Partnerships & Acquisitions

News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

Genective Poised for Commercial Success After Pipeline Delivered Breakthrough Insect Control Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. and CHAPPES, France, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Genective, a 100% subsidiary of Limagrain, a French Agri-food conglomerate and world’s fourth largest seeds company, is poised for commercial success after its R&D pipeline for transgenic insect control delivered industry leading breakthrough results. “It’s a very exciting time at Genective,” said Qiaoni Linda Jing, President & CEO. “Through extraordinary team collaboration in the last 5 years, we have made breakthroughs at different stages of our R&D pipeline.  To name a few, we created a whole new class of insect control protein that no one else in the industry has.  Our other lead genes delivered excellent results against Fall Armyworm (FAW) populations that have developed resistance to all currently commercialized solutions.” FAW is a devastating pest originating from the Americas but quickly spread to the rest of the world in the last 10 years causing an estimated 5 billion dollars annually in economic losses.   Jing continued, “I am extremely proud of what my team has achieved and look forward to bringing our novel solutions to the farm fields around the globe through successful commercial partnership with industry partners.” “As an innovation driven company, Limagrain has unwaveringly supported Genective since its inception,” said Fermin Azanza, Global Head of Research for Limagrain Field Seeds and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Genective. “We are very excited the novelty-driven strategy of Genective is bearing fruit.  We will continue standing behind Genective’s innovation and foresee commercialization through partnerships with global players in the agriculture market.” Since relocating its global headquarters from Paris, France to Central Illinois in 2020 amid Covid 19, Genective has emerged as a key contributor to the industry’s agtech innovation landscape. “Genective has been an exemplary member of our innovation community,” said University of Illinois Research Park Executive Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Laura Appenzeller. “The fast-growing company not only brought in great talent and high paying jobs but also created a winning culture that is fundamental to its success. The University of Illinois Research Park is committed to supporting Genective’s continued achievements in every possible way as an agtech leader.” With scientific momentum, global and local backing, and a strong foundation for commercialization, Genective is fulfilling its vision of being a globally impactful contributor to agriculture through biotechnology for corn, soy, and cotton. About GenectiveGenective is a 100% subsidiary of Groupe Limagrain, a French Agri-food conglomerate and world’s 4th largest seeds company. Genective is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of transgenic traits for corn, soy, and cotton. About LimagrainLimagrain is a global company with deep local roots. The parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while Limagrain is an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. The company breeds, produces, and sells high value-added field and vegetable seeds, drawing on a long history of expertise in plant improvement. Uniquely, Limagrain also has agri-food chain businesses, in France and internationally, to transform the produce of the Cooperative’s 1,300 farmer members. The world faces escalating climatic, environmental and demographic challenges, and the company’s various businesses help address its food and farming issues. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, Limagrain achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with strategic partners. www.limagrain.com 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.  Media ContactsGenective: Erin Yarling, erin.yarling@genective.comGroupe Limagrain: Michelle Cornu, michelle.cornu@limagrain.comUniversity of Illinois Research Park: Laura Bleill, lwbleill@illinois.edu SOURCE Genective

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News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

Capital One and University of Illinois launch ASKS center

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Capital One and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recently announced the launch of the Center for Generative AI Safety, Knowledge Systems and Cybersecurity. A pioneering collaboration between Capital One and the Grainger College of Engineering Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, its mission is to advance the safety, security and trustworthiness of Generative Artificial Intelligence Models across multiple domains, according to a news release from Capital One. The ASKS Center builds on a long legacy of partnership between Capital One and the University of Illinois. Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab, the company’s first university-based lab site, opened in 2015 at the University of Illinois Research Park. The Lab focuses on research and experimentation in data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other topics relevant to the work of the ASKS Center. It has a mix of full-time employees and student interns who work year-round, serving as a talent pipeline for the company.  As a part of this partnership, Capital One has pledged $3 million over five years to support projects from faculty and PhD students researching GAIMs. This support will be determined by input from faculty and a Center Advisory Board composed of representatives from Capital One and the University of Illinois. “We are delighted to strengthen our customer-centered scientific research initiatives by bringing together top talent from our two organizations,” said Prem Natarajan, PhD, EVP, Chief Scientist and Head of Enterprise AI at Capital One. “With the launch of ASKS, we are doubling down on our mission to find solutions to the most challenging problems in AI while providing a platform for the next generation of AI leaders in the U.S. to gain exposure to solving some of the most pressing industry problems through novel advances in science and technology.” Learn more about the Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab on the Research Park website.

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News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

Research Park Executive Director Laura Appenzeller Named to IQMP Leadership Team

CHAMPAIGN — Laura Appenzeller, executive director of the University of Illinois Research Park, has been named to the leadership team of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Appenzeller will serve as Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer for the first-of-its-kind project, while retaining her position with the Research Park as Executive Director. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is connected to IQMP through its leadership team, researchers in quantum science and role in supporting the newly formed IQMP LLC. Harley Johnson, a Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering, is serving as Director and CEO of the IQMP. Brian DeMarco, the IQMP’s Associate Director and Chief Technology Officer, is a professor in the U. of I. physics department and Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) housed in the Grainger College of Engineering. His research team has advanced the frontier of quantum science for over 20 years. “The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will bring innovation, job creation, and economic development to the South Side of Chicago and extend across every corner of our state. I’m thrilled to see such talented individuals step into leadership roles that will guide the day-to-day operations of the campus,” said Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chair of the IQMP’s Board of Managers and chairman/CEO of Milhouse Engineering & Construction and a former member of the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. A separate company of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, IQMP’s governance structure utilizes Research Park’s model as a foundation and developed in the same spirit as a dynamic public-private partnership. While Appenzeller will leverage her extensive experience in advancing complex organizations encompassing federal, state, university and private sector partners for IQMP, she remains rooted in her role at UIRP. “I have full confidence in the Research Park team to handle day-to-day management and provide excellent customer service, while also advancing our strategic direction,” Appenzeller said. “This symbiotic relationship will result in long-term impact on both campuses.” IQMP will support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers and other partners working to facilitate the development of quantum technologies, and will build on historic investments by Governor Pritzker and the state to further establish Illinois as a global hub for this emerging technology. Read more on WCIA’s website, or on the Crain’s Chicago Business website.

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EnterpriseWorks Graduates News Partnerships & Acquisitions

EnterpriseWorks Graduate Network Perception Acquired by Dragos

EnterpriseWorks startup graduate Network Perception was acquired by Dragos Inc., the global leader in cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) environments, the companies announced on October 1, 2024. “The acquisition of Network Perception represents a significant milestone toward our shared mission to secure the world’s industrial and critical infrastructure,” said Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragos. “Network Perception’s compliance capabilities expand Dragos’s already strong foundation for helping organizations meet regulations.” Network Perception was founded in 2014 by Robin Berthier, then a postdoc at the University of Illinois. The cybersecurity software company delivers a pioneering solution that enables cybersecurity managers to gain a comprehensive view of their network security and determine if its configuration aligns with regulatory standards.  Network Perception is the maker of NP-View, an award-winning network visualization platform for OT networks. “Joining forces with Dragos allows us to combine our strengths and deliver even greater value to the OT community,” said Berthier, Network Perception’s CEO. “We are excited to combine our teams, which include some of the brightest minds in industrial cybersecurity, to accelerate innovation and help customers defend against threats and meet regulatory requirements today and tomorrow.” While both companies have a strong presence in the North American Electric sector, the acquisition allows Dragos to bring Network Perception’s capabilities to Dragos customers in oil & gas, manufacturing, and other industries globally, the company said in the news release. Learn more about this milestone on the Dragos website.

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Community Features News Partnerships & Acquisitions

PowerBox Technology joins POETS at Research Park

PowerBox Technology is officially a member of The Center for Power Optimization of Electro-Thermal Systems (POETS) at Research Park. The POETS facility will enable PowerBox to optimize factory operations and drive renewable energy system innovation. PowerBox Technology utilizes simulation software to provide cutting-edge power and energy modeling services, working to minimize renewable energy costs and maximize energy security. PowerBox was founded by University of Illinois alumnus Oscar Azofeifa, who currently serves as the company’s CEO. “Joining forces with top-tier corporations and government institutions, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of our cutting-edge technologies while contributing to groundbreaking research,” said Azofeifa. Industry and Innoation Director at POETS Owen Doyle welcomed PowerBox to the team in a recent LinkedIn post, saying that PowerBox’s “work is a great addition to [their] center.” POETS is an initiative of the Grainger College of Enginnering at the University of Illinois and is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Its ambitious approach to improving the power density of next-generation electro-thermal systems involves integrating traditionally separate research efforts in mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering across different technical domains. Learn more on LinkedIn.

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Community EnterpriseWorks Features Investments News Partnerships & Acquisitions

Eleuthra Photonics provides expertise to MarginDx project

EnterpriseWorks startup Eleuthra Photonics will provide industry and translation expertise for the Margin Diagnostics (MarginDx) project. Funded through the ARPA-H Precision Surgical Interventions (PSI) program, MarginDx combines optical imaging technologies with AI screening tools to ensure, in real-time, that tumor tissue and cells are completely removed during surgery. A large team of researchers and clinicians from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mayo Clinic, Eleuthra Photonics, and other industry and clinical collaborators are working to find an end-to-end solution that will drastically improve surgical outcomes for cancer tumor removal. Eleuthra Photonics was founded in 2023 and was admitted to the I-Start program at EnterpriseWorks. Eleuthra Photonics specializes in developing and producing rapid image-based diagnostic tools for analyzing tissue and cell samples, with a primary focus on cancer and other disease diagnoses. Learn more on the University of Illinois Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute website.

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EnterpriseWorks Graduates News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

EnterpriseWorks Graduate Serionix Signs Deals with Lowe’s and Chewy

Serionix, a graduate of the EnterpriseWorks incubator at Research Park, recently signed deals with major retailers Lowe’s and Chewy to sell its Colorfil air filters. Serionix was founded by James Langer and Weihua Zheng, then University of Illinois graduate students, in 2011. During their tenure at EnterpriseWorks, they developed filtration technology initially designed for NASA. In 2021, the company rebranded its product to focus on air filters for pet owners. The proprietary formula includes color-changing material that indicates when a filter has reached the end of its lifetime. “The idea was to sell a product that would just create peace of mind for our customers,” Langer said. “One of the key benefits of the filters is their ability to capture and neutralize chemicals and particularly odor-causing chemicals in the air.” Since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks incubator in 2019, Serionix has continued operating and manufacturing in Champaign, Illinois. Buy Serionix’s Colorfil filters at Lowe’s and Chewy. Learn more about Serionix and its retail contracts on the News-Gazette.

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EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

Boston Bioprocess Contributing to Establishing the AgTech Corridor as a Biomanufacturing Destination

iFab Tech Hub partners Boston Bioprocess (BBP) and the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) are scaling fermentation tech and jobs in Central Illinois. Boston Bioprocess, an EnterpriseWorks startup, offers full-suite fermentation and downstream processing services at benchtop and pilot scale. It provides clients with the equipment and expertise they need to improve yield, decrease costs, and access products for commercial testing. BBP oversees process development and finalizes parameters, preparing products to be scaled up at IBRL, said BBP cofounder and CEO Michael Tai. “BBP’s early-stage resources and experimental design expertise coupled with IBRL’s pilot-scale infrastructure helps clients smoothly transition from one end of the spectrum to the other,” Tai added. “We provide our clients with access to a suite of assets, talent, and expertise to navigate their scale-up journey.” Learn more about this partnership by reading the full article on its ACES News page.

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News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

Illinois AgTech Accelerator Announces Sixth Cohort

The Illinois AgTech Accelerator, with Serra Ventures serving as a key partner, is welcoming a sixth cohort, gBETA AgTech Accelerator. Research Park is a sponsor of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator The gBETA AgTech Accelerator kicked off in early October and is designed to set a path for startups emerging ag and food technologies succeed by leveraging local, regional and global partnerships with investors, corporations and academic institutions. gBETA AgTech alums have raised more than $6 million in seed funding to date. “At Serra Ventures, we’re committed to supporting AgTech and Agriculture innovation, and our partnership with gener8tor is a key part of that… We’re fortunate to be in the presence of institutions like the University of Illinois, as we’re constantly seeking startups that have positioned themselves to have a wider impact onglobal sustainability and food access. These startups will hopefully redefine the future of agriculture technology.” – Dennis Beard, Managing Partner at Serra Ventures. Other program supporters include Agri-Fab, GEM Realty Capital, University of Illinois Research Park, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and BASF. Attend the CU TechMix on Thursday, November 9 to network with other professionals and companies in the local tech community., including those involved with the new cohort and Illinois AgTech Accelerator. At the end of the program, startup founders will pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event at the EnterpriseWorks incubator at 5 p.m.

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Events News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

AGCO Corporation Training Center Groundbreaking at Parkland College

AGCO Corporation is expanding its imprint on Champaign by introducing the new AGCO Training Center, powered through a partnership with Parkland College. Involved officials gathered to break ground for the center on Parkland College’s campus on Thursday, October 19, 2023. While AGCO has been a part of the University of Illinois Research Park since 2018 through the AGCO Acceleration Center, a demand for trained technicians to work on farm equipment has increased across the country. Plans for the AGCO Training Center were unveiled back in April 2023 by Parkland College President Pam Lau. Parkland received a $5 million donation from AGCO, making the new center possible. The $6 million facility will house a new Service Technician associate in applied science (A.A.S) degree program, which will provide students with instruction specific to AGCO-branded equipment, as well as education in general ag concepts. The program will accept students sponsored by AGCO dealerships. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lau acknowledged the collaboration with the Champaign Country Economic Development Corporation and The University of Illinois. She also mentioned how the new training center is going to make a meaningful contribution. “This is going to facilitate not just training, but planting seeds for technical labs all around the world…. We will be helping farmers feeding the world and Illinois.” – Parkland College President Pam Lau The AGCO Training Center is expected to be constructed by August 2024. About AGCO AGCO stands out as a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology. Learn more about the AGCO Acceleration Center on its Research Park tenant directory.

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