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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

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    EnterpriseWorks News Partnerships & Acquisitions

    Veriflow, 2017 EnterpriseWorks Graduate, Acquired by VMware

    Ajay Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of VMware, announced on August 15, 2019, that the company is acquiring Veriflow, a startup that graduated from EnterpriseWorks in Research Park in 2017. “Veriflow is an innovator in network certification, assurance, and troubleshooting…. Once the acquisition is closed, VMware plans to invest in and integrate Veriflow into vRealize Network Insight to increase our overall network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities and adding new dimensions of network verification and What-If analysis directly to the platform,” Singh said. In 2016, Veriflow was selected as the Barclays “Innovation Challenge Winner,” beating out over 100 competing companies. It was the first networking company to use continuous network verification to eliminate network outages and vulnerabilities. The startup also announced that they had raised over $8 million in Series A funding that same year. In 2017, their success continued as Brighten Godfrey, co-founder and CFO of Veriflow, was awarded the Bay Area CIO of the Year in the Community Champion category by the Silicon Valley Business Journal and the San Francisco Business Times. The University of Illinois Research Park congratulates Veriflow on its multitude of successes. To read the full article, click HERE.

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    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    AGCO Acceleration Center Reflects on Its Two Years Within Research Park

    AGCO Acceleration Center (AAC) is celebrating its second year within the University of Illinois Research Park. In their August 12, 2019, article, they note they came to the Park for three reasons: Help recruit students that will be our next generation of AGCO leaders Utilize the expertise of the University of Illinois faculty in agricultural and computer science engineering design Share an ecosystem with entrepreneurs who are developing the new technologies to stay on the cutting edge of the ever-changing agriculture industry The company reflects on how successful they have been at achieving these goals and what they have taken away so far from their time in the Research Park and at the University of Illinois. “Since we first opened our doors, we have been able to build and expand the scope of the AAC in ways we never could have imagined,” they said. As the AAC moves forward, they plan to move from startup phase to growth phase in order to better impact the bottom line. They also intend to expand their reach in the agtech ecosystem to continue sharing innovation with the Research Park and beyond.

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    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News

    Interview with Tushar Pandey, SimBioSys Inc., CEO

    Tushar Pandey, Chief Executive Officer at SimBioSys Inc., spoke with The News-Gazette on July 21, 2019, about what he does for the company and what the company is accomplishing. The company’s work focuses on cancer, and the SimBioSys team has “created a platform to computationally simulate tumor response to drug regimens to help oncologists in treatment planning phase.” A patient’s tumor can be made virtual, which allows for deeper understanding that impacts drug delivery, chemical interactions, and metabolism. Essentially, a cancer is modeled in order to monitor its behavior. The company has a complete product for early-stage breast cancer, and clinical trials are already underway. SimBioSys is also working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to gain regulatory approval for their device so it can be used in medical settings. The goal of the company is to have a complete suite for all solid tumors within the next few years, and the first cancer targeted will be lung cancer. Initial work was funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute and from angel investors, and SimBioSys aims to secure another round of funding in late 2019 to speed up their work. To learn more about SimBioSys, click HERE.

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    Media Mentions News Research Park

    Interview with Troy Kollman, Brunswick’s i-Jet Lab Director

    Troy Kollman, the site director for Brunswick Corporation’s i-Jet Lab within Research Park, spoke with The News-Gazette about the key contributions of interns and the current direction of the company on July 14, 2019. “The Research Park at the UI is fairly unique among large universities. It offers corporations a collaborative environment to exchange operational ideas with other companies that operate in an innovation space,” he explained. The i-Jet Lab has worked with over 50 University of Illinois students from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, design, and mechanical engineering. They play a large role in supporting Brunswick as they seek to focus resources on the recreational boating industry. Kollmann and his colleagues act as mentors for interns as they all work cohesively as a team, overcoming roadblocks and redefining the marine industry. To learn more about the i-Jet Lab and the future direction of Brunswick, click HERE.

    Interview with Troy Kollman, Brunswick’s i-Jet Lab Director Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Reconstruct Named One of Crunchbase’s 50 Hot Tech Companies in 2019

    Crunchbase published a list of the 50 Hot Tech Companies Globally in 2019, featuring Reconstruct, a Research Park startup. The companies were filtered based on Crunchbase data. Each of the companies listed has raised between $10 and $30 million in the last six months and has not exited via IPO or acquisition. Reconstruct has raised $10.1 million in total funding from investors, including Cultivation Capital, Serra Ventures, and Harbor Street Ventures. Reconstruct’s AI and digital twin capabilities help project stakeholders by providing indoor/outdoor views, enabling them to track and resolve issues in a virtual environment before actual impact on cost and schedule, revolutionizing construction management.

    Reconstruct Named One of Crunchbase’s 50 Hot Tech Companies in 2019 Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    Board of Trustees Votes to Transfer Research Park Oversight

    CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees today transferred oversight of the University of Illinois Research Park from the U. of I. System to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Trustees approved the Research Park in 1999 and authorized the University of Illinois Research Park LLC in 2000 as the formal entity to develop and operate research parks in support of the university’s economic development mission. On the endorsement of President Tim Killeen and Urbana campus Chancellor Robert Jones, the limited liability company’s Board of Managers voted in October to recommend that the Board of Trustees change the legal entity’s scope to focus solely on the Research Park in Urbana-Champaign. With its vote today at its bimonthly meeting on the Springfield campus, the board of trustees completed the transfer. “This will make our campus an even stronger contributor to the economic well-being of our community, and help to fulfill the missions of the Illinois Innovation Network and the Discovery Partners Institute,” Jones said. “We look forward to more deeply integrating activities of the campus faculty members, students and staff with those of the Research Park and EnterpriseWorks.” Susan Martinis, the interim vice chancellor for research at the Urbana-Champaign campus, said the total workforce at the Research Park represents the third-largest employer in the community. “Aligning the Research Park more closely with our campus strongly supports our research, teaching, public engagement and economic development missions,” Martinis said. “It’s a powerful pipeline for students to connect with companies for experiential learning, and for companies to connect with students to harness cutting-edge skills.” The Board of Trustees also approved four new members of the UIRP LLC Board of Managers, Wilbur Milhouse and Scott Rose from the private sector and Gies College of Business Dean Jeff Brown and College of ACES Dean Kim Kidwell to fill two faculty board positions. Read the entire news release HERE. News coverage:The News-Gazette

    Board of Trustees Votes to Transfer Research Park Oversight Read Post »

    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Reconstruct Receives $7.7 Million Series A Investment Led By Cultivation Capital

    Reconstruct, a Research Park startup, has closed a $7.7 million series A round led by Cultivation Capital. Investors also include Serra Ventures and Seyen Capital. According to BusinessWire, Reconstruct provides a ‘visual command center’ for projects, enabling project executives to proactively and precisely manage construction progress including detecting current, past, and future performance issues. Cultivation Capital Partner and Board Member, Barry Sandweiss sees incredible potential in the company. “Reconstruct has the opportunity to transform the management, financing, and insuring of projects in construction and beyond.” Reconstruct’s AI and digital twin capabilities help project stakeholders by providing indoor/outdoor views enabling them to track and resolve issues in a virtual environment before actual impact on cost and schedule. University of Illinois Research Park Director, Laura Frerichs said, “We have been honored to be a part of the Reconstruct journey and getting to see their growth from early stage technology to commercial success. They have created a tremendous team and technology with market value, customers, and impact”. Read the full article here.

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    Events News Research Park

    2019 AgTech Summit a Success

    The 2019 Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit was a success yet again, bringing together the biggest agriculture companies and brightest minds in agtech to discuss new ideas that will revolutionize the farming industry. The AgTech Summit is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Research Park, the University of Illinois, College of ACES, and the Office of Corporate Relations. This year’s panels included those such as “Investment Landscape”, “Animal Health and Nutrition”, and “Digital Agriculture.” They were mediated by Champaign’s agtech experts, including Mark Moran, Director of the John Deere Innovation Center. In his keynote speech, Moran said that there “has been more change to ag in the last 100 years than the 10,000 years before that. Those of us that do it every day maybe don’t realize how different it is from just a century ago” (Brownfield Ag News). It’s true–the talks throughout the day explored brand new technologies such as robots and artificial intelligence and explored how they are rapidly changing farmers’ approaches to production and sustainability issues on their farms. Another talk included University of Illinois professor Angela Green-Miller. The idea for her pig production company TellTail “originated from the idea of taking university research and translating that into tools that are immediately accessible and easily used by producers,” similar to other EnterpriseWorks startups (Brownfield Ag News). Startup TellTail was the winner of the Moore Innovation Prize this year. Thank you to all those from the local agriculture community as well as others from all over the Midwest that attended the event. Another thank you to the moderators and panelists for sharing your time and talents. Last but not least, thanks to the AgTech 2019 sponsors–Bayer/The Climate Corporation, John Deere, ADM, and COUNTRY Financial–for your generous support of AgTech Summit 2019. For this year’s agenda, look below. And don’t forget to save the date for next year’s Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit on March 4, 2020. Tuesday March 5, 2019 EnterpriseWorks Atrium, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign 8:00am-12pm | USDA SBIR Workshop 5:30-7:00pm | Opening Reception Wednesday March 6, 2019 I-Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 South First Street, Champaign 7:45am | Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:10am | Welcome & Opening Remarks Laura Frerichs, University of Illinois Research Park Adam Davis, University of Illinois ACES Frank Dohleman, The Climate Corporation 8:30am | Morning Keynote Address Mark Moran, John Deere Technology Innovation Center 9:15am | Collaborations Between Startups & Corporations Learn more about the important symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurs and established companies in order to implement new products. Roger Vanhoy, University of Illinois Corporate Relations Mark Fincham, John Deere Tim Kuehlorn, Nutrien Ag Solutions Kirsten Skogerson, Bayer Crop Science Scott Wilkin, University of Illinois National Center for Supercomputing Applications 10:15am | Break 10:30am | Investment Landscape AgTech investments are growing rapidly. Key elements include biotech, software & IoT, robotics and automation and commodity platforms. This panel will cover how this is impacting the agricultural industry. Nancy Sullivan, Illinois Ventures Connie Bowen, The Yield Lab Tim Foote, Flyover Capital Kevin McCurren, Michigan State University Corbett Kull, Tillable David Pierson, Syngenta Ventures 11:30am | Animal Health & Nutrition Industry leaders will highlight the teamwork between academia, startups and businesses to advance new ways to ensure a safe food supply and enhance the well-being of animals. Rod Johnson, University of Illinois College of ACES Angela Green-Miller, TellTail Lena Head, AGCO/GSI Ryan Lane, ADM Bruce Taillon, Elanco 12:30pm | Lunch Buffet 12:50pm | Afternoon Kickoff Sponsor remarks, Ryan Lane, ADM Moore Innovation Prize Presentation 1:05pm | Lunchtime Fireside Chat Laura Frerichs, University of Illinois Research Park Dennis Beard, Serra Ventures Dave Stanko, Nutrien/Agrible 1:45pm | Digital Agriculture Now is the time to discuss the technologies that provide the agricultural industry with the tools, data and knowledge to make better on-farm decisions and improve productivity and sustainability. Robert Brunner, University of Illinois Lance Brown, AGCO Grain & Protein Eric Barnard, Granular Kelly Gillespie, Bayer Crop Science Chris Dempsey, Case IH Robert Lubben, Rabo AgriFinance Chinmay Soman, EarthSense Rebeccah Stay, Cargill, INC. 2:45pm | Break 3:00pm | Growers Talk Back Leading farmers and key customers for new technology developments will discuss the challenges they face, the technologies helpful to their businesses and what types of products they’re looking for as they continue to advance. Chris Harbourt, Research Park Entrepreneur In Residence Jason Little, Nutrien Ag Solutions Matt Barnard, Barnard Farms Heath Huisinga, Huisinga Farms Ken Dalenberg, Scattered Acres Farm Josh Plunk, Plunk Brothers, Inc.

    2019 AgTech Summit a Success Read Post »

    News Research Park

    Research Park Wins at Innovation Celebration 2019

    Every year, the community gathers at Parkland College for the Innovation Celebration – an event honoring the innovators and changemakers in the Champaign-Urbana area. This year’s event was the 14th time the University of Illinois, Parkland College, and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation have come together to celebrate the continued economic prosperity and entrepreneurial success of Champaign County. The Research Park had many representatives at this year’s awards. Some familiar faces that won awards are: RingWing, LLC (student startup in EnterpriseWorks) – Student Startup Award EarthSense, Inc. (EnterpriseWorks tenant) – New Venture Award Roland Garton (SBIR technical consultant) – Paul Magelli Advocacy Award Granular, Inc. (Research Park company) – Management Award Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to the ground-breaking thinkers that make our community better every day. For a full list of winners and finalists, and to read more about the Innovation Celebration, go here.  

    Research Park Wins at Innovation Celebration 2019 Read Post »

    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    BP Opens New Center at the University of Illinois to Develop Sustainable IT Solutions

    BP OPENS NEW CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE IT SOLUTIONS Champaign, Illinois (April 2, 2019) – The University of Illinois today announced that BP (NYSE: BP), one of the world’s largest energy companies, has opened an information technology center at the University of Illinois Research Park. The new center will provide BP with better access to the next generation of talent to explore digital solutions and technologies to enhance the modernization of IT services for the company. “I am excited by the possibilities of our new center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – engaging with talent in an innovative way and pioneering the future of digital at BP,” said Steve Fortune, BP Chief Information Officer. “Students will work on real projects and give us fresh perspectives to apply towards energy industry challenges.” The students in the program will work closely with BP information technology experts to develop proof-of-concept prototypes for digital solutions ranging from Big Data and Machine Learning, to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud. Projects will cover multiple disciplines, such as basic market and technology research, data analytics and visualization, user-interface analysis and software development. Bryan Copeland, a BP technologist for 16 years, has relocated from within the company to serve as the center’s Site Leader and will lead student recruitment, training, mentorship and assist in the delivery of innovative solutions. BP is a longtime strategic partner of the University of Illinois. This center further embeds the company within the fabric of the university, with the goal to continue a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship. “We’re pleased to welcome BP to Research Park. Like many industries, data science is transforming the way the world thinks about energy. It is a perfect partnership to have a company that is developing the future of energy come together with the university that is pioneering the future of computing and data sciences,” said University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign chancellor Robert J. Jones. “BP’s commitment to discovery and technological innovation will open new opportunities for collaboration with our faculty and offer our students new career horizons.” About BP (NYSE: BP) BP is a global producer of oil and gas with operations in 70 countries. BP has a larger economic footprint in the U.S. than in any other nation, and it has invested more than $100 billion here since 2005. BP employs about 14,000 people across the U.S. and supports more than 111,000 additional jobs through all its business activities. For more information on BP in America, visit www.bp.com/us.

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