Recognition & Awards

EnterpriseWorks startup EarthSense won the 2020 Innovation Award from the Association of University Research Parks. Each year, the Innovation Award is awarded to a business located in a research park, science park or innovation district.  The award recognizes a company which has developed a product or service through a substantial technology breakthrough or has potential for a significant positive impact on the economic, health or welfare status of a broad spectrum of humanity. 2020 has been a busy year for EarthSense, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign spinout that integrates autonomous robotics, machine-learning, and management. Its first product, the TerraSentia robot, uses a number of sensors to collect data on crop health, as well as machine learning-based analytics to convert this data into actionable insights for farmers. In January, John Deere invited EarthSense to be a Startup Collaborator for 2020. The Startup Collaborator Program “enhances and deepens collaborative relationships with startup companies” whose technology could add value for John Deere customers. In May, EarthSense was selected to be part of the cohort for the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2); selected companies share a focus on developing technologies that support the agricultural sector while reducing environmental impact. While its focus remains agtech, EarthSense has long recognized that its technologies could have wide-ranging impact and applications. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EarthSense is working to adapt its autonomous robots for cleaning in hospitals and public spaces. By reducing the need for sanitary workers, EarthSense’s robotic cleaning units can help lower the community transmission rates of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. In June, this effort received “RAPID” funding from the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to accelerate technology development in hopes of deploying these sanitization robots as soon as possible. “We felt driven to respond to this staggering crisis by accelerating our plan to create products beyond agriculture,” said Girish Chowdhary, co-founder and CTO of EarthSense, Director of the Distributed Autonomous Systems Laboratory, and Donald Biggar Willet Faculty Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “The world needs to mobilize all possible resources to help healthcare professionals treat the unprecedented spike in people needing critical medical care. Autonomously sanitizing high-touch surfaces without “baking the whole room” will significantly improve our ability to help control COVID-19,” said EarthSense co-founder and CEO Chinmay Soman. About EarthSense EarthSense was founded when University of Illinois engineering professor Girish Chowdhary and then postdoc Chinmay Soman partnered to apply their autonomous robotics research to agriculture. The company received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to develop its first robot in 2018 and moved into the EnterpriseWorks incubator at the University of Illinois Research Park to further advance its technology, where it remains today. EarthSense received seed venture capital funding from Illinois Ventures, an early-stage technology investment firm focused on research-derived companies from the University of Illinois, which is co-located at EnterpriseWorks at the University of Illinois Research Park. The company leverages 3D printing and local manufacturing in Central IL to produce their robots and deploy the to large corporate agriculture customers around the world.

EnterpriseWorks startup PSYONIC received the Fourth Revolution Awards’ Product of the Year honors during a virtual ceremony held Oct. 13. PSYONIC was also a finalist in the Rising Star of the Year category along with former EnterpriseWorks startup, Cast21. Former EnterpriseWorks student startup, Mesh++ was awarded Rising Star of the Year. The Fourth Revolution Awards celebrates regional manufacturing for its leadership and innovation as the industry stands on the brink of a new technological revolution. The ceremony culminates in the presentation of eight awards to deserving leaders, companies, and industrial initiatives that have made significant contributions to the Midwest region’s manufacturing ecosystem.  PSYONIC makes advanced bionic limbs that are accessible to all people with amputations. PSYONIC launched the Ability Hand (Patent Pending), its first product, in 2019 which was an advanced bionic hand that was the fastest on the market, easy to control, provided touch feedback, and was robust to impacts. Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, CEO and Founder, received his PhD in Neuroscience and MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cast21 is introducing a medical cast for treating broken bones to increase patient comfort and decrease medical complications. This product is completely waterproof, and its open design allows enables doctors to see the break site and dress accompanying wounds. Ashley S. H. Moy, CEO and Founder, received her BS in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mesh++ brings WiFi everywhere, regardless of preexisting infrastructure. Their efficient routing protocol allows for small, solar-powered routers to support high-speed access without the need for electrical, ethernet, or physical supports. They hope to bring online resources to outdoor spaces around the world. Danny Gardner, CEO and Founder, received his BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Genective, an agtech company that opened its new global headquarters at Research Park in March, is a finalist for Agrow’s Crop Science Awards 2020 in the “best industry collaboration” category. Genective was nominated together with collaborator AgBiome.    The award winners will be announced on Nov. 4. More on the awards: https://chemweek.com/CW/Document/114281/Shortlist-revealed-for-Agrows-Crop-Science-Awards-2020…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:September 29, 2020 Contact: Lauren Huffman Lauren.Huffman@illinois.gov State of Illinois Announces U of I Research Park One of 24 Recipients Nationwide for the SBA FAST Grant Competitive award will expand reach of EnterpriseWorks incubator and help accelerate funding and support for emerging tech businesses across Illinois CHAMPAIGN – The State of Illinois today announced that EnterpriseWorks, the tech incubator at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Research Park, has been awarded a competitive grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the growth and development of tech companies across the state. The university-based tech hub is one of 24 awardees nationwide granted by the SBA’s Office of Innovation and Technology under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. “Illinois is already a leader in tech, and this new FAST Grant will position one of our leading drivers in tech innovation to help more bold Illinois entrepreneurs take their business to the next level,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “New investments in entrepreneurs working through the EnterpriseWorks incubator will complement the work we’ve done to make Illinois a top destination for tech – with talent and ground-breaking research coming out of our tremendous universities essential to propelling the state’s tech economy. Congratulations to the U of I Research Park team on this prestigious award that will help support more homegrown tech companies compete for resources they need to start and grow right here in Illinois.” The FAST grant provides funding to expand training, mentoring, and assistance to help research and development focused small businesses access federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) seed capital.  EnterpriseWorks will leverage its $125,000 grant to expand the reach of its incubator services and to improve seed funding outcomes for more entrepreneurs and companies across the state – with a focus on increasing participation from women-owned, rural-based, and socio-economically disadvantaged small businesses. “We are very grateful to the SBA for this opportunity to help elevate the State of Illinois ecosystem’s participation in the SBIR program, and our aim is to bring more SBIR funding to Illinois,” said Laura Frerichs, Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park and the EnterpriseWorks incubator.  “We have diligently worked to build support systems for innovative entrepreneurs both here in the Champaign-Urbana tech community and with partners statewide. The FAST Partnership will provide us with more bandwidth and resources to broaden participation in the SBIR program and work more intentionally with underserved communities.” The award is the result of a competitive review process conducted by the SBA and SBIR, as well as a nomination from the State of Illinois. The application process required support from the State of Illinois, which is limited to just one organization. As the sponsoring agency, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) chose EnterpriseWorks through a competitive process. “U of I’s EnterpriseWorks’ new FAST grant will provide a boost for tech and science entrepreneurs in communities across Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Erin B. Guthrie. “While Illinois is known as a powerhouse for tech, under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, we are committed to making investments that make entry into this space more accessible for companies of all types and sizes. DCEO is proud to nominate U of I’s EnterpriseWorks program for this prestigious funding that will help advance growth opportunities for more companies throughout Illinois, and which could pave the way to the next big research breakthrough out of Illinois.” The FAST program supports innovative entrepreneurs from underserved communities by helping them compete for federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs which provide essential seed capital to jumpstart companies and sustain their future growth. “All across the country, our FAST partners address the unique needs of next-generation, high-tech small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza.  “In Illinois, the FAST Grant will bolster efforts by the University of Illinois’ tech business incubator, EnterpriseWorks, to support more innovative entrepreneurs from underserved communities – a primary mission for the SBA. Programs like FAST are more critical now than ever before as the SBA is laser-focused on helping small businesses recover and once again propel the national economy forward.” At EnterpriseWorks, the FAST support will fund training programs and workshops as well as individual mentoring, grant preparation assistance, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and interested applicants. EnterpriseWorks partners with a network of technology consultants, innovators, and entrepreneurs to provide training, technical assistance, and mentoring to technology startup clients locally and across the state. Since its founding in 2003, EnterpriseWorks has helped R&D focused startups and small businesses to receive 471 SBIR/STTR awards totaling over $154 million. With about a third of its clients based in Champaign, the incubator has committed to leveraging FAST funds to broaden its reach so that it can support more clients from across the state. Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an innovation hub for startups and companies. This vibrant ecosystem is home to over 120 companies, as well as EnterpriseWorks, the 43,000 sq ft business incubator specializing in early stage tech firms. The incubator provides a multitude of assistance, including research commercialization, entrepreneurship support, seed funding opportunities, networking opportunities with potential partners and investors, and workshops. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will be the Illinois host for the 2020 SBIR Week in the Midwest, scheduled for Oct. 19-22. Participants can register for FREE here.  EnterpriseWorks also hosts free SBIR/STTR workshops each fall and spring, which are available virtually.  The next series starts on Sept. 29.  Illinois’ university system is essential to propelling the state’s tech economy. According to the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC) 1,064 startups were founded by students and faculty of Illinois’ universities over the past five years. Nearly three out of five of those startups remain active (59.4 percent), and more than two-thirds remain located in Illinois (68.5 percent). These startups have direct economic benefit to the state through new job creation – those founded in Illinois over the past five years have created

AirV Labs, a global leader in rapid creation of mixed reality content for advanced human centered applications, has won the NASSCOM Manufacturing Innovation Challenge 2020,India, in the 360° Virtual Tour of Plant category for the company’s novel use of 360° video technology. Launched by NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (CoE), the challenge offered a premier, collaborative platform for industry leaders and startups to bring about a digital shift in the manufacturing sector while fostering the innovation ecosystem in India. With the award comes a guaranteed commercial project from Bayer Crop Sciences, India. AirV Labs is a technology company based at EnterpriseWorks that specializes in virtual reality-based solutions, including analytics. Among its groundbreaking product solutions, it has developed a proprietary authoring tool called the AirVu™ Platform for industrial, enterprise, and educational 360° video applications. The award-winning technology allows integration of 360° video of a given scenario with three-dimensional (3D) data such as CAD, graphs, medical charts, functioning model of machines, and automation, as well as with enterprise-level information like bill of material, circuit diagrams, inventory, barcodes and more. AirV Labs can rapidly prototype highly-advanced cyber learning platforms that leverage the strengths of virtual, augmented andmixed reality technologies to create a new immersive interface for the users. “AirV Labs is proud to be the winner of 360° Virtual Tour of Plant, selected from a crowded field of competitors,” said Mr. Faisal Yazadi, CEO AirV Labs USA. “Winning such a prestigious award is validation of our novel technology, which is primed to meet the growing demands of industry to deploy cost-effective,scalable solutions, while addressing collaboration in distributed environments and advanced training with minimized social interactions. Our global team is ready to deliver innovative, mixed reality projects through collaboration and partnerships with industry leaders.” “The current business scenario has undergone a paradigm shift and it necessitates businesses to re-strategize,” said Mr. Chinmay Sengupta, CEO, AirV Labs India. “Our technology will enable businesses to conduct their global operations more sustainably, while changing the way their teams experience and learn throughprogressive virtual environments.” AirV Labs was founded by Dr. Kesh Kesavadas, professor of industrial engineering and computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Read the entire news release online HERE.