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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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    News Research Park

    W. Brooke Elliott, Shannon O’Hare and Ryan Coon Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Sept. 18, 2025)  – W. Brooke Elliott, Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Shannon O’Hare, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield and Ryan Coon, an entrepreneur and venture capital investor, have joined the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. Their appointments were approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its September 2025 meeting.  The Board of Managers, a public-private board, is the governing body of University of Illinois Research Park LLC, which assists the university in developing and operating research parks in support of its economic development mission.  Former BOM member Pat Daly’s term expired in 2025, creating a vacancy for a business representative. Upon that transition, the decision was made to expand the board (as per the existing by-laws). That meant adding one additional faculty member as well as one business representative, for a total of three in each category. Chancellor Charles L. Isbell Jr. nominated Dean Elliott as a faculty appointment with O’Hare and Coon filling the business representative roles. Elliott, the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business, has been at the U. of I. since 2003, starting as a professor of accountancy. She now leads the College in developing a compelling, strategic vision while continuing to build upon its distinctive brand and identity. This includes assessing and expanding Gies Business’ portfolio of on-campus and online programs to strengthen its position as an innovative leader among the nation’s best business schools. Elliott is an expert in her field and has been cited in widely recognized press outlets including Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. Shannon O’Hare has more than 20 years of experience in economic development and financial incentive negotiation. O’Hare serves as the executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield leading the Business Incentives Practice, representing clients across a wide range of industries including automotive, healthcare and retail. She also negotiates incentives for real estate development projects nationwide, and prides herself on her long-standing client relationships. Some of her previous positions were held at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. O’Hare earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the Gies College of Business.  Ryan Coon is co-founder of Avail, a platform used to improve rental experiences for do-it-yourself landlords and renters. Avail was acquired by Realtor.com in December 2020, where Coon became CEO of Avail and Category Manager – Rentals at Realtor.com. Before co-founding Avail, Coon worked at BMO Capital Markets performing mergers and acquisitions as an investment banking associate. Coon graduated with honors from the Gies College of Business in 2007. He is active in the Chicago tech community and serves on the Board of Directors of La Casa Norte, an organization fighting youth and family homelessness in Chicago.  

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    Community News Research Park

    Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators 

    WCIA – Financial services company expanding operations at U of I (Sept. 18, 2025) PR Newswire- Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators (Sept. 18, 2025) Stock Titan- Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators (Sept. 18, 2025) University Leaders Join Ceremony to Unveil Expanded Center to Train Students in Tech Skills of the Future CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (September 18, 2025) – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) and Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, this week celebrated a major milestone: more than 400 U. of I. students have gained hands-on technology experience through Synchrony’s internship program. At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the expanded Synchrony Emerging Technology Center in Research Park, university leaders, Synchrony executives, and students marked the opening of the nearly 11,000 square foot reimagined space dedicated to advancing innovation and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. First opened in 2018, Synchrony’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) serves as a hub for collaboration between Synchrony and U. of I., advancing the company’s finance and technology capabilities while equipping students with real-world skills in engineering, data science, analytics, human-centered design, and other emerging fields.   The expansion doubles the center’s seat count and introduces new collaboration areas, including flexible huddle rooms, event spaces for town halls and networking, and a remodeled café. A commissioned mural from a local artist will pay tribute to both the state of Illinois and the university to uplift design in the heart of the space.   Through the ETC, interns partner year-round with Synchrony employees from more than 60 teams on projects that fuel business growth and enhance the customer experience. The center is a key talent pipeline, with dozens of interns accepting full time roles in areas such as technology, credit, analytics and more at Synchrony since the program began.   “The expansion of our Emerging Technology Center reflects the incredible talent of U. of I. students as well as the enduring strength of our partnership with the university,” said Tim Christensen, CIO, Synchrony. “Together, we’ve built a model that both enhances Synchrony’s innovation goals and provides students with opportunities to advance and grow technology skills. We are proud of the impact of this partnership and excited to grow this collaboration for years to come.”  “Synchrony has been a tremendous launchpad for students pursuing technological and analytical careers in consumer finance,” said Dr. Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at U. of I., “The company demonstrates how to bridge academic research with industry applications, which is a win-win for our campus that puts so much emphasis on the value of experiential learning. We are so grateful for Synchrony’s unwavering investment in our students and engagement in many campus programs.” Beyond internships, Synchrony and UIUC co-host events including hackathons, Datathons targeting students interested in the field of Data Science, and in-class lectures around topics like Generative AI, engineering, and credit modeling, strengthening a culture of innovation that benefits students, the university, and the company. This milestone builds on Synchrony’s broader education initiatives worldwide, which aim to build pathways to financial credit access and financial mobility for Americans. For more information about Synchrony’s impact in Illinois and beyond, visit:  https://synchronyimpact.com.    About Synchrony   Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company at the heart of American commerce and opportunity. From health to home, auto to retail, our Synchrony products have been serving the needs of people and businesses for nearly 100 years. We provide responsible access to credit and banking products to support healthier financial lives for tens of millions of people, enabling them to access the things that matter to them. Additionally, through our innovative products and experiences, we support the growth and operations of some of the country’s most respected brands, as well as more than 400,000 small and midsize businesses and health and wellness providers that Americans rely on. Synchrony is proud to be ranked as the country’s #2 Best Company to Work For® by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.  About the Research Park at the University of Illinois  The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub for startup companies and corporate research and development operations. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing students and full-time technology professionals. More information at researchpark.illinois.edu. Follow the company on LinkedIn at UIResearchPark.  Media Contact Tyler Allen Synchrony Tyler.Allen@syf.com  Laura Weisskopf Bleill University of Illinois Research Park lwbleill@illinois.edu

    Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators  Read Post »

    News Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks Graduate CU Aerospace Featured for Advancing Aerospace Innovation

    Champaign-Urbana Aerospace, a graduate of EnterpriseWorks, was recently featured by The Grainger College of Engineering for its role in advancing aerospace innovation.  The feature highlighted the entrepreneurial journeys of CU Aerospace president David Carroll, and Phil Ansell, associate professor of aerospace engineering and the company’s director of aerodynamics. Both leaders emphasized how the University’s innovation ecosystem and Research Park resources supported their efforts to develop from idea to impact. “CUA is uniquely poised to make meaningful partnerships with the university,” said Ansell. CUA is an prime example of how the University of Illinois Research Park helps startups become industry leaders and maintain lasting partnerships with the university. Founded in 1998 by six current and former university faculty members, CUA develops and produces aerospace technologies, including propulsion systems, advanced materials, simulation tools, and plasma technology. Today, the company generates $5 million in annual revenue and continues to grow from its headquarters in northwest Champaign. Read the full article HERE.     

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    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    Pixo Relocates Headquarters to Research Park, Embraces Hybrid Future

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Sept. 4, 2025) – Custom software and web development firm Pixo has officially moved its headquarters to the first floor of the Atkins Building, Suite 106, within the University of Illinois Research Park technology hub. This strategic move positions Pixo in a vibrant innovation ecosystem, while reinforcing its commitment to a flexible, hybrid work model. Melinda Miller, CEO and co-owner of Pixo, expressed enthusiasm for the new location. “Our new office home is right in the midst of so much exciting technological innovation,” Miller said. “We look forward to connecting with the vibrant community here, tapping into that energy, and building new relationships with our neighbors at Research Park.” Founded in 1998 as “On the Job Consulting,” the woman-owned tech consultancy previously operated from second-story offices on Urbana’s West Main Street. Like many businesses, Pixo adapted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the success and versatility of a hybrid approach for its diverse team of developers, designers, and strategists, the company decided to adopt this model permanently. While Pixo continues to have a strong presence in Central Illinois, its team members are now distributed throughout the United States, serving clients coast-to-coast. “Despite being a mostly remote agency, maintaining a physical presence in Champaign-Urbana is incredibly important to us,” Miller emphasized. “We have deep roots here and a rich history tied to the University of Illinois, the agricultural economy, and the broader community.”  “As a ‘people-first’ company, we also wanted to preserve the ability to gather in person—both with clients and with each other,” Miller added. “We’re excited to leverage Research Park’s excellent amenities, including beautiful and well-equipped spaces for client meetings, social gatherings, and team celebrations.” “Research Park and Pixo have a long history of partnership across domains–from working together on website projects, to working together on agtech cluster building,” said Laura Weisskopf Bleill, Director of External Engagement and Communications at Research Park. “We are thrilled to see the team locate a footprint in our on-campus tech hub, where small businesses, startups, and corporate innovation thrives together as one ecosystem.” About Pixo: Pixo is a custom software and web development firm specializing in creating innovative digital solutions. Founded in 1998, the woman-owned consultancy serves clients across the United States, providing expertise in areas including digital accessibility, artificial intelligence, content strategy, and web/software development. Pixo is committed to a people-first approach, fostering a collaborative environment for its distributed team and strong relationships with its clients and community. For more information, visit pixotech.com. Contact: info@pixotech.com  217-344-0444 pixotech.com Pixo’s office: Atkins Building, Research Park 1800 S. Oak St. Suite 106 Champaign, IL 61820

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    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards

    HabiTerre Founder Kaiyu Guan Honored for Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Kaiyu Guan, founder of EnterpriseWork startup, HabiTerre and scientist in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, has been named the recipient of the 2025 national agInnovation award for Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation. The award was given in recognition of Guan’s contributions to agroecosystem science, particularly his efforts to improve food security and environmental sustainability. Guan, who was also recognized with the North Central regional award earlier this year, serves as Chief Scientist of NASA Acres and is the founding director of the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center at Illinois. Through his efforts to advance modern agriculture by leading interdisciplinary teams, he has collected over $40 million in research funding, published more than 180 scholarly articles, and received multiple national awards. Guan maintains affiliations with several research institutes at Illinois, including the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, the Center for Digital Agriculture, and the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. The agInnovation organization represents the national network of State Agricultural Experiment Stations, established under the Hatch Act of 1887. It supports multistate collaborations aimed at addressing critical challenges in agriculture, food systems, and natural resource management. Guan will be honored at a September ceremony alongside ACES Dean Germán Bollero, who will receive the 2025 agInnovation Excellence in Leadership Award. Research in the College of ACES is supported in part by Hatch funding from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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    Community Events News Research Park

    Research Park Summer Softball League: Caterpillar Wins 2025 Summer Championship

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Research Park Softball League concluded its season with a championship game on Monday, Aug. 4 where the Caterpillar Innovation Center would claim its second consecutive championship. The league ran throughout the summer, bringing together employees from companies across the Research Park for weekly games. Teams competed in a tournament-style bracket, with matches that mixed experienced players with newcomers still learning the rules. Caterpillar’s win marked back-to-back titles for the team, demonstrating consistent performance across two seasons. The championship game capped a competitive season where all 10 teams showed improvement from their early matches. “This year’s league was a blast,” said Bryan Goode, Talent Manager at Research Park. “Beyond the fun on the field, it created friendships across Research Park companies, gave interns a chance to build relationships outside their own teams and strengthened camaraderie within companies. It’s more than just a game, it helps employees old and new connect, encourages collaboration across organizations and builds the kind of trust and teamwork that carries back into the workplace.” The league has grown in recent years, drawing participants from various Research Park companies. Games are played on summer evenings, giving employees a chance to meet outside their usual work environments. We extend a special thank you to all the companies who participated in the Softball League: Champaign Caterpillar Innovation Center Motorola Solutions  U. of I. Community Credit Union Littelfuse Synchrony Emerging Technology Center Electric Power Engineers Center for Energy Innovation University of Illinois Research Park John Deere Technology Innovation Center COUNTRY Financial DigitaLab Mondelēz International

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    News Research Park

    College of ACES Dean German Bollero Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (July 24, 2025)  – German Bollero, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, has joined the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. Bollero’s appointment was approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its July 2025 meeting.  The Board of Managers, a public-private board, is the governing body of University of Illinois Research Park LLC, which assists the university in developing and operating research parks in support of its economic development mission.  Bollero succeeds Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, who served on the board for six years. He joins Grainger College of Engineering Dean Rashid Bashir, who was appointed in 2024. Bollero, a nearly 30-year member of the ACES community, brings extensive experience and leadership to his role, having previously served as head of the Department of Crop Sciences and associate dean for research. A native of Rosario, Argentina, Bollero earned his bachelor’s in agronomy there before completing his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, where he has since held numerous research and teaching positions. Internationally recognized for his scholarship in biometry and cropping systems, Bollero has received multiple honors for his teaching, research and service, including being named a Fellow of both the Crop Science Society of America and the Agronomy Society of America.

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards

    Photon Queue CEO Selected for Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill., (July 14, 2025) – /U.S. Department of Energy/ — Nathan Arnold, CEO of EnterpriseWorks startup Photon Queue, has been selected for the ninth cohort of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, a highly competitive initiative designed to support early-stage energy startups on their path toward commercialization. Arnold is one of just 27 entrepreneurs nationwide chosen for the fellowship. He will join the Chain Reaction Innovations program at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, where he will work with a network of mentors and experts to develop transformative energy technologies. “This two-year fellowship will give us access to world-class facilities, mentorship from entrepreneurs and researchers and will help us accelerate our products to market,” said Photon Queue on LinkedIn. “We are beyond excited to grow our presence in the Chicago quantum ecosystem and push the boundaries of efficient photon storage through this program.” Photon Queue’s selection into LEEP marks the latest step in its efforts to scale its quantum memory hardware for industry adoption, a journey rooted in its home at the University of Illinois Research Park. The startup recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, having launched through the Duality Quantum Accelerator, secured its first two sales and pitched to West Coast venture capitalists during the Quantum Startup Pitch Competition and San Francisco’s Deep Tech Week. Past fellows have developed breakthrough technologies that became the foundation of thriving businesses. Since the program’s inception in 2015, 182 LEEP startups have attracted $4.2 billion in follow-on funding and created more than 3,800 jobs, according to a press release from the DOE. Participants perform critical research and development to hone their startup technologies with the goal of advancing those technologies from lab to market. The program also supports fellows by providing training in business development, networking opportunities and access to the resources and expertise of the U.S. national laboratories. “The LEEP Program epitomizes DOE’s commitment to empowering American inventors and entrepreneurs to improve the affordability, reliability, and security of our energy system,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Lou Hrkman. “I look forward to seeing this new round of fellows make its mark on American energy and manufacturing.” About Photon Queue Photon Queue is a hardware company developing quantum memories and the first quantum startup from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The company aims to become the premier supplier of photonic quantum memories for the emerging quantum communication, networking, and computing sectors. Quantum memories comprise many of the required components for these sectors and will command a significant fraction of this market size, but the currently available quantum memory technologies lack many performance metrics. The quantum memory technology at Photon Queue has been pioneered by the research group of Prof. Paul Kwiat over the past two decades. It outperforms all competing technologies in head-to-head comparisons for several critical quantum applications. The company aims to accelerate the realization of important quantum applications by providing high-performance quantum memories. About EnterpriseWorks at University of Illinois Research Park EnterpriseWorks is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s technology incubator. Its mission is to launch, support, and advance successful science-based startups that are commercializing disruptive technologies. EnterpriseWorks is located at University of Illinois Research Park, an innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers. 

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    Community Events Internships News Recognition & Awards

    Research Park Celebrates Interns During the 19th Annual Intern Awards Ceremony

    The 19th Annual Research Park Intern Awards Ceremony, which celebrates the contributions of outstanding student interns at Research Park corporate innovation centers and startups, took place on July 24, 2025. The awards ceremony brings together interns representing diverse skill sets and industry sectors, as well as their managers and colleagues. It reflects the overall depth and breadth of excellence of intern work that occurs daily at Research Park. Awards were given in the following categories: Best Startup Intern Best Technical Innovation Best Business Innovation Most Outstanding Graduate Student Intern Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student Intern Most Competent and Collaborative Team Among the notable projects showcased was an intern who developed an in-house model that once deployed saved their company $60,000 in expenses. Another standout project involved a group of interns who developed XR prototypes that have been deployed and utilized in tech centers across three different continents and did so an entire year ahead of the original schedule. The ceremony and nominations highlighted the incredible talent within the Research Park community and underscored the vital role that internships play in fostering the next generation of industry leaders. Best Startup Intern  Hrishikesh Sarda | Earthsense | Mechanical Engineering Intern | Master of Science in Technology Management | Gies College of Business “Hrishi has very quickly demonstrated his value to our team. He takes on responsibility with the trustworthiness of a full-time engineer. He works independently, gives valuable design feedback, and shows comfort in the unknown. He found an error in my calculation, researched the topic to correct it, and brings a level of attention to detail rare at his experience level.” Finalists: Dongjoon Jeong | Hinetics | Mechanical Engineering Intern | Mechanical Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Daniel Ormsbee | Boston Bioprocess | Bioprocess Intern | Molecular Biology and Mechanical Engineering | Cedarville University Best Technical innovation Undergraduate winner: Om Mistry | Brunswick Boating Intelligence Design Lab | Data Engineering Intern | Industrial Engineering and Statistics | Grainger College of Engineering “During his internship, Om’s primary responsibility was to enhance our data ingestion pipelines across multiple projects. One of his most impactful contributions was improving our propeller recommendation tool, which helps customers select the right propeller for their boat and engine combination—reducing both customer and dealer stress and driving internal sales. He brought initiative, technical curiosity, and a structured mindset—researching machine learning, building a user-focused interface, and delivering high-quality code. His adaptability, collaboration, and impact on a high-visibility project stood out throughout his internship.” Graduate winner: Farid Ahmed | Rivian | Thermal Modeling Intern | Nuclear Plasma and Radiological Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering “In a context where mileage per watt is a key performance metric, Farid’s contributions are especially impactful. His initial studies indicated an 8–10% improvement in cooling efficiency compared to the current design. He is self-motivated, thoughtful, and collaborative. His technical rigor and clear communication have made him a valued team member influencing high-priority design decisions.” Best Business Innovation Shravani Bhupal | COUNTRY Financial DigitaLab | Project Manager/UI-UX Intern | Master of Science in Information Management  “Shravani led development of a Power BI dashboard for technology budget tracking, producing a tool now essential for strategic reporting. Her precision, innovation, and ability to bridge technical and business needs earned praise from leadership, who highlighted her fresh perspective and strong communication on complex financial data.” Finalists: Luke Peng | Synchrony Emerging Technology Center | Operations Analyst- Data Engineering Intern | Statistics Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student Intern Miguel Aenlle | PrairieLearn | Software Engineering Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering “As a freshman, he immediately led a full redesign of our navigation system—interviewing users, building an accessible UI, and engineering a staged rollout. His work is already in production. In 20 years of mentoring interns, Miguel is the best I’ve worked with. His impact has been extraordinary.” Finalists: Isabella Chou | Mondelēz International | XR Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Austin Carlen | Applied Pavement Technology | Engineering Technician Intern | Engineering Technology | Lake Land College Most Outstanding Graduate Student Intern Nanguan Lin | Boston Bioprocess  | Software Engineering Intern | Computer Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering  “Nanguan has been instrumental in building a new Lab Information Management System from scratch. He rapidly grasped requirements, led stakeholder interviews, and delivered a robust dashboard that’s now a cornerstone of operations. He balances professionalism and approachability—equally comfortable leading technical discussions and bringing positive energy to everyday team interactions.” Finalists: Charlie Du | Brunswick Boating Intelligence Design Lab | Computer Graphics Software Developer Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Kinjal Parekh | COUNTRY Financial DigitaLab | Project Manager/Software Developer Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Most Competent and Collaborative Team Mondelēz International XR Team Isabella Chou | XR Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Josh Sutanto  | XR Intern | Computer Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Roshni Dave  | XR Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering “The Mondelez XR team delivered both high-quality work and a remarkable number of prototypes, despite being new to XR. Their teamwork, adaptability, and dedication exceeded every brief—so much so, new ones had to be created. Their prototypes are now being deployed across three continents, with one fast-tracked for consumer research a year early. This accelerated timeline reflects the immediate business value of their work and is expected to drive faster ROI and greater digital adoption.” Finalists: Brunswick Boating Intelligence Design Lab Aashish Subramanian | Computer Graphics Software Developer Intern | Computer Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Charlie Du | Computer Graphics Software Developer Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Jaden Ambrocio Alcantara | Computer Graphics Software Engineering Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering Kaavya Vassa | Front End Development Intern | Computer Science and Bioengineering | Grainger College of Engineering Melody Breg | Mechanical Engineer Intern | Mechanical Engineering | Grainger College of Engineering Swathi Sureshmoorthy | Computer Graphic Software Developer Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of Engineering  Ameren Innovation Center Jason Liao | Data Science Intern | Computer Science | Grainger College of

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    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    Research Park Hosts 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (July 16, 2025) — The 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase brought together innovators, farmers and industry stakeholders to get a firsthand look at emerging AgTech solutions tailored to farming challenges. The event was hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park in collaboration with BioSTL, a St. Louis nonprofit that invests in bioscience startups, and the Illinois Farm Bureau, a nonprofit that advocates for farmers and Illinois agriculture. “We are excited to welcome everyone to Champaign to showcase AgTech innovation,” said Laura Bleill, director of external engagement of the University of Illinois Research Park. “Gathering real feedback from potential customers is important for all startups, and especially significant in the AgTech sector. This collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, BioSTL and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a win for our region.” The showcase featured rapid-fire presentations from nine startup companies offering cutting-edge, on-farm solutions including cost-saving equipment technologies, soil and biological innovations, AI-powered decision tools and streamlined farm management platforms. Attendees rotated through sessions to connect directly with each innovator and provide real-time feedback on emerging ag tech solutions designed for farmers in the region. “On our farm, innovations and technologies such as these are things we continually evaluate to see how we can produce more with less, increase our sustainability footprint and really just be the best stewards of our land that we possibly can be as new solutions and innovations make their way forward,” said Evan Hultine, vice president of the ILFB. Innovators in attendance included: View photos from the event here. Illinois Farmer Today — Ag companies show off latest tech (July 31, 2025) FarmWeek — Farmer feedback meets startup ingenuity at AgTech Showcase (July 21, 2025) WCIA — From the Farm: Ag geneticist creates new product to increase crop yields (July 17, 2025) Morning AgClips — Ag Innovators to Bring Emerging Technologies to Farmers During Startup Showcase (July 1, 2025) About BioSTL: Founded in 2001, BioSTL has been a cornerstone of St. Louis’ innovation landscape, fostering a dynamic economy through convening stakeholders, engaging in public policy, and delivering targeted programs. Our mission is to cement the city’s position as a hub for addressing global challenges in agriculture, food, biopharma, and healthcare. About Illinois Farm Bureau Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families. About University of Illinois Research Park The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park is an innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers.

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