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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Media Mentions

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Hypercell Technologies Wins $1 Million Prize in Grow-NY Competition

    Hypercell Technologies, an EnterpriseWorks startup, won the grand prize of $1 million at Grow-NY on November 15, 2023, in Binghamton, New York. Hypercell Technologies provides rapid point-of-care diagnostics for the food chain, ensuring early identification and management of biological contaminants from production to transformation with increased speed and accuracy. The company has developed novel biological solutions to control infectious diseases in production animals that cause major economic losses and present potential threats to human health. Hypercell wants to stop future human pandemics by proactively controlling viruses in animal reservoirs. “We’re excited to scale our business of rapid point-of-care diagnostics to improve the food chain in the Grow-NY region,” said Hypercell’s CEO and co-founder, Bruno Jactel. Grow-NY’s competition is open to international startups that meet the Grow-NY definition of ‘Food and Agricultural Field,’ are early-stage, and have a scalable business model. Seven businesses were selected from twenty finalists, including fellow EnterpriseWorks startup Agriwater, to receive prize awards totaling $3 million in the fifth annual competition. Learn more about the competition and its 2023 winners on the Grow-NY website.

    Hypercell Technologies Wins $1 Million Prize in Grow-NY Competition Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks Startup Natrion Named Ultimate Winner at Urban Tech Challengers 2023

    The EnterpriseWorks startup Natrion was named the Ultimate Winner of the Urban Tech Challengers 2023 after CEO Alex Kosyakov presented at the Urban Tech Forward conference in Warsaw, Poland, on October 25 and 26. Urban Tech Forward is known as Europe’s premier event for tech innovators, featuring over 1,000 attendees from all over the world. The conference includes the Urban Tech Challengers pitch competition for entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive products and services for sustainable, resilient, and future-proof cities. Natrion is developing battery technologies that can push the capabilities of EVs by solving the biggest issues that automakers and battery manufacturers face. Their mission is to service the industry with solutions that will enhance the mainstream market viability of electric vehicles and advance the world closer to a future of clean mobility. To learn more about Urban Tech Challengers, visit their tenant page.

    EnterpriseWorks Startup Natrion Named Ultimate Winner at Urban Tech Challengers 2023 Read Post »

    Investments Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee

    Today,  the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced it has selected the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) as a 2023 Tech Hub Designee. The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators while also training a skilled workforce. The iFab consortium’s 30+ partners includes the University of Illinois Research Park as well as industry, higher education, workforce development agencies, agribusiness, and producers. Two of the private sector partners, ADM and Boston Bioprocess, have operations at Research Park. Another partner, gener8tor, leads the Illinois AgTech Accelerator.  The iFAB proposal, one of 400 received by EDA, was made public in August. Receiving the federal designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs and promote innovation. This is the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program, a development initiative created to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards.” – U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo The second phase will allow each designated hub to apply to receive between $40-70 million each for implementation funding, totaling $500 million. About iFAB iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. To learn more, visit the iFAB website.

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute

    Have you ever bitten into a meat substitute product and find yourself longing for the real deal? The aroma, the flavor, the texture, and the taste of… meat? You’re not alone. EnterpriseWork’s very own Boston Bioprocess is teaming up with Nourish Ingredients to create just that– utilizing wild fungi and yeast strains to trick even the biggest meat lovers into thinking they are consuming a meat product. The secret ingredient? To effectively scale and replicate the most potent fat molecules, the ones responsible for making that irresistible, animalistic aroma that makes your mouth water. In a Food Navigator USA article, it was explained that Boston Bioprocess is not only assisting Nourish Ingredients in developing a more realistic-tasting product but ensuring that the product will meet regulatory requirements as well. The partnership between Boston Bioprocess and Nourish Ingredients is coming after a significant drop in the plant-based protein market. Nourish Ingredients CEO James Petrie hopes to change the downward market trajectory. “In one way [it’s] been healthy for [the industry] in the sense that… there’s a bit of pressure on the plant-based industry at the moment and it’s forcing us to take a collective look at the quality of products,” said Petrie. Boston Bioprocess works to provide their clients with the equipment and expertise they need to improve yield, decrease costs, and access product for commercial testing. Visit their tenant directory to learn more about the company. Read the full Food Navigator feature.

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    University of Illinois Ranked 15th in Top 100 Global Universities Ranked by Startup Founders

    The University of Illinois was ranked 15th in PitchBook’s annual university rankings list for alumni startup founders who have raised venture capital in the last decade. This list profiles global universities who have “truly exceptional track record of attracting and producing future entrepreneurs.” The rankings are determined based on PitchBook data analyzing more than 150,000 venture capital-backed founders. Additional ratings for the University of Illinois include: #3 in capital raised among U.S. public institutions #5 in graduate alumni founders among  U.S. public institutions #5 in undergraduate alumni founders among U.S. public institutions #7 in female alumni founders among U.S. public institutions UIUC alumni-founded companies have raised $20.8B through companies including Generate, GRAIL, Farmers Business Network, Heyday, and Plus. For more information and the complete list, visit the PitchBook website.

    University of Illinois Ranked 15th in Top 100 Global Universities Ranked by Startup Founders Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Graduates Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Two EnterpriseWorks Graduates Included on Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies List

    Two EnterpriseWorks graduates qualified for Inc. Magazine’s 2023 “5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America” list. Both continue to grow their companies in Champaign County.  Serionix, which is known as Colorfil on the list, placed at #752. Eden Park Illumination placed at 2,858.  “Given the tremendous growth we’ve experienced—going on almost 36 months at 13% CMGR (compounded monthly growth rate) —it wasn’t exactly a surprise but is nevertheless a great honor and recognition for our team,” said Jim Langer, Serionix co-founder and CEO.  Eden Park manufactures and deploys patented wafer-thin panels that deliver reliable, safe, and effective Far-UVC 222nm technology that continuously reduces and inhibits air and surface pathogens in densely populated spaces. It was co-founded by faculty at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  During its days at EnterpriseWorks, Serionix focused on developing products for industrial air purification. The team also enlisted numerous Research Park resources and mentors, including EnterpriseWorks’ SBIR Technical Assistance Program, who helped with grant proposals – a process that CEO Jim Langer said further “helped refine our story and our goals.” The company’s  technology benefits everyone from astronauts to the average cat owner. Langer shared that the next step for the company is to fuel investment in people, channels, and product– investments that will collectively unlock the potential growth for Colorfil. For more information, visit Colorfil’s website. 

    Two EnterpriseWorks Graduates Included on Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies List Read Post »

    Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Ascent Integrated Tech’s Paul Couston Included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Chicago List

    “Chicago is a tough city… it makes entrepreneurs with grit,” wrote Paul Couston, co-founder of Ascent Integrated Tech on LinkedIn. He continued, “Today, I’m honored that Ascent Integrated Tech has joined other incredible ventures listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Local list in Chicago.” After his first startup Optivolt Labs, Couston cofounded Ascent Integrated Tech at Research Park with business partner Alex Gorsuch. Together they created a software program for first responders, including firefighters, special forces, and SWAT teams. The platform optimizes 3D tracking technology, placed inside helmets and bracelets, to provide commanders with critical information, such as their team’s location. These tracking sensors also provide details on the team members’ health and environment, such as CO2 levels, humidity, and airborne metal oxide. Ascent Integrated Tech’s innovations are helping teams be best prepared when urgent calls come in and assist in making life-saving choices in real time. Couston acknowledged Research Park’s role in his personal entrepreneurial success, as well as the company’s. He explained, “Ascent’s journey began at EnterpriseWorks, from the confines of a humble 100 sq feet office on the second floor… The journey from that tiny space to where we stand today would have been inconceivable without the invaluable resources and the expansive network that EnterpriseWorks offered.” The co-founder further detailed his Research Park experience. “The community is truly unparalleled — supportive, innovative, and immensely helpful.  But more important than the space are the people and the network on campus. The people working at Enterpriseworks, the TEC, Gies, and Grainger made Ascent’s early goals possible,” – Paul Couston, Co-founder of Ascent Integrated Tech While Couston was admittedly shocked by the Forbes article, fellow co-founder Alex Goursch was not surprised that Couston made the list. “I have not met someone else who has Paul’s combination of cleverness, ferocity, and mission-driven nature,” said Goursch. “Paul is a singularly driven individual who gives a crap about the problem we are solving and has the intelligence to find solutions, and the diligence to instantiate them.” Seems safe to say that the team’s hard work and determination have paid off. “This recognition isn’t a personal milestone; it’s a testament to everyone who believes in and works toward Ascent’s mission,” said Couston. Read the full Forbes article on the Forbes website.

    Ascent Integrated Tech’s Paul Couston Included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Chicago List Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks startup Natrion listed as a leader in TechCrunch

    Natrion CEO Alex Kosyakov was pleasantly surprised to find that his company was recently listed as a startup leader in battery component technology by popular tech news outlet TechCrunch. “I spoke to Haje [the article author] earlier in June and I thought he was just researching the industry more broadly… I had no idea that he would write so much about Natrion, so that was definitely a pleasant surprise when the article came out.” – Alex Kosyakov, Natrion CEO At EnterpriseWorks, Natrion aims to resolve some of the greatest issues that automakers and battery manufacturers face today by pushing the capabilities of battery technologies. With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming increasingly more popular and desired within the mass market, their mission is to offer power alternatives for electric vehicles, taking a step closer to cleaner mobility. TechCrunch name-dropped the startup in a summary of the LG Energy Solution Battery Challenge, in which Natrion ranked as one of the top 10 finalists, competing against 116 other startups from 22 countries. Natrion placed at the Challenge with its polyer-ceramic solid-state electrolyte material, called the lithium solid ionic composite, and their impressive demonstration of their high-performing solid-state lithium-metal battery cells. TechCrunch wrote, “If Natrion can scale up its production, which it believes it can, then it could bring about considerable changes to battery technology.” Other than the feature, what truly shocked Kosyakov was that Natrion was featured alongside some of the biggest industry players, including Nissan, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. “What we appreciate most about it is that [the writer] begins the piece with an overview of the larger, more established, and better funded players in our industry before pivoting to talking about us,” elaborated Kosyakov. “Even though we’ve raised 100 times less money than some of the other companies in the space, we’re right there with them. As far as technological process, it’s nice to be acknowledged like that.” Natrion is a team of 18, and expects to scale-up significantly, especially in terms of production and yield optimization. Currently the team is prototyping systems and processes, with the intention of building a pilot production line in 2024. To track Natrion’s progress, contact them HERE. Read TechCrunch’s full article HERE.

    EnterpriseWorks startup Natrion listed as a leader in TechCrunch Read Post »

    Features Media Mentions News Research Park

    The University of Illinois is Creating a Unique Location for Semiconductor Growth

    The University of Illinois Research Park was recently featured in an IntersectIllinois article covering the SEMICON West Conference happening this week, July 11-13, 2023, in San Francisco, California. The article discussed the challenge faced by the global microelectronics industry in finding a location with like-minded companies and talent to grow the semiconductor workforce and expertise. Illinois is considered to be a state in a unique position, being able to offer a wide variety of manufacturing and tech opportunities. Intersect Illinois wrote that Illinois is the “perfect location for semiconductor companies” and called out the innovation happening in the Research Park. Several companies mentioned in the article emerged from the EnterpriseWorks Incubator, including Cygnus Photonics, Inprentus, Starfire Industries, and TipTek. Of those companies, TipTek and Cygnus Photonics are still part of the Research Park ecosystem. InteresectIllinois noted that this region has the “talent, location, infrastructure, ecosystem, and support” needed for semiconductor growth, and Research Park’s role in the industry is not going unnoticed. Read the entire article on the Intersect Illinois website.

    The University of Illinois is Creating a Unique Location for Semiconductor Growth Read Post »

    Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Research Park Boosts Illinois Ranking For Women-Led Startups to No. 10

    At the start of the new year, Illinois was ranked tenth in the country for women-led startups by Merchant Maverick, a small business comparison site. This bumped up the state of Illinois’ rating in comparison to previous years. This climb was due to an increase in the overall success rate of businesses and growth in venture capital investments. Research Park has made a large contribution to the creation of women-led startups in Illinois. The Incubator, particularly EnterpriseWorks, has given women that are aspiring to become entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to transform their idea into a successful organization. Bianca Bailey, CEO and founder of the EnterpriseWorks startup Agriwater, credits much of her success as a woman entrepreneur to the resources offered to her at Research Park. Because of EnterpriseWorks, Agriwater has received funding from the Department of Energy’s Innovation Crossroads Program. “Employing more women administratively within incubators like EnterpriseWorks definitely makes a large impact on women being comfortable to even work in the space,” said Bailey. EnterpriseWorks houses a variety of informational programs and events that are of particular benefit to organizations that are just getting their start. Educational sources, mentee opportunities, as well as groups tailored to helping women entrepreneurs, are all supportive resources that are offered at the Incubator. Having programs like these can really help to encourage women and give them the skills they need to make their great idea a reality. “When you invest in a woman you invest in a community and you invest in improving the rest of the world,” Bailey said.

    Research Park Boosts Illinois Ranking For Women-Led Startups to No. 10 Read Post »