company alumni. About Caterpillar Inc. With 2023 sales and revenues of $67.1 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html. About the Research Park at the University of Illinois The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub that cultivates startups and advances corporate innovation. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing both students and full-time technology professionals. Learn more on the Research Park website.

    Caterpillar Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Read Post »

    Community Events Research Park

    Research Park Softball League: Caterpillar wins championship in dramatic finish

    The Research Park Softball League concluded with a memorable championship game on Monday, July 29. After a season of spirited competition and camaraderie among the 149 participants, the Champaign Caterpillar Innovation Center team emerged victorious in the tournament-style bracket, featuring six teams. This year’s final match was nothing short of spectacular. In a remarkable display of perseverance, the Caterpillar team was down 9-2 in the second inning. However, they staged a comeback, ending with a walk-off three-run homer from Alex Brockcamp. Brockcamp’s game-winning hit secured their victory and provided them with a full-season winning streak, having not lost a single game throughout the season. The final score reflected their hard-fought effort and earned them the championship title, making this win especially notable just before their 25th-anniversary celebration. The league’s growth and success in fostering a strong sense of community among participants from various companies were evident throughout the season. All teams’ dedication and hard work were commendable; each team displayed exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and determination, making every game an exciting contest. “The Research Park softball league is an excellent opportunity to build camaraderie between full-time and student employees alike,” said John Deere Technology Innovation Center‘s James Kabbes, the 2024 softball league commissioner. “I love seeing employees learn the rules for the first time, practice with their teammates, and compete in friendly games against other companies in the park.” Special thank you to all the companies who participated in the Softball League:

    Research Park Softball League: Caterpillar wins championship in dramatic finish Read Post »

    Community Events Internships Recognition & Awards

    Research Park Honors Innovative Interns at 18th Annual Awards Ceremony

    The 18th Annual Research Park Intern Awards Ceremony, which celebrates the contributions of exceptional student interns at Research Park corporate innovation centers and startups, took place on July 25, aptly coinciding with National Intern Day. The awards ceremony brings together interns representing diverse skill sets and industry sectors, as well as their managers and colleagues. It reflects the overall depth and breadth of excellence of intern work that occurs daily at Research Park. Awards were given in the following categories: Best Startup Intern Best Technical Innovation Best Business Innovation Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student Intern Most Outstanding Graduate Student Intern Most Competent and Collaborative Team Among the notable projects showcased was an intern who developed a prototype web software for Life Cycle Assessment calculations without prior experience in software development, improving company processes by approximately 90%. Another standout project involved a group of interns who developed an interactive, immersive boating simulator using a blend of computer graphic software development, UI/UX design, data integration, and hardware development. Shivani Birwadkar, who won the Best Technical Innovation award, expressed her gratitude for the recognition and reflected on how the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects has significantly impacted her professional growth. “I am deeply honored to have been recognized with the Best Technical Innovation. My internship at ADM has been an incredible journey of learning and growth. From the groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of innovation to the supportive and inspiring team that constantly motivates each other, this experience has truly been one of the most rewarding of my career,” said Birwadkar, a Work Process Automation Intern at ADM Science and Technology Center. The ceremony and nominations highlighted the incredible talent within the Research Park community and underscored the vital role that internships play in fostering the next generation of industry leaders. “Winning an award is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of our interns,” said Laura Bleill, director of external engagement at the Research Park. “It’s not just about individual accomplishments but also about how these young professionals are shaping the future through their innovative projects and collaborative spirit.” Just being nominated for these awards is an accomplishment, said Bryan Goode, the Research Park talent manager. The judging process is intense. “Managers nominate individual interns or entire teams, and each nomination comes with a detailed essay highlighting their skills and achievements,” Goode said. “These essays are then reviewed by a diverse panel of judges who bring different expertise to the table. They look at everything from technical skills to soft skills to ensure each nomination receives a fair and thorough evaluation.” Best Startup Intern  Zoey Zhang | Boston Bioprocess | Bioprocess Development Intern | Masters in Bioprocessing and Bioenergy | Illinois Professional Science Master’s “She has been an integral part of our pilot plant team, leveraging her graduateeducation and prior experience to execute fermentation projects. She quickly adapted to our fast-paced culture, showing immense grit and dedication. Zoey demonstrated exceptional leadership by volunteering for late hours and weekends to meet deadlines. Her proactive approach allowed us to delegate tasks such as sampling, reactor setup, and data analysis, significantly boosting our team’s efficiency. Zoey optimized shake flask volumes and benchmarked fermenters’ oxygen transfer rates, providing valuable insights. Her proactive approach to personal and professional growth, combined with her dedication, resilience, and willingness to go above and beyond, makes her highly deserving of this award.” Finalists: Thanushree Ambati | Helixon | Bio-Tech Research Intern | Master in Cell and Developmental Biology | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Best Technical Innovation Shivani Birwadkar | ADM Science and Technology Center | Work Process Automation Intern | Masters in Information Management | School of Information Sciences “Shivani is an exceptional intern who demonstrated remarkable innovation by independently developing a web application for Life Cycle Assessment calculations using Python and JavaScript from scratch. Despite having no prior experience, her work improved process efficiency and reduced project execution time by approximately 90 percent, significantly streamlining operations. Shivani’s proactive approach and strong relationship-building earned the team’s trust, adding considerable value and enabling more simultaneous projects without compromising quality.” Finalists: Shubham More — Synchrony Emerging Technology Center — Emerging Technology Center Intern | Computer Science and Physics | Grainger College of Engineering Caleb Larson | AGCO Acceleration Center | Engineering Intern | Electrical & Computer Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Best Business Innovation Yijin Wang | Synchrony Emerging Technology Center | Emerging Technology Center Intern | Master’s Concentration in Analytics-Statistics | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences “Yijin truly exemplifies what it means to be a team player, shifting her focus based on the team’s needs and leveraging her technical, analytical acumen across multiple projects. She developed a measurement framework for assessing the incremental dollar impact of our paid media acquisition campaigns and supported clients with campaign reporting using Adobe and SAS. Tracy also led reporting for personalization stakeholders, quickly learning tools like Dynamic Yield. Despite resource constraints, Yijin ensured our team met all deliverables. Her framework addressed enterprise-level gaps in measuring campaign efficacy, advancing our enterprise initiative.” Finalists: Khushboo Choudhary | Synchrony Emerging Technology Center | Emerging Technology Center Intern | Master’s in Predictive Analytics & Risk Management | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Gabrielle Wilki | State Farm | RDC Intern | Computer Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student Intern Mayank Dubey | Rivian | Electrical Hardware Development Intern | Mechanical Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering “Mayank’s summer project at Rivian was a masterstroke in accelerating mechanical design and development. He developed an innovative framework to automate PCB design exploration, previously a manual task, using self-learning Python scripts—this breakthrough streamlined the process, catalyzing rapid innovation. His scripts empower engineers to perform complex finite element analysis (FEA) models, significantly boosting efficiency and minimizing errors. Despite lacking direct automotive experience, Mayank quickly absorbed new information and applied it effectively, consistently delivering noteworthy results with minimal guidance. His resilience, adaptability, and commitment to advancing despite challenges underscore his exceptional work ethic and

    Research Park Honors Innovative Interns at 18th Annual Awards Ceremony Read Post »

    Community Events Research Park

    America’s Seed Fund Road Tour visits the Research Park

    The Research Park hosted America’s Seed Fund Road Tour, an opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and small technology startups to explore over $4 billion in early-stage funding opportunities, on July 17. “We are on the front of cutting-edge breakthrough technologies,” said University of Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones, discussing the University of Illinois and the Research Park’s role in technology and economic development. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski also spoke at the event, discussing the recent Illinois Fermentation and Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Hub funding. “This region has so many companies that leverage this federal funding, bringing the cutting edge of technology, research, and development right here to our backyard…We need to be making continued investment and partnership with [innovators].” Champaign was one of five cities on the Road Tour’s Midwest swing, and the only stop not in a major metropolitan area. The event’s panels featured representatives from 22 federal agencies, including the USDA, USPTO, the Army, and NASA, who also held one-on-one meetings with entrepreneurs and innovators. The Illinois stop was sponsored by the Illinois Innovation Network, the Illinois Federal and State Technologies (FAST) Center, and the University of Illinois Research Park. It attracted entrepreneurs and researchers from all across Illinois and beyond. America’s Seed Fund Road Tour is a national outreach effort that conveys the technology funding opportunities provided through the U.S. Small Business Administration, America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. View the time-stamped agenda or keep reading for event highlights and relevant resources. The day opened with remarks from Laura Appenzeller, the Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park, and Dr. Gerald Wilson, the Director of EnterpriseWorks. Throughout the morning, organizations had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from federal agencies. Individuals could schedule 15-minute meetings in advance or walk-ins. “The one-on-one was amazing,” said Cezar Tondini, entrepreneur and founder of T-Sale Metals. “I had four meetings and everyone put me in the right direction. They gave me a lot of information…it was an amazing experience.” Government Agency Reverse Pitches included presentations on resources from the following agencies: One theme of the panel “Matching Your Project to an Agency” was the vast breadth of topics and projects that are eligible for government funding. “We have basically no topic limitations…the majority of our Phase I awards are to brand new companies in the SBIR world.” said Ben Schrag, panelist and SBIR/STTR Program Director and Policy Liaison at the NSF. He recommended these companies “think about the first user and the first value proposition” when submitting a proposal. “There are many ways to win, but no double dipping,” said moderator Nancy Kamei, SBIR Program Development Specialist. “You cannot take two awards for the same exact work.” This enables a vast array of companies to receive funding. Panelists also underscored the importance of reviewing feedback and trying again if a company’s application is denied. “You’ve done the hard work,” said panelist Jacki Gray, SBIR Program Manager of the Technology Partnerships Office at NIST. “You’re going to get feedback and that’s going to give you confidence to come back strong the next round.” “Inside the Head of an Evaluator” discussed project evaluation and was moderated by Elden Hawkes, Jr., SBA Partnership and Innovation Specialist, featuring panelists Shadi Azoum, Colleen Gibney, Gary Laier, and Bob Smith. Bob Smith, a National Program Leader at USDA explained that the USDA’s evaluators come from academia, industry, state governments, national and international experts, and more. These evaluators measure innovation when reviewing applications, looking for novel concepts with a combination of technology infusion potential and commercialization. To impress evaluators, companies should get to know the target audience, back up what they are promising with concrete knowledge, and plan ahead. “Don’t wait until the very last minute to submit your proposal,” said panelist Shadi Azoum, SBIR/STTR Program Manager at NAVWAR. Bob Smith also emphasized the importance of writing your application well in advance and then “give [it] to someone to review [and] make sure it flows well…You want to put your best foot forward.” “Finding Help and Support” moderator Katy Sly from the SBA and panelists Laura Appenzeller, Levi Kinnard, Molly Kocialski, and Ruth Shuman gave audience members help and support for the innovation journey. One critical area where innovators need support is intellectual property, a topic that presents lots of early risks. Molly Kocialski, the Regional Director at the Rocky Mountain USPTO said that “early risks have to do with disclosure.” There’s a one-year grace period for applying for patents, so it’s important to consider these things early on. Unlike other represented agencies, USPTO doesn’t offer funding, but it has lots of already paid-for services. Kocialski underscored the importance of asking for help by visiting an office or using USPTO’s free online IP Identifier. This panel recognized the challenges of an innovator’s journey and the features of federal programming that make it easier for entrepreneurs. “It’s a long timeline,” said panelist Ruth Shuman from the NSF I-Corps program. “Don’t give up because you got one rejection. Figure out what the next steps are, [and] be the person to plan…and work through a strategy that includes patents, capital, and SBIR support.” Several speakers shared about State of Illinois support programs, including: The event included two segments with four total breakout sessions, each moderated by Illinois FAST Center Consultants. Lightning presentations included: Thank you to the event sponsors: The Illinois Innovation Network, Illinois FAST (Federal and State Technologies) Center, and The University of Illinois Research Park. Thank you to the U.S. Small Business Administration and the event planning team, including Shelley Maves, Cheri Soliday, Illinois FAST Center leadership, and the Research Park team, for making this event possible.

    America’s Seed Fund Road Tour visits the Research Park Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Events Research Park

    Capital One, COUNTRY Financial Capture Top Prizes in Research Park Summer Hackathon

    Twelve teams of 69 total student interns competed in the second annual Research Park Hackathon on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. This 15-hour hackathon encouraged students to form cross-functional teams, build solutions, and showcase their projects. Winners for six awards were announced at the “Fire At Five” Happy Hour on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Hackathon:  The winning project, “Class Connect,” is a browser extension that enhances learning by providing questions and answers for students watching lecture videos. “We wanted to create a project that was both applicable and useful to us as college students,” said team member Ishaan Bhandari during Capital One’s presentation on Thursday. Watch Capital One demonstrate “Class Connect” below. This year’s Hackathon prompt was “Bring Your Own Data,” requiring participants to leverage data from the source of their choice to create data-centric projects, including websites, applications, and extensions. “This prompt is accessible to students from all majors and academic backgrounds,” said Hackathon organizer James Kabbes. “I am always impressed with what the students build in such a short amount of time!” Twelve companies participated in the Hackathon: AbbVie, AGCO Corporation, Ameren, Brunswick, Capital One, COUNTRY Financial, FrostDefense Envirotech, John Deere Technology Innovation Center, Kohler, Rivian, SeriesFarm, and State Farm. Individuals from these companies formed twelve teams, six of which were named finalists and presented to a panel of judges on Thursday, June 27. Finalists included Kohler‘s “Refugee Haven Search,” COUNTRY Financial‘s “GeoGroove,” AGCO+Ameren‘s “OccuPi,” Capital One‘s “Class Connect,” Rivian‘s “EV Charger Location Optimization,” and UIRP/EW‘s “Wandertunes.” Thank you to everyone who helped to organize and those who participated in this event, including judges Matt Ahrens (NVIDIA), Bryan Goode (Research Park), Dustin Mayfield-Jones (Research Park), and Jarai Carter (John Deere). A special thanks to John Deere software engineer James Kabbes for creating the event structure and developing the prompt. View photos from the event on this media gallery, or learn more about past and future Research Park Hackathons on this website page.

    Capital One, COUNTRY Financial Capture Top Prizes in Research Park Summer Hackathon Read Post »

    Community EnterpriseWorks Events Investments Media Mentions Recognition & Awards

    Nine Cozad New Venture Challenge Teams Receive Awards from EnterpriseWorks

    EnterpriseWorks and Research Park awarded the Student Startup Tenancy Prize to nine teams that competed in the 2024 Cozad New Venture Challenge. This prize, which was awarded to Pathlit, AVEA Robotics, Radiant Looms, AminoSense, ClimeCast, Provenance Security, SeriesFarm, Terravate Energy, and Med Terms, includes access to co-working space, conference rooms, common areas, support services, and entrepreneur assistance. Provenance Security and SeriesFarm received the Catapult Award of $5,000 to be used for startup professional services. ClimeCast, which joined EnterpriseWorks as a tenant earlier in the year, also won third place with a $25,000 investment. ClimeCast uses AI to optimize decarbonization strategy for commercial real estate. ClimeCast also won the Dr. Paul Magelli Innovation Award, Best Pitch at Finals, as well as the Student Startup Tenancy Prize. Cozad New Venture Challenge (CNVC) is a campus-wide program run by the Technology Entrepreneur Center that provides mentoring to teams through the phases of venture creation, and resources in idea validation, pitching skills, and customer development. Between the 200 registered teams, 11 campus colleges and 85 majors were represented. The 2024 CNVC kicked off with registration and kickoff events in January and continued throughout the spring semester with workshops, mentorship opportunities, and training for over 500 undergraduate and graduate students. Between the 200 registered teams, 11 campus colleges and 85 majors were represented. The Demo Day on Thursday, April 11, was held at the Illinois Conference Center and featured several members of EnterpriseWorks and Research Park judging student work. The program concluded on Wednesday, April 24, with a Year-End Celebration and Awards Ceremony at the Campus Instructional Facility. Past participants of the program include EnterpriseWorks graduates Cast21, DeepWalk, Mesh++, Prenosis, Psyonic, and Serionix, in addition to EnterpriseWorks startups Natrion and ZiteAI.

    Nine Cozad New Venture Challenge Teams Receive Awards from EnterpriseWorks Read Post »

    Events Research Park

    Escape Room by Leaps by Bayer Visits the Research Park

    This week, BAYER brought its fun and educational science-themed mobile escape room to Research Park. “Breaking Through Impossible – The Escape Game” is an agriculture-themed game that revolves around rescuing a biotech breakthrough. It is completed by solving puzzles and deciphering clues through collaborating with a team. It was open from April 23 through April 25, 2024, and was free for participants. “Previous stops have been events like SXSW and in cities such as Austin, San Francisco, Berlin, Boston, and New York, so we are thrilled to welcome this unique interactive escape room to Champaign,” said Laura Appenzeller, executive director of the University of Illinois Research Park. “While it’s open to people of all ages, high school and college students are particularly encouraged to participate.” The escape room was located directly outside Bayer’s Innovation Center at1904 S. First Street, next to the I-Hotel and Illinois Conference Center, in a bright blue shipping container. Teams of up to six people experienced the escape room, working together to solve a puzzle that took around 30 minutes to complete Find more information about the escape room on the Leaps by Bayer website or read WCIA News’ event coverage.

    Escape Room by Leaps by Bayer Visits the Research Park Read Post »

    Events Research Park

    LabWorks Opens, Epivara First Startup to Move into Growth-Stage Life Sciences Suites

    The Research Park is now home to a new address for growth-stage life sciences startups. The University marked the opening of LabWorks and its first tenant, a graduate from the EnterpriseWorks incubator, at a celebration and ribbon cutting on Tuesday, April 9. LabWorks offers turn-key wet lab and office suites for growth-stage startup companies in Research Park, enabling startups to establish roots and continue growing in the Champaign-Urbana community. “Things like this help this university stay relevant,” said Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives. Kidwell emphasized LabWorks’ key role in bridging the gap and enabling startups to get on the ground after their time in EnterpriseWorks. In 2021, the Research Park was awarded $550,000 funding through the Rebuild Illinois Wet Lab Capital Program (via the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) to create turn-key lab spaces for growth-stage agriculture and life science companies, and shorter-term leasing to industry partners/collaborators. In addition to the state’s contribution, LabWorks is a partnership between the University of Illinois Research Park and building landlord GRE UIRP LLC. In November 2023, the Champaign City Council approved a $100,000 investment in LabWorks, providing resources to bring the project to completion. “We have done what many communities are trying to duplicate. But the heart is here, with the heart of the state, with the heart of the region, and because of this kind of innovative work, will be the heart of the nation,” said Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons. Epivara is the first company to relocate into LabWorks. Founded by College of Veterinary Medicine Professor Jay Ko, the move to LabWorks signifies Epivara’s growth plans following its graduation from EnterpriseWorks. Wilson acknowledged the milestone of Epivara’s graduation from the EnterpriseWorks incubator into a location that will facilitate additional growth as an important accomplishment for the Champaign-Urbana community. “If we want companies like Epivara to remain in our community, in our region, and in our state, we have to continue to invest in the facilities they need at every stage of their growth, said Gerald O. Wilson, PhD, MBA, director of entrepreneurship. “Representing the culmination of a partnership between the University of Illinois Research Park, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and City of Champaign, LabWorks is a symbol of an understanding that these kinds of investments are an imperative in our economic development efforts at the university, municipality, and state-wide levels.” Learn more about the LabWorks ribbon cutting and Epivara grand opening in a recent News-Gazette article. About Epivara Founded in 2016 by Dr. Jay Ko of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine, Epivara is innovating better ways that pets are spayed and neutered worldwide. Epivara’s mission is to make life better for animals and humans through innovative science and compassionate care. The company has developed EpiFix, a low-cost injection to spay and neuter pets efficiently. Currently, this is the only alternative to spay and neuter surgery that works safely and permanently within seconds. Learn more at epivara.com. About LabWorks LabWorks provides affordable turn-key life science laboratory/office suites for growth-stage life science and agriculture companies in the Research Park. The $1.3 million build out was completed thanks to resources from the Rebuild Illinois Wet Lab Capital Program; the City of Champaign; the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers LLC; and landlord GRE UIRP LLC. See more pictures of the LabWorks space on the Research Park website.

    LabWorks Opens, Epivara First Startup to Move into Growth-Stage Life Sciences Suites Read Post »

    Events Research Park

    CABBI Greenhouse Construction is Making Progress

    The News-Gazette documented the construction progress of the CABBI greenhouse, which is expected to be finished by May 1, 2024. The building is located in the Research Park neighborhood at 1902 S. Fourth Street, next to the RIPE (Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency) Facility. The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) is a $252.5M U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center. Its mission is to “develop efficient ways to grow bioenergy crops, transform biomass into valuable chemicals, and market the resulting biofuels and other bioproducts.” The new greenhouse will create research and teaching opportunities, featuring a solar panel array, plant phenotyping facility, walk-in growth chambers, and more. Learn more about the CABBI construction progress on the News-Gazette website.  The groundbreaking for the CABBI greenhouse occurred on September 28, 2023. Learn more about the groundbreaking event on the Research Park website.

    CABBI Greenhouse Construction is Making Progress Read Post »

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