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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Hypercell Technologies Wins $1 Million Prize in Grow-NY Competition

    Hypercell Technologies, an EnterpriseWorks startup, won the grand prize of $1 million at Grow-NY on November 15, 2023, in Binghamton, New York. Hypercell Technologies provides rapid point-of-care diagnostics for the food chain, ensuring early identification and management of biological contaminants from production to transformation with increased speed and accuracy. The company has developed novel biological solutions to control infectious diseases in production animals that cause major economic losses and present potential threats to human health. Hypercell wants to stop future human pandemics by proactively controlling viruses in animal reservoirs. “We’re excited to scale our business of rapid point-of-care diagnostics to improve the food chain in the Grow-NY region,” said Hypercell’s CEO and co-founder, Bruno Jactel. Grow-NY’s competition is open to international startups that meet the Grow-NY definition of ‘Food and Agricultural Field,’ are early-stage, and have a scalable business model. Seven businesses were selected from twenty finalists, including fellow EnterpriseWorks startup Agriwater, to receive prize awards totaling $3 million in the fifth annual competition. Learn more about the competition and its 2023 winners on the Grow-NY website.

    Hypercell Technologies Wins $1 Million Prize in Grow-NY Competition Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Research Park

    EnterpriseWorks Startup Natrion Named Ultimate Winner at Urban Tech Challengers 2023

    The EnterpriseWorks startup Natrion was named the Ultimate Winner of the Urban Tech Challengers 2023 after CEO Alex Kosyakov presented at the Urban Tech Forward conference in Warsaw, Poland, on October 25 and 26. Urban Tech Forward is known as Europe’s premier event for tech innovators, featuring over 1,000 attendees from all over the world. The conference includes the Urban Tech Challengers pitch competition for entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive products and services for sustainable, resilient, and future-proof cities. Natrion is developing battery technologies that can push the capabilities of EVs by solving the biggest issues that automakers and battery manufacturers face. Their mission is to service the industry with solutions that will enhance the mainstream market viability of electric vehicles and advance the world closer to a future of clean mobility. To learn more about Urban Tech Challengers, visit their tenant page.

    EnterpriseWorks Startup Natrion Named Ultimate Winner at Urban Tech Challengers 2023 Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    New Podcast Episode: Arpit Dwivedi of Cache Energy Disrupts the Energy Storage Industry

    Cache Energy CEO and founder Aprit Dwivedi has been charged up about clean energy long before his days working toward his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. On the most recent episode of ‘The Innovations @ Research Park’ podcast, Dvivedi and podcast host Tanmay Shah discussed the major logistical challenges that the energy industry faces and the unique long-duration storage solution that Cache Energy provides. Dwivedi also shared how Research Park expanded his professional skills and how Gerald Wilson, EnterpriseWork’s Director of Entrepreneurship, aided him in developing the pitch deck for Cache. Notably, Cache Energy recently had an over-subscribed seed funding round, ultimately raising $4.5 million. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights the thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture in Champaign. It is hosted by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Tanmay Shah. 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).

    New Podcast Episode: Arpit Dwivedi of Cache Energy Disrupts the Energy Storage Industry Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    AI Nexus to Participate as Mayo Clinic Platform _Accelerate Fourth Cohort

    EnterpriseWorks tenant AI Nexus was selected to join Mayo Clinic Platform _Accelerate fourth cohort of nine groundbreaking health tech startups. “We are thrilled to welcome the new cohort of Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate… These companies are at the forefront of healthcare innovation, and we are excited to work with them to accelerate their groundbreaking solutions. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of patients around the world.” – Jamie Sundsbak, Partner Relationship Manager with Mayo Clinic Platform Over the next 20 weeks AI Nexus will redefine AI-driven solutions for improved, faster patient care. The platform boats a robust data network and provides the startup access to Mayo Clinic’s expertise and resources, offering AI Nexus the chance to accelerate its capabilities. The company’s first solution, miaVitals. combines machine learning and cognitive AI to empower individuals to take control of their health by using their smartphones. The platform is designed to detect early warning signs for a range of life-threatening conditions such as respiratory disorders, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and screen for early complications during pregnancy. About AI Nexus AI Nexus is on a mission to democratize healthcare, making it more accessible to people regardless of economic status, geographic location, gender or race. Read more about AI Nexus in their Research Park tenant directory. VIEW ALL NEWS BACK TO TOP

    AI Nexus to Participate as Mayo Clinic Platform _Accelerate Fourth Cohort Read Post »

    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.

    Illinois AgTech Accelerator Announces Sixth Cohort Read Post »

    Investments Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee

    Today,  the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced it has selected the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) as a 2023 Tech Hub Designee. The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators while also training a skilled workforce. The iFab consortium’s 30+ partners includes the University of Illinois Research Park as well as industry, higher education, workforce development agencies, agribusiness, and producers. Two of the private sector partners, ADM and Boston Bioprocess, have operations at Research Park. Another partner, gener8tor, leads the Illinois AgTech Accelerator.  The iFAB proposal, one of 400 received by EDA, was made public in August. Receiving the federal designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs and promote innovation. This is the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program, a development initiative created to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards.” – U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo The second phase will allow each designated hub to apply to receive between $40-70 million each for implementation funding, totaling $500 million. About iFAB iFAB seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. To learn more, visit the iFAB website.

    EDA Designates iFAB, Led by University of Illinois, as a Tech Hub Designee Read Post »

    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.

    AGCO Corporation Training Center Groundbreaking at Parkland College Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Graduates News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    VedaBio to Revolutionize Molecular Detection after Tenure as LabSimply at EnterpriseWorks

    VedaBio, a biotechnology company leading a paradigm-shift in molecular detection, launched on October 17, 2023, with initial funding of over $40 million. This company has roots at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and Research Park: VedaBio was formerly known as LabSimply and operated out of EnterpriseWorks from 2021 to 2022. CEO and Co-Founder Anrup Ganguli, PhD, developed multiple research platforms during his time at university in the lab of Professor Rashid Bashir, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering and current Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering. VedaBio is revolutionizing molecular biology with its breakthrough platform for near-instant molecular detection of multiplexed analytes, delivering best-in-class accuracy without the need for target amplification. Their CRISPR Cascade™ platform is poised to emerge as a new gold standard tool to empower decision-making across multiple industries. In the official press release, Ganguli explains that the CRISPR Cascade reaction provides “a platform that delivers near-instant molecular detection of highly multiplexed analytes with best-in-class accuracy, all without the need for target amplification.” He has high hopes for VedaBio, believing “it is poised to emerge as a future gold standard for molecular detection, empowering major advances across multiple applications including research and industrial tools, diagnostics and therapeutics.”  To learn more about VedaBio, read the official press release on the VedaBio website.

    VedaBio to Revolutionize Molecular Detection after Tenure as LabSimply at EnterpriseWorks Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Media Mentions News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute

    Have you ever bitten into a meat substitute product and find yourself longing for the real deal? The aroma, the flavor, the texture, and the taste of… meat? You’re not alone. EnterpriseWork’s very own Boston Bioprocess is teaming up with Nourish Ingredients to create just that– utilizing wild fungi and yeast strains to trick even the biggest meat lovers into thinking they are consuming a meat product. The secret ingredient? To effectively scale and replicate the most potent fat molecules, the ones responsible for making that irresistible, animalistic aroma that makes your mouth water. In a Food Navigator USA article, it was explained that Boston Bioprocess is not only assisting Nourish Ingredients in developing a more realistic-tasting product but ensuring that the product will meet regulatory requirements as well. The partnership between Boston Bioprocess and Nourish Ingredients is coming after a significant drop in the plant-based protein market. Nourish Ingredients CEO James Petrie hopes to change the downward market trajectory. “In one way [it’s] been healthy for [the industry] in the sense that… there’s a bit of pressure on the plant-based industry at the moment and it’s forcing us to take a collective look at the quality of products,” said Petrie. Boston Bioprocess works to provide their clients with the equipment and expertise they need to improve yield, decrease costs, and access product for commercial testing. Visit their tenant directory to learn more about the company. Read the full Food Navigator feature.

    Boston Bioprocess Helping Nourish Ingredients Make a More Realistic Meat Substitute Read Post »

    Events News Research Park

    Kohler Establishes Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to Impact the Future of Kitchen and Bath

    Kohler Co., a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of plumbing products; tile, cabinetry and lighting; and engines, generators and clean energy solutions, today celebrated the grand opening of the new Kohler Innovation Center at the University of Illinois Research Park. The new center is a reflection of the company’s objective of positively impacting current and future generations through design, craftsmanship, and innovation. The center’s portfolio focuses on areas of interest to Kohler including supply chain optimization strategies; investigating and adapting technology for the factory of the future; and developing a pipeline of engineering and data analytics talent for the company tapped from its student intern program.   “Our partnership with the University of Illinois is a win for Kohler, the university, and students. We are excited about this new facility and the future possibilities of our collaboration,” said Norb Schmidt, Senior Vice President of Kitchen & Bath Operations for Kohler.  “Our commitment here is a genuine investment in our [Kohler’s] future, added Schmidt. Specifically, Kohler’s Research Park location supports research and design efforts related to robotics, electro-mechanical systems, machining, and pneumatic and hydraulic functions. “The Kohler Innovation Center at UIRP provides our students the opportunity to work on solutions for the Midwest and beyond,” said Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Such real-world experiences are examples of the transformative educational opportunities at Illinois that grow from our leadership in engineering, data science, and industrial design.”   The center is hiring several positions and eventually plans to employ up to 25 students. A full-time site manager, Will Newton, supervises the students and serves as liaison between the Kohler Innovation Center at UIRP and the University of Illinois.  Initiatives to cultivate a culture of innovation, including the new campus innovation center at Illinois, supports why Kohler Co. recently landed as a finalist on the Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators list. Download the full press release here. About Kohler Co. For 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in design and innovation, dedicated to providing gracious living through kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; distributed energy solutions – home energy, industrial power systems, and powertrain technologies – and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Kohler’s Whistling Straits golf course hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.Learn more at kohlercompany.com.

    Kohler Establishes Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to Impact the Future of Kitchen and Bath Read Post »