Media Mentions

“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.

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.