Features

EnterpriseWorks startup EarthSense and Vikram Adve, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois, were recently featured in a video that addressed scientists using robots to combat the world’s growing food crisis, produced by international media network Al Jazeera. At the University of Illinois Research Park, EarthSense is creating dramatic new possibilities for crop breeders, plant protection products developers, crop scientists, and field agronomists. TerraSentia, their first robot, improves the quantity, accuracy, cost, and speed of in-field plant trait data collection, specifically for under canopy plants. Instead of waiting for the rest of tech world to come up with a solution to the large-scale problem of food scarcity, the team at EarthSense are developing effective technology to improve the future of farming. Watch the full Al Jezeera feature below. Learn more about EarthSense and their mission here.

While Natrion CEO Alex Kosaykov, 22, may not technically be a UOI graduate yet, he knows watts up. On the most recent episode of ‘The Innovations @ Research Park’ podcast, Kosaykov and podcast host Tanmay Shah discussed the young CEO’s startup journey, which stemmed from an early interest in batteries and electrical cars, and their renewable components. What started off as a hobby for Kosaykov turned into a startup that now employs 19 people and is gaining recognition worldwide, including backing from Mark Cuban. The two also detailed overcoming some of the challenges that Natrion has faced being a smaller battery startup competing with others with much deeper pockets, and what motivates the CEO to get out of bed in the morning. This is an episode not to miss. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. It is hosted by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Tanmay Shah. 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).

The latest episode of The Innovations @ Research Park podcast features Susan Hinrichs, the Chief Scientist at Aviatrix, a company that drives hundreds of organizations toward smarter strategies with embedded cloud security.  Hinrichs may refer to herself as a Champaign ‘townie’ but her career path has led her to think and act globally. She completed her undergraduate education in computer science here at UIUC, and then pursued a PhD at Carnegie Mellon. Her background is in computer security and her resume includes time spent at Yahoo, The Apache Software Foundation, Verizon Media, and Cisco Systems. In addition, she returned to Champaign in the role of lector and taught classes on computer and network security.  During the episode, Hinrichs and podcast host Tanmay Shah spoke on how to optimize your professional experiences and maintain connections, and touched on what it is like to be a woman in tech. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. It is hosted by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Tanmay Shah. 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).

The newest episode of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features Brandon Yates, Founder and CEO of DeepWalk, a company which is the product of the entrepreneurship programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and the University of Chicago. Founded in 2019, the company participated in university-sponsored programs such as the Cozad New Venture Challenge NSF iCorps, iVenture Accelerator, and Polsky College New Venture Challenge.  Brandon and his team are on a mission to create AI-powered solutions for the city planners and engineers that build important public infrastructure that we rely on every day.  In this episode of Innovations at Research Park, host Tanmay Shaw speaks with Brandon Yates, about how Artificial Intelligence technology can help simplify public works compliance.  He explains how their AI platform removes the need for manual input, reduces the number of data points, and automates compliance with multiple standards. He also shares examples of how the technology has been successfully employed by different sectors, including transportation and energy.  Brandon provides insight into the future of DeepWalk as they continue to create innovative solutions for customers. This episode provides a great overview of the company’s AI platform and how it can help public works compliance processes. To listen to more of the conversation that Tanmay Shaw had with Brandon Yates about his journey Simplifying Public Works Compliance with AI, tune in to the latest edition of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast. To listen to the podcast, visit Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts. 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? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

The newest episode of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features Paul Miller, an EnterpriseWorks Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Co-Founder of Agrible, a company that provides real-time agronomic information and sustainable solutions through long-term, scalable sustainability programs for growers, ag-retailers, and consumer packaged goods companies to take action. Miller, who started his career as a software engineer, has since founded numerous companies. He has found success in the technology industry, first with his startup, Motivote, and then with Flats or Spikes.  In the podcast, Miller discussed the importance of having a team of diverse people from different backgrounds and perspectives. He also spoke about the need to be resilient and take risks to achieve success.  “I’m a huge believer in taking risks and learning from failure,” said Miller. “If something doesn’t work, you have to find a different way to get the job done. Don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box.”  Miller also emphasized the need to listen to customers and understand their needs. He explained that customer feedback can provide valuable insights into how to improve products and services.  “It’s important to really listen to your customers and understand their needs,” said Miller. “You have to take their feedback into account and use it to make your products and services better. That’s how you create a better product that people want to use.” Miller’s podcast is the latest in a series of podcasts from Innovations at Research Park, which seeks to highlight the success stories of entrepreneurs and innovators in the research park and beyond. To listen to more of the conversation that Tanmay Shaw had with Paul Miller about his journey as a serial entrepreneur and learn more details about his company, tune in to the latest edition of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast. To listen to the podcast, visit Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts. 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? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

The most recent episode of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast features interviews held on-location with several panelists and speakers from the Research Park’s 8th annual AgTech Summit held on March 7, 2023. They include: Kim Kidwell – Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at UIUC. Discusses UIUC’s continued presence in agtech innovation, among other topics. Brad Arnold- SVP, General Manager Precision, AGCO Corporation. Discusses trends in precision ag and data management among other topics. Michael Tai- Co-founder & CEO, Boston Bioprocess. Discusses importance of bioprocessing techniques for agricultural and non-food products such as alternative proteins, among other topics. Eric Barnard- Co-Founder and CTO at Farmers Risk. Discusses farmer risk management through advanced analytics, among other topics. Dennis Beard- Managing Partner & Tim Hoerr – CEO, Serra Ventures. Discusses venture capital investment in agtech space, among other topics. Nick Reinke- CEO, HabiTerre. Discusses quantifying agricultural outcomes, among other topics. Listen to host Tanmay Shaw’s conversations had with innovators live from the AgTech Innovation Summit in the latest edition of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast. To listen to the podcast, visit Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts. 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? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).