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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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    Disrupting the Marine Industry with Tech: Podcast Explores Brunswick I-Jet Lab

    The latest episode of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features the intern experience at the Brunswick I-Jet Lab, an innovation center focused on implementing technology solutions to advance the recreational marine industry. Host Tanmay Shaw facilitates a discussion with Trevor George, Site Director for the Brunswick Corporation’s I-JET Lab; and Meghan Reynolds, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign computer science/philosophy major, who is a software engineering intern. The Brunswick I-Jet Lab at the University of Illinois Research Park works on prototypes to modernize and improve customer experience. Brunswick is an industry leader in the marine space. The company, based in northern Illinois, manufactures recreational boats, marine engines, and other products. Tune in to this episode to hear about what Brunswick works on at the Research Park, the company’s recent CES Show display and how interns participated in its development, and the overall intern experience. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. Its host is Tanmay Shah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus. To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes 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? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

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    Community EnterpriseWorks Features News Research Park

    Innovations @ Research Park Podcast: The Importance of Design with Designer-in-Residence Deana McDonagh

    Episode 8 of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features EnterpriseWorks Designer-in-Residence and University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Professor Deana McDonagh. Dr. McDonagh is an experienced strategist who works with EnterpriseWorks startups to help them incorporate design thinking in their development workflow, in order to improve user experience and create delightful products. Tune in to the episode to hear about her journey, perspective on design in tech, and what kind of support she offers to  entrepreneurs at EnterpriseWorks. You can catch this episode of Innovations @ Research Park on iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you may prefer to listen to your podcasts.  Do you have questions about Research Park? 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)

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    Features Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Starfire Industries Named a Top 10 Non-Destructive Testing Company

    Starfire Industries was named one of 2021’s top 10 non-destructive testing companies by Manufacturing Outlook Magazine. Based at the University of Illinois Research Park, the company specializes in innovative plasma engineering across a range of markets, including aerospace, defense, nuclear, homeland security, and manufacturing semiconductors. Starfire Industries uses a process that combines physics, math, chemistry, and biology to create a strategy for inspecting, examining, and testing materials for flaws, defects, and more. “Starfire Industries’ portable particle accelerators and neutron generators are not only enabling greater particle utilization for inspection and testing but also lowering the cost of implementation, transportation, and operation for industrial clients,” said Manufacturing Outlook Magazine. Four-time University of Illinois alumnus Brian Jurczyk is the co-founder and CEO/President of Starfire Industries. Under his leadership, the company has grown from EnterpriseWorks startup (graduating in 2009) to have 14,000 sq. ft. of offices and production space in the University of Illinois Research Park. It now employs about 35 individuals. “As portable products can be easily transported between locations, the clients can easily leverage them for their inspection and testing needs at their desired locations, whether it is for product testing, elemental analysis, cargo inspection, radiography, downhole well inspection, and much more; the possibilities are endless,” Jurczyk said to Manufacturing Outlook Magazine.

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    Using Technology to Improve the Lives of First Responders: Innovations @ Research Park Podcast with Ascent Integrated Tech CEO

    Episode 7 of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features Paul Couston, CEO of Ascent Integrated Tech. The EnterpriseWorks-based startup is using and building technology to improve the safety conditions of those who work in various hazardous environments, such as firefighters, industrial operators, and SWAT members.  In this interview Couston, a well-known figure in the student start-up community and entrepreneurial scenes at UIUC, gives us a glimpse of his own journey as a young entrepreneur while being an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, talks us through the innovations going on at Ascent Integrated Tech, and offers fellow young entrepreneurs, especially college students, valuable advice about what it takes to live the entrepreneurial, start-up life.  Couston offers “useful information for entrepreneurs on strategy and practical advice”, and lets us in on why college is the perfect time to jump in and start a company. You can catch this episode of Innovations @ Research Park on iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you may prefer to listen to your podcasts.  Do you have questions about Research Park? 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)

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    EnterpriseWorks Features News Research Park

    “Redefining Human” through Advanced Prosthetics: Innovations @ Research Park Podcast Episode with PSYONIC CEO

    Episode 6 of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast features an interview with  Aadeel Ahktar, CEO and founder of advanced prosthetics startup PSYONIC. Ahktar sheds light on his exhilarating entrepreneurial journey, from winning startup competitions to partnering with U.S. Army sergeants to being selected as a MIT Top 35 Under 35 Innovator. He also dives into ways in which he and his team overcame significant obstacles and where he thinks the prosthetics industry is headed next. The PSYONIC Ability Hand — the world’s fastest and first touch-sensitive bionic hand — will be available to users and clinicians nationwide on September 1, 2021. 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. To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes 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? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

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    EnterpriseWorks Features Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    PSYONIC CEO Named to MIT Technology Review’s 35 Under 35

    Aadeel Akhtar, CEO of EnterpriseWorks startup PSYONIC, was named to the MIT Technology Review’s list of 35 Innovators Under 35 for 2021. The MIT Technology Review recognized Akhtar as a humanitarian for his innovative approach to designing prosthetics. PSYONIC’s premiere product, the Ability Hand, was released in 2019. The Ability Hand was the first commercially available prosthetic hand to include multitouch sensory feedback. The device utilizes electrical currents to stimulate nerves allowing users to “feel”  what the prosthetic touches. Akhtar launched PSYONIC in 2015 and the company moved into EnterpriseWorks in 2018. PSYONIC has experienced great success since the company launch. Their accomplishments include, winning the Illinois Innovation Prize in 2016, a mention in the Forbes list of 30 under 30, and first place at the 8VC Social Innovation Cup in 2019. Each year the MIT Technology Review publishes a list of 35 Innovators Under 35; more than 500 people are nominated to be included annually. The work of the nominated individuals is then evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges who select the final list. MIT Technology Review acknowledged Akhtar’s commitment to both functionality and affordability. PSYONIC products are inexpensive enough to be covered by Medicare which makes them available to 75 percent of individuals in the US who need them. The prosthetics are also built to withstand the stresses of everyday life without cracking. Akhtar received his PhD in Neuroscience and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois. Read more about Akhtar and PSYONIC in 35 Innovators Under 35 here: https://bit.ly/3xkF8bm

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    Community EnterpriseWorks Features News Research Park

    Innovations @ Research Park Podcast Episode 4: Transforming Cancer Care with SimBioSys

    The University of Illinois Research Park launched Episode 4 of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast. The podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. Episode 4 features John Cole, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of Research Park startup SimBioSys. Cole joined the show to discuss the SimBioSys mission, team dynamic, and product strategy. During the episode, Cole describes the SimBioSys mission as “ helping personalize decision making for cancer patients”.  The company strives to do this using predictive modeling technology. The SimBioSys team developed a system that builds a comprehensive model of each patient’s tumor to simulate how it responds to different treatments. This technology is valuable because it allows physicians to try out different therapies before administering them to the patient. Episode 3 of the podcast can be accessed here. 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). To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts.

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    EnterpriseWorks Features Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Epivara Featured on WCIA 3 News for SBIR Award

    Epivara, a startup based at EnterpriseWorks, was recently featured on WCIA 3 News after receiving a $255,000 SBIR Phase I award from the National Science Foundation. Rex Hess, Epivara’s Director of Science, was interviewed in this news story, and he explained Epivara’s iSpay/iNeuter technology. This funding will go towards the creation of an injection that would act as a permanent alternative to spaying and neutering for cats and dogs. The Research Park is proud to support the Epivara startup team as they continue to develop this technology. Find the full story here: https://bit.ly/EpivaraWCIA

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    EnterpriseWorks Features Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks Verizon 5G Innovation Hub Highlighted by EdTech Magazine

    Ed Tech Magazine’s Summer 2021 edition features a two-page spread telling the story of the Verizon 5G Innovation Hub at the University of Illinois Research Park. The article details how the hub became the first of its kind on a college campus, and discusses the advantages of the hub for both the private sector and university researchers. “The result of a partnership with Verizon, the Innovation Hub is bringing together small startups, large companies and university researchers and students to collaborate on new use cases for 5G, says Laura Frerichs, executive director of the Research Park. “My hope is that both our companies and our researchers are able to invent ahead of others what’s possible with 5G,” she says. “Rather than talk about the technology in terms of hypotheticals, they will be able to try it out and learn from each other.”

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    Community Features News Research Park

    Innovations @ Research Park Podcast Episode 2: Research Park Origins, Impact, and Student Talent Pipeline

    The University of Illinois Research Park launched Episode 2 of the Innovations @ Research Park podcast. The podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. Episode 2 features Laura Frerichs, Executive Director of Research Park. Frerichs discusses the evolution of Research Park, partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, and the student talent pipeline. 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). To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts.

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