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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Recognition & Awards

    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Milhouse Appointed to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees

    Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Wilbur C. Milhouse III to serve as a Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.  Milhouse is a two-time graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a M.S. in Structural Engineering and in Civil Engineering and a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Since 2019, Milhouse has served on the Research Park Board of Managers.  Pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate, Milhouse will fill the seat vacated by Naomi Jakobsson. His term runs through Jan. 15, 2029.

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    Events News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Eric Miller Awarded 2023 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism

    Champaign, Illinois (March 7, 2023) — Eric Miller has been named the recipient of this year’s Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, an award that honors a grower/producer/farmer who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices. Miller farms 400 acres in Piatt County, where he works extensively with University of Illinois researchers. “Eric is passionate about conserving and efficiently using the resources that make Illinois agriculture so productive and envied. He’s not only given University of Illinois staff access to his entire farm, but for a sufficient period that allows longitudinal studies. This scale and timeframe help identify much more predictable and repeatable ‘proof of concept’ outcomes,” said his nominator, Daniel Schaefer, Director of Nutrient Stewardship at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association. The award was announced at the 2023 AgTech Innovation Summit, hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park. Karl Barnhart, Chief Marketing Officer of BRANDT, presented the award to Miller. “Eric is exactly the kind of grower we envisioned that the GB Prize could support when we established it three years ago,” said Barnhart. “Just like Glen Brandt, Eric is a real entrepreneur in the field of production agriculture. On behalf of The BRANDT Foundation, congratulations, Eric.” Miller said he hopes partner with BRANDT as he deploys the award’s $10,000 prize. He recently entered an agreement to expand his farm’s facilities Miller has assisted the University of Illinois with large-scale on-farm research since 2014. During the past eight years, Miller has transitioned his Central Illinois farm into a dedicated crop production improvement site. He performs field operations and collects data per the requirements of projects that are assigned to the farm. The goal is to develop strategies that simultaneously improve yield, environmental and economic outcomes. This crop improvement site is helping to define the future of Illinois agriculture. Some examples of testing that is taking place at the site include long-term monitoring of soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, various soil health metrics and yield. The Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism was established in 2021 in honor of Glen “GB” Brandt, a legendary figure in the field of Illinois agriculture, who passed away in late 2020. The BRANDT Foundation partnered with the University of Illinois to provide the winner a $10,000 prize. Previous Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism winners include: Matt Riggs, 2022 Will Glazik, 2021 About the BRANDT Foundation  The BRANDT Foundation was established in 2012 as a philanthropic extension of BRANDT, Inc. The Brandt family has always stood with their communities and as their company grew, so did the opportunities to give back. The BRANDT Foundation offers donations, grants, and support to the charities, organizations, and communities that reside in the same area of the company; geographically and industry-related. About the AgTech Innovation Summit  The AgTech Innovation Summit is an interactive conference where participants learn and share knowledge about the current state of agtech and get a looking into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. It is produced by the University of Illinois Research Park in partnership with the College of ACES and the Office of Corporate Relations. One of the premier AgTech hubs in the nation, Champaign-Urbana is uniquely positioned to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and industry for learning, networking, and advancing this sector.

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    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Farmers Risk Awarded 2023 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize 

    Champaign, Illinois (March 8, 2023) – Farmers Risk, a startup company that is developing tools for farmers to better understand their risk management strategies, has been named the 2023 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize winner. The award, generously funded by a family of University of Illinois alumni, rewards University of Illinois entrepreneurs focusing on agricultural innovations.  The Research Park and the Moore family together presented the award to Farmers Risk co-founder Eric Barnard during the 2023 AgTech Innovation Summit at the Illinois Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois.  The company operates out of an office at EnterpriseWorks, the technology incubator in the Research Park.  Farmers Risk is working to create a variety of software tools that allow farmers to easily monitor their risk, trade with confidence and be aware of all of their possible business options. The goal of the startup is to give farmers more access to data that can help improve their own outcomes and make more profitable decisions. Its analytical tools help farmers more effectively market their grain, buy crop insurance, hedge their crops as well as improve their overall revenue decision-making. These revolutionary tools are helping to innovate the future of agtech, and are giving farmers the tools they need to make the right decisions in their industry.   The Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize’s goal is to encourage startup companies engaged in the development of new innovative technologies that may lead to increased productivity and/or efficiency in farming, or to create new agricultural opportunities, including new processes, new crops, and new food production systems.  Previous Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund winners include:  FrostDefense Envirotech, 2022 Epivara, 2021 Habiterre (formerly Aspiring Universe), 2020 TellTail, 2019 EarthSense, 2018 Soil Diagnostics, 2017  For more information about Farmers Risk, visit its website here.  About the Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize  The Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s technology incubator. The award honors the legacy of Edwin E. Moore (1924), who graduated from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture and began farming in Will County. Throughout his agricultural career, he and his wife, Iva, used innovative farming practices for both crop production and livestock management. Two of their four children became farmers, Edwin and Thomas (1953, College of Agriculture), and continued use of innovative farm practices. Subsequent generations of Edwin Moore’s family have continued to pursue farming and ag related careers capturing the same innovative spirit.  About the Research Park at the University of Illinois  The Research Park at the University of Illinois at 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.  

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    Community Events News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

    2023 Research Park AgTech Summit Attracts Global Audience, Speakers

    Research Park welcomed more than 600 registered participants from 200 companies for the 2023 AgTech Summit. Attendees hailed from across the Midwest and around the globe.  The agenda featured panels on hot topics including sustainability in agriculture, carbon strategy, opportunities in alternative proteins, the future of the agtech workforce, and the intelligent farm. The event concluded with a panel of growers and producers from across Central Illinois sharing their perspective on many of those topics addressed in earlier discussions. The moderators and panelists represented a range of the actors in agtech, including startups, investors, academics, industry, media, growers, government, and non-profit. The AgTech Summit is a free event that is open to the public, true to the land-grant mission of its host institution. Thanks to the 2023 AgTech Summit sponsors who made the event possible:  John Deere, World Business Chicago, Bayer, Corteva, Cargill, GDM, Sikich, and Kin + Carta. The AgTech Summit is hosted by University of Illinois Research Park with support from the University of Illinois, the College of ACES, and the Office of Corporate Relations. The AgTech Summit is the flagship event for Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week. 2023 was the fourth annual C-U AgTech Week. Save the date for next year’s AgTech Summit on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. NEWS BITES: March 7, WCIA: U of I kicks off AgTech Week March 6, WCIA: AgTech Week back for fourth year See below for the 2023 agenda.  7:30 AM REGISTRATION OPENS  8:00 AM WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS  Laura Appenzeller | Executive Director, University of Illinois Research Park  8:05 AM CHAMPAIGN-URBANA WELCOME WEEK PROCLAMATION Deborah Frank Feinen | Mayor, City of Champaign Diane Wolfe Marlin | Mayor, City of Urbana 8:15 AM THE JOURNEY OF SUSTAINABILITY Brad Arnold | SVP, General Manager Precision, AGCO Corporation Paul Hunter | Global Sustainability Manager, Kin + Carta Emily Heaton | Regenerative Ag Stakeholder Coordinator, UIUC College of ACES Moderator: Kim Kidwell | Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign 9:15 AM OPPORTUNITIES IN ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS Michelle Ruiz | CEO & Co-founder,  Hyfe Sean Madison | Director of North American Business Development, Innovafeed Michael Tai | Co-founder & CEO, Boston Bioprocess Moderator: Jack Marck | Managing Director, Illinois AgTech Accelerator 10:15 AM BREAK 10:30 AM CARBON STRATEGY IN AGTECH Dennis Beard | Managing Partner, Serra Ventures Nick Reinke | CEO, HabiTerre  Ross Bricklemyer | Modeling Strategy Lead, Bayer Crop Science Moderator: Lisa Ainsworth | Research Leader, USDA ARS 11:30 AM GLEN “GB” BRANDT PRIZE FOR AG ENTREPRENEURISM  11:45 AM LUNCH 12:30 PM THE FUTURE OF THE AGTECH WORKFORCE Laura Gerstner | Director of Precision Tech Enterprise Program Management, CNHI Maggie Brickerman | Partner,  gener8tor  Jen Quinlan | Food & Agtech Innovation Program Lead, Cargill Amy Funk | Director, Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovation Center Moderator: Amy Fruehling | Sr. Director Corporate Relations, UIUC College of ACES 1:30 PM MOORE INNOVATION PRIZE AND STARTUP PRESENTATION  1:45 PM BREAK 2:00 PM THE INTELLIGENT FARM Brian Sutton | Founder and President, AirScout Mark Moran | Tech Innovation Leader, John Deere Connie Bowen | Co-Founder, Farmhand Ventures Jeff Klock | North America Digital Strategy Leader, Cargill Moderator: Germán Bollero, Interim Dean, UIUC College of ACES 3:00 PM PERSPECTIVE OF GROWERS & PRODUCERS Mark Scholl | President, J and M Scholl, Inc. Lena Head | Co-Owner & External Relations Manager, Head Bros. Land and Cattle LLC Matt Riggs | President, Riggs Beer Company Moderator: Sarah Michaels | Agriculture Reporter, WEEK 25 4:00 AGTECH SHOWCASE & NETWORKING RECEPTION  You’re invited to join us for the AgTech Showcase & Networking event immediately following the Summit at the Illinois Conference Center. The AgTech Showcase is an opportunity to connect with other attendees and see what innovations companies are working on. Snacks and beverages will be provided.  

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    Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Research Park Boosts Illinois Ranking For Women-Led Startups to No. 10

    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.

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Vote Today: HabiTerre Selected as Finalist for THRIVE | Shell Climate-Smart Agriculture Challenge

    MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT! EnterpriseWorks startup HabiTerre needs your support. The THRIVE | Shell Climate-Smart Agriculture Challenge has selected HabiTerre as a finalist. As part of this esteemed competition, there is a People’s Choice Award in addition to the overall prize. Please take a moment to join HabiTerre’s supporters and vote online. Voting is being captured through AirTable – voters will be asked for name and affiliation. HabiTerre will present to a judging panel in the coming weeks for the overall prize, which rewards world-leading innovation in climate-smart agriculture. Find the full press release HERE. The finalists include 11 startup and scale-up innovators who are driving the global transformation to climate-smart agricultural practices. More specifically, the Challenge will recognize innovations that help farmers by finding: solutions that promote carbon sequestration and avoid emissions while improving soil health; solutions to improve farm connectivity to access carbon markets and carbon financing; and solutions that measure and quantify soil carbon, soil health, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. HabiTerre CEO Nick Reinke will be a featured panelist at the upcoming AgTech Innovation Summit – register today. Congrats to all of the HabiTerre team – especially Nick and founder Kaiyu Guan!

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    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Chicagoland Billboard Campaign Features EnterpriseWorks Startups

    A marketing campaign presented by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hitting billboards across Chicagoland features several startups at EnterpriseWorks and Research Park. Those include: Network Perception: Now located in Chicago, Network Perception incubated at EnterpriseWorks. It has multiple UIUC faculty co-founders and its CEO is a former staff member. Prenonis: Now located in Chicago, Prenonis also incubated at EnterpriseWorks and has faculty co-founders. Tiesta Tea: This Chicago success story also got its start at EnterpriseWorks, where it was co-founded by one student from UIUC and one student from University of Illinois-Chicago. Ocient: in its early stages, Chicago-based Ocient opened an office at EnterpriseWorks.

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    Features Internships News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    New Podcast: Finding Success as a Research Park Intern

    The most recent episode of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast features interviews with two of the winners of the 2022 Research Park intern awards.  Tune in to hear from David An and Natalie Xiong, two winners of this year’s annual intern award program. They discuss their perceptions of RP, memorable moments, skills gained, and advice for students listening who are curious about what Research Park has to offer. An was a data science intern at Ameren when he won the “Outstanding Undergraduate” award. Xiong, who won the “Outstanding Graduate Student” award, continues working at Riverbed, where she is a Data Science intern. Listen to the conversation that host Tanmay Shaw had with David and Natalie in to the latest edition of the Innovations @ Research Park Podcast. To listen to the podcast, visit Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to download your podcasts. Is there something you want to know about Research Park? Do you have an idea for a guest for the show, or a story we should pursue? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    HabiTerre Awarded $75,000 Arch Grants Prize

    EnterpriseWorks startup HabiTerre has won $75,000 in the Arch Grants startup competition. HabiTerre monitors, measures, and analyzes global and local resource levels and provide actionable insights for optimal management of land and water. It was founded at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Arch Grants is a St. Louis nonprofit that annually awards $75,000 equity-free grants to startups. It awarded 23 companies in 2022.  Co-founder Dr. Kaiyu Guan, CEO Nick Reinke, Senior Modeling Scientist Bin Ping and Chief Engineer Yizhi Huang represented HabiTerre at the Arch Grants gala on Friday, Nov. 18. As part of the Arch Grants award, each company will commit to operating their business from St. Louis for at least one year; HabiTerre plans to continue its presence at EnterpirseWorks.

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Identomat Named Top Startup at GITI 2022

    EnterpriseWorks cybersecurity startup Identomat was recognized as the top IT startup at the Georgian IT Innovations Conference earlier this month. Identomat has built an AI-powered Know Your Customer and identity verification for traditional & Blockchain spaces. GITI is an annual event held in Tlibisi, Georgia which focuses on digital transformation, GovTech, FinTech, Information, and Cybersecurity. It has become a flagship event  in the Central and East Europe, Baltic States, Caucasus, and Middle Asia region. More than 500 participants from over 20 countries attend. Identomat was founded in Georgia. Its US headquarters is located in Champaign at the EnterpriseWorks incubator. Find out more information about Identomat here.

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