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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Research Park

    AgTech Summit EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park Startup

    Finalists Announced for Startup World Cup: Agriculture And Food Regional Pitch Competition

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (March 4, 2026) — In partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures and Serra Ventures, the University of Illinois Research Park is excited to announce the 10 startups selected as finalists for the Startup World Cup: Agriculture and Food Regional pitch competition. The second annual event will take place during the AgTech Innovation Summit on March 10 in Champaign, where the 10 finalists will present their business ideas and models to a judging panel of investors and industry experts. The winner will move on to the Startup World Cup Finale in November, where it will compete against other regional winners for a $1 million investment. The following startups have been selected to compete at the Startup World Cup Agriculture and Food Regional: American Prime Sustainable Solutions – From space to field, American Prime turns satellite and AI intelligence into real-time agricultural decisions, powering autonomous action, scalable operations and measurable outcomes across every acre. C16 Biosciences – Produces fermentation-derived oils that outperform traditional commodities on stability and sustainability while supplying global brands at commercial scale. DMR INTERNATIONAL INC. – Provides a drop-in antimicrobial pellet solution that upgrades stormwater and wastewater treatment performance without new infrastructure or hazardous chemicals. Explain Ag – Builds science-based enterprise software that embeds predictive agronomic intelligence into customer systems to drive scalable sales growth and durable competitive advantage. Farmland Stock Exchange – Connects retiring landowners with tenant farmers to solve farmland succession and access challenges, leveraging deep Illinois roots and strategic farmer-investors to secure first-mover advantage and trusted deal flow. GigaCrop, Inc. – Engineers enhanced photosynthesis seed traits that bypass biological yield limits to double crop productivity and improve drought resilience across major crops. LegacyAcres – Digitizes farm succession planning with expert-built logic and strategic distribution partnerships that help farm families transition ownership with clarity and confidence. Soil1 LLC – Delivers sub-$1, instant soil health testing that empowers farmers to make real-time regenerative and carbon-smart decisions without relying on costly lab analysis. SpecVision – Turns equipment photos into verified specifications in minutes, delivering 75% lower assessment costs while building the industry’s first compounding equipment data layer. TerraForce, Inc. – Deploys farm-scale robotic fruit harvesters that match human labor costs while delivering faster, safer and compliance-free picking and packing. About the AgTech Summit The AgTech Innovation Summit brings together leaders in industry, entrepreneurs, investors and academics to address pressing agricultural challenges and explore emerging solutions. Programmed and hosted by University of Illinois Research Park, 2026 marks the 11th edition of this annual event. AgTech is one of the fastest growing industry clusters in the Research Park and the broader Champaign-Urbana region. To learn more about the AgTech Summit, visit the event homepage. About the Startup World Cup The Startup World Cup is a global series of startup competitions and conferences powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With over 100 regional events across 60+ countries, the competition culminates in a Grand Finale in Silicon Valley on November 6, 20256 where the top startups from each region will compete for a $1 million investment prize. For a complete list of regional events, visit the Startup World Cup website. About Pegasus Tech Ventures Pegasus Tech Ventures is a leading global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, with over $2 billion in assets under management. Pegasus supports emerging technology companies worldwide by providing both intellectual and financial capital. They also offer a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large corporations looking to partner with cutting-edge startups. Learn more at the Pegasus Tech Ventures website.  

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    Media Mentions News Research Park Uncategorized

    Synchrony and University of Illinois Help Students Jumpstart Tech Careers

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Feb. 26, 2026) — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) students are learning that an internship with Synchrony is a great way to jumpstart their careers. A leading consumer financial services company, Synchrony powers tens of millions of customers at hundreds of thousands of businesses – from major retailers like Lowe’s, Sam’s Club and Amazon to small and medium-sized merchants that rely on consumer financing. Synchrony’s products provide the financial flexibility customers want to buy and pay for the things that matter to them. U. of I. contributes to that success through a partnership with Synchrony to advance innovation and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. More than 400 U. of I. students have gained hands-on experience at the Synchrony Emerging Technology Center (ETC), with some going on to land full-time jobs at Synchrony. Synchrony’s ETC is located within Research Park, a technology hub where companies are embedded on the U. of I. campus to accelerate innovation. This year, Synchrony expanded the ETC to nearly 11,000 square feet, doubling down on its investment in developing Illinois’ tech talent through skills training in AI, data science, engineering and human-centered design – an extension of Synchrony’s broader education initiatives to [expand credit access and] build strong financial foundations for Americans. On the Fast-Track: From Intern to Innovator Amy Chen, an information systems major (Class of 2023), started as a Synchrony intern in her sophomore year, working out of the ETC during the school year. Don’t let the “intern” title fool you. Amy took on real responsibilities from Day One—helping to develop a desk booking reservation app for Synchrony’s hybrid workspaces, analyzing customer experience improvements and designing user interfaces. The internship led to her acceptance into Synchrony’s two-year Business Leadership Program (BLP) in the summer of 2022, which is designed to accelerate the careers of tomorrow’s  leaders. She joined a team building an app for the Apple Vision Pro headset and even demonstrated the new app to the company’s board of directors.   “My managers have made it clear that I am valued, and that my work makes an impact,” Amy says. “With Synchrony, I see a future I’m excited about.” Now as a full-time technical product lead with the emerging payments team, Amy works on digital payment solutions like Google Pay and Apple Pay. Where Learning Powers Real-World Impact Yousef Ahmad (Class of 2023) was introduced to Synchrony at a U. of I. Datathon, where students selected company prompts to solve real-world problems. Majoring in econometrics and quantitative economics, Yousef chose Synchrony’s challenge to streamline call center operations and was inspired by the trust the company placed in participants to source and analyze their own data. This led to a Synchrony externship during Yousef’s sophomore year, followed by an internship at the Emerging Tech Center and selection to the company’s Business Leadership Program. During his BLP experience, Yousef participated in a hackathon at Synchrony headquarters in Stamford, CT where he and his team took second place for a proposal aimed at creating a faster customer experience. He also enjoyed community service projects organized by Synchrony, volunteering to pack backpacks and meals at local schools. “Every week, you learned something new, and you’re surrounded by people who you could learn from — senior executives as well as peers,” he said. “It was awesome.” Today, Yousef works full-time at Synchrony in model optimization, helping to maintain the efficiency of credit and risk models that underpin the company’s offerings. Visualizing the Future Like Amy and Yousef, Class of 2026 ETC intern Dylan Subramanian is on the fast track. He has made the journey to the BLP program and already has a job lined up with Synchrony after graduation in June 2026. A combined computer science and economics major, he started at Synchrony in summer 2024, working on projects like developing an automated system that reissues credit cards flagged for fraud. Dylan’s biggest accomplishment so far has been developing a sophisticated data visualization— a digital globe that maps credit card applications — that he prototyped in Javascript. He presented it to senior leadership and expanded it during hackathons by integrating the project into larger dashboards and demonstrating its real business impact. “One of my favorite parts of my experience at Synchrony has been the focus on innovation and collaboration,” Dylan says. “Hackathons and brainstorming sessions challenged me to build creative projects and offered incredible opportunities for learning and personal growth. Synchrony’s emphasis on cutting-edge technology and teamwork has truly been a highlight of my time here.” Those words are especially gratifying to Karin Dor Markovich, Associate Vice President, Technology Early Career Programs at Synchrony and leader of the ETC. “We focus on providing students’ real-world experience and help them pursue careers in tech, data science, and other areas of our business,” she says. “We do that by offering a flexible, student-centered approach that fosters skills valued by employers like problem-solving and communication. The students do the rest — it’s rewarding to see them succeed, and we’re proud to continue to grow this partnership.”

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    Community Features News Research Park

    New Podcast Episode: Year in Review 2025

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Jan. 8, 2026) – Research Park leaders Laura Appenzeller and Laura Bleill join the Innovations at Research Park podcast to reflect on a milestone year celebrating the Research Park’s 25th anniversary. This episode, hosted by Tanmay Shah, explores the achievements that made 2025 unforgettable and the plans that will shape the next quarter century. When discussing the Research Park’s 25-year legacy, Appenzeller highlighted its lasting impact on student careers and the broader innovation ecosystem. “We’ve been able to employ thousands of students. The impact is really many people that have had some time that they’ve spent at the Research Park, whether that’s a startup or an intern or an employee that goes on to a successful career elsewhere,” Appenzeller said.  Looking to the future, Bleill discussed what’s ahead for Research Park, including plans for a new incubator facility and residential development. “We are at an inflection point. I think we have a lot of things that we are looking at as opportunities that could truly be transformational and, honestly, a generational opportunity for us looking forward,” Bleill said. To hear the full conversation about Research Park’s past, present and future, tune in to the Innovations at Research Park podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast network. The Innovations at Research Park podcast highlights Champaign’s thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture. It is hosted by Tanmay Shah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus.  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? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

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    AgTech Summit News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Nominations Sought for 2026 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Dec. 1, 2025) – Nominations are now being accepted for the sixth annual Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, recognizing an Illinois farmer for their role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the ag sector. View the nomination form here. The deadline for submission is Feb. 2, 2026. Established in 2021 to honor the memory of GB Brandt, a legendary figure in the field of Illinois agriculture, the $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to a nominee who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices, crop growing processes, or product usage. The prize is a partnership between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and The BRANDT Foundation. The winner will be announced and recognized at the AgTech Innovation Summit, an annual event produced by the University of Illinois Research Park on March 10, 2026. Those eligible for the prize include Illinois farmers, growers and producers or those engaged with Illinois farmers, growers and producers. Nominees should be connected with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and/or its affiliates, including University of Illinois Extension. A full list of eligibility criteria is available in the nomination form. Roger Bock, fifth-generation farmer and owner of Wolf Creek Farm in Williamsville, Illinois was the fifth annual recipient of the Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism. A University of Illinois alumnus, Bock works with the University of Illinois Extension and plant science department to optimize lesser growing areas by rotating in edible crops across his 1,200-acre operation of corn, soybeans, and specialty vegetables. Read the full story on the Research Park website. Past Brandt Prize Winners 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 farms, charities, and organizations in the areas where the company does business. About the AgTech Innovation Summit Hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park, the AgTech Innovation Summit is an interactive conference where participants learn and share knowledge about the current state of AgTech and get a look into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. 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. Contacts Karl BarnhartThe BRANDT Foundation karl.barnhart@brandt.co Laura BleillResearch Parklwbleill@illinois.edu ###

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    Events News Research Park

    AgTech Summit Registration Opens for 2026

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Nov. 3, 2025) —  Registration is now open for the 11th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit, presented by Bayer, taking place Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Illinois Conference Center in Champaign. The summit will feature fireside chats with Mike Graham, head of research and development, Crop Science at Bayer; Jerry Costello II, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; and Kaiyu Guan, founder and executive chairman of HabiTerre. Panel discussions will explore AI applications in agriculture, sustainable aviation fuel, and emerging opportunities in the industry. Returning for its second year at the summit, the Startup World Cup Ag and Food Regional will give 10 entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their ideas at the AgTech Summit. The winner will move forward to the Grand F3ginale in October 2026 for a chance to win a $1 million investment. Additional speakers and session details will be announced in the coming weeks. The conference remains free thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. The summit is part of Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, which celebrates Champaign-Urbana’s robust AgTech ecosystem, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Parkland College, corporate innovation centers, startups, state-of-the-art facilities, student organizations, local ag companies, and the iFAB Tech Hub. Other AgTech Week events include the Center for Digital Agriculture Conference, IBRL Precision Fermentation Workshops, the iFAB Biomanufacturing Summit, the Serra Ventures Investor Retreat, the CABBI Greenhouse Open House, and facility tours at IBRL, Boston Bioprocess and Earnest Agriculture. A full schedule of events can be found here. Nominations are also open for the Glen “GB” Brandt Prize, to be awarded at the summit. This $10,000 cash prize honors GB Brandt’s legacy by recognizing individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and advance innovation in business practices, crop-growing processes, or product development. A more detailed agenda for the event will be announced soon. Registration is available online. 

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    News Research Park

    Governor Pritzker Announces Cache Energy to Expand Manufacturing Facility in Illinois

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Cache Energy today announced the company will expand their operations at a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Champaign, creating 20 new jobs and retaining their current workforce. The $2.5 million investment from Cache Energy is supported by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement with DCEO.   “Illinois is proudly leading the way in the clean energy revolution with new jobs, economic growth, and groundbreaking progress in the clean energy manufacturing sector,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m pleased to see Cache Energy expand its operations right here in Illinois, and I applaud the company’s innovative approach to renewable energy storage as Illinois takes bold steps toward a more sustainable future.”   Cache is a start-up that develops and manufactures long duration, clean energy storage technology leveraging limestone as the feed material. Cache’s technology is built on thermochemical energy storage, utilizing the company’s proprietary process to convert lime powder into pellets. When these pellets are exposed to water in a reactor, the heat energy produced by the exothermic reaction can be harnessed directly or used to generate steam for electricity production.at energy produced by the exothermic reaction can be harnessed directly or used to generate steam for electricity production. Cache’s process can store energy from any renewable source for months under ambient conditions at a fraction of the cost compared to a lithium-ion battery.                                                                “We have a bold vision for the future – one where low-cost, reliable energy is accessible to every American,” stated Arpit Dwivedi, Founder of Cache Energy. “I’m proud to stand with my team and the State of Illinois as we launch this great partnership. Together, through Cache we’re creating high-quality jobs and advancing cutting-edge energy projects right here in Illinois. This further strengthens our commitment to a fully domestic energy supply chain, reinforcing both Illinois and America’s leadership in energy security and resilience.”    This expansion will include the setup of a one-ton-per-hour manufacturing line for energy storage materials, which will involve the procurement of specialized manufacturing equipment from Illinois-based vendors and the installation of the production line. In addition, Cache will build, test, and operate a first-of-its-kind, one-megawatt energy storage system, which will store electricity generated from renewable sources and release it during peak demand periods. The investment will enhance Cache streamline production to help meet Illinois’ clean energy goals.   “Through the REV Illinois program, we are enhancing the state’s position as a national leader in clean energy innovation and manufacturing with a strong focus on fostering deeper partnerships with higher education institutions,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “By investing in collaboration with academic institutions, we are creating high-quality jobs, advancing sustainable technologies, and driving long-term economic growth to build a greener, more resilient future for Illinois.”   Guided by Illinois’ Economic Growth Plan, the REV Illinois program supports a key growth industry for the state – clean energy production and manufacturing. REV Illinois offers competitive incentives for companies all along the supply chain in the electric vehicle and renewables sector to expand in or relocate to Illinois. A link to the full REV agreement can be found here.   “We’re proud that Cache Energy continues to grow in Champaign and has chosen a location in Apollo Industrial Park as their new manufacturing facility,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “By choosing to build its long-duration energy storage solutions here—and creating new jobs—the company is not only accelerating the innovation of the energy storage industry but also strengthening our local economy and workforce capabilities.”   Governor Pritzker has committed to growing the clean energy production and advanced manufacturing industries, which continue to thrive because of strong state leadership and a commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic competitiveness. This announcement adds to a growing list of clean energy manufacturers that have recently chosen to expand or establish their business in Illinois, including Nano Nuclear, Richardson Electronics, Pure Lithium, and more.   “Cache’s growth shows how local and state entrepreneurship ecosystems can unite to support founders from idea to execution,” stated Gerald Wilson, Director of Entrepreneurship at EnterpriseWorks and the University of Illinois Research Park. “From a slide deck to a thriving company, Cache leveraged resources to grow, including the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program at EnterpriseWorks and the state of Illinois’ Innovation Voucher Program. With strong support and focused leadership, this model is a repeatable formula for success.”      

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EarthSense Competes in Startup World Cup Grand Finale

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Oct. 21, 2025) — EarthSense, an EnterpriseWorks graduate based at the University of Illinois Research Park, competed in the Startup World Cup semifinals in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2025. Founded in 2016 by CEO Chinmay Soman and CTO Girish Chowdhary, EarthSense develops autonomous robots and artificial intelligence technology for agriculture. The company’s flagship products use machine vision and machine learning to collect crop health data and convert it into actionable insights for farmers, agronomists and crop breeders. Soman represented EarthSense at the competition after guiding the company through the Agriculture and Food Regional round held at the 10th Annual AgTech Summit earlier this year. Competing startups pitched their companies to a panel of investors for the chance to win the competition’s $1 million grand prize. The Startup World Cup is a global series of startup competitions and conferences organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures. The competition spans more than 100 regional events across 60-plus countries, with the field ultimately narrowing to a Grand Finale held in San Francisco on Oct. 22, 2025.

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    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    New Podcast Episode: David Ruzic

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2025) – In the latest Innovations @ Research Park episode, host Tanmay Shah interviews Dr. David Ruzic on his path from professor to founder and how Research Park helped turn his academic research into a company. Dr. Ruzic is professor emeritus in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois, founder of Research Park company Starfire Industries, and Director of the Illinois Plasma Institute.  “If you think science can’t be exciting, you haven’t met David Ruzic,” the podcast notes. His reputation for lighting up classrooms with his engaging teaching style and ability pushes the boundaries of plasma physics to make science accessible and engaging. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights Champaign’s thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture. It is hosted by Tanmay Shah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus. Subscribe to The Innovations @ Research Park to catch up on the latest innovations and news on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast network. 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? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

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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.  

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