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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Research Park

    Community Features News Research Park

    Campus Conversation with Susan Martinis, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research

    Susan Martinis, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign‘s Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, spoke with Julie Wurth from The News Gazette on September 18, 2019, about efforts on campus to reduce campus sexual harassment, her experience as a woman in STEM, and the impact of ownership within the Research Park. In regards to the latter, Martinis noted that, “I think that it’s given us a few more players to think about. And I think with a few more players and getting to know our partners, it’s also given us some more opportunities…. They are interested in growing the Research Park, which again is my mission, to double the Research Park in whatever capacity that means.” Martinis provides leadership for campus-wide interdisciplinary research institutes while promoting research initiatives and overseeing appropriate research conduct at the University of Illinois. Her research focuses on leucyl-tRNA synthetase, and she currently leads a W.M. Keck Foundation-supported team to characterize mammalian variants of the synthetase. To hear the full episode, click here for the article.

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    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Motorola Solutions Opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    CHICAGO – Sept. 13, 2019 – Motorola Solutions announced the opening of its first college campus innovation center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park. The innovation center will employ undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of backgrounds and talents to focus on developing products, applications and services in key growth areas, including command center software and video. Students will focus on projects for the company’s Chief Technology Office, Advanced Technology and Products organizations. “Partnering with the University of Illinois provides access to a depth of talent across a number of disciplines, encouraging research in areas that are critical to Motorola Solutions’ future,” said Kelly Mark, executive vice president, Services & Software, Motorola Solutions and University of Illinois alumnus. “The new innovation center will provide an opportunity for the next generation of students and employees to make valuable contributions to the company and broader tech community.” The new Motorola Solutions innovation and design center, located in the University’s Research Park, will open in the Fall 2019 semester and has capacity for up to 40 interns with an option for full-time employees in the future. Interns and employees will work directly with Motorola Solutions staff to help move ideas to test mode more quickly. “We are excited to expand Motorola Solutions’ footprint to the University of Illinois, a top-tier engineering university and my alma mater,” said John Kedzierski, senior vice president, Video Security Solutions, Motorola Solutions. “The university’s Research Park is an incubator for new ideas and technologies, and we look forward to contributing to that culture of innovation and creativity.” “We are excited to welcome Motorola Solutions to the Research Park. Their presence offers new opportunities for collaborations around some of the most critical elements of our public safety infrastructure,” said University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign chancellor Robert J. Jones. “The Motorola Solutions design center is an example of our university strategic goal of establishing ourselves as a testbed for the technologies and services that will enable the safe, healthy, and sustainable communities of the future.” The team will be managed by site director Craig Ibbotson, distinguished member of the technical staff, Motorola Solutions and computer science alumnus of the University of Illinois. About Motorola SolutionsMotorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical communications. Our technology platforms in communications, command center software, video security solutions and managed and support services make cities safer and help communities and businesses thrive. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Learn more at http://www.motorolasolutions.com. 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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    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Purchase of 2001 S. First St. by Arvum Partners LLC

    Research Park’s “State Farm Building” at 2001 S. First St., has found new a new owner under Arvum Partners LLC. The company is now under contract to buy the building next month. One of the entities involved with Arvum Partners LLC is commercial real-estate firm Oxford Partners. The company is Texas based but have offices located in the Midwest. For the many tenants there, not much should change with the new owners. As the new owners of 2001 S. First St., Arvum Partners LLC does not plan on changing much, allowing for a smooth transition. “The new owners, if they’re able to close on this, have made it clear that their intent is to keep the tenants happy, and that tenant-servicing is a priority for them, and that they want to see a well-maintained facility,”  UI Research Park Director Laura Frerichs said. “And that’s important to us as well.” Learn more here.

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    Community News Research Park

    Cargill Innovation Lab Opens at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Research Park

    HOPKINS, Minn. (August 21, 2019) – University of Illinois students focused on solving some of the world’s greatest challenges across the global food and agriculture systems will soon have a new space to test their work thanks to a partnership with Cargill. The Research Park at the Urbana-Champaign campus will be the home of the newest Cargill Innovation Lab, the company announced today. Led by Cargill’s digital labs team of data scientists, Innovation Lab students and staff will work directly with Cargill business leaders, operations teams and customers to help move digital ideas – in weeks, not months – to test mode. “Cargill’s commitment to engaging our students in its innovation process will add a new dimension to their educational experiences at Illinois,” said Robert J. Jones, chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “I had the good fortune to visit Cargill’s headquarters and engage with their leadership in this process. I am excited that Cargill has decided to join the dynamic environment in our Research Park.” In turn, the Innovation Lab provides Cargill with a pipeline of talented software engineering and data science students and graduates ready to modernize agricultural supply chains and food systems across the globe. “We are on a constant search for new innovations and new talent, whose fresh thinking can help us bring new technologies to life,” said Keith Narr, vice president, Cargill’s digital labs team. “With an impressive engineering and computer science program, the University of Illinois is an ideal partner to spur the growth and innovation in our digital business.” The Cargill Innovation Lab formally opens its doors this fall, following a successful first phase of the partnership, including a 12-week internship program. “We know our students are motivated by making an impact in their communities,” said Jones. “There are few greater ways to do so than by helping Cargill fulfill its purpose of feeding the world.” This article was featured in Food Business News.

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    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    AGCO Acceleration Center Reflects on Its Two Years Within Research Park

    AGCO Acceleration Center (AAC) is celebrating its second year within the University of Illinois Research Park. In their August 12, 2019, article, they note they came to the Park for three reasons: Help recruit students that will be our next generation of AGCO leaders Utilize the expertise of the University of Illinois faculty in agricultural and computer science engineering design Share an ecosystem with entrepreneurs who are developing the new technologies to stay on the cutting edge of the ever-changing agriculture industry The company reflects on how successful they have been at achieving these goals and what they have taken away so far from their time in the Research Park and at the University of Illinois. “Since we first opened our doors, we have been able to build and expand the scope of the AAC in ways we never could have imagined,” they said. As the AAC moves forward, they plan to move from startup phase to growth phase in order to better impact the bottom line. They also intend to expand their reach in the agtech ecosystem to continue sharing innovation with the Research Park and beyond.

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    Media Mentions News Research Park

    Interview with Troy Kollman, Brunswick’s i-Jet Lab Director

    Troy Kollman, the site director for Brunswick Corporation’s i-Jet Lab within Research Park, spoke with The News-Gazette about the key contributions of interns and the current direction of the company on July 14, 2019. “The Research Park at the UI is fairly unique among large universities. It offers corporations a collaborative environment to exchange operational ideas with other companies that operate in an innovation space,” he explained. The i-Jet Lab has worked with over 50 University of Illinois students from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, design, and mechanical engineering. They play a large role in supporting Brunswick as they seek to focus resources on the recreational boating industry. Kollmann and his colleagues act as mentors for interns as they all work cohesively as a team, overcoming roadblocks and redefining the marine industry. To learn more about the i-Jet Lab and the future direction of Brunswick, click HERE.

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    EnterpriseWorks News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Reconstruct Named One of Crunchbase’s 50 Hot Tech Companies in 2019

    Crunchbase published a list of the 50 Hot Tech Companies Globally in 2019, featuring Reconstruct, a Research Park startup. The companies were filtered based on Crunchbase data. Each of the companies listed has raised between $10 and $30 million in the last six months and has not exited via IPO or acquisition. Reconstruct has raised $10.1 million in total funding from investors, including Cultivation Capital, Serra Ventures, and Harbor Street Ventures. Reconstruct’s AI and digital twin capabilities help project stakeholders by providing indoor/outdoor views, enabling them to track and resolve issues in a virtual environment before actual impact on cost and schedule, revolutionizing construction management.

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    EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    Board of Trustees Votes to Transfer Research Park Oversight

    CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees today transferred oversight of the University of Illinois Research Park from the U. of I. System to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Trustees approved the Research Park in 1999 and authorized the University of Illinois Research Park LLC in 2000 as the formal entity to develop and operate research parks in support of the university’s economic development mission. On the endorsement of President Tim Killeen and Urbana campus Chancellor Robert Jones, the limited liability company’s Board of Managers voted in October to recommend that the Board of Trustees change the legal entity’s scope to focus solely on the Research Park in Urbana-Champaign. With its vote today at its bimonthly meeting on the Springfield campus, the board of trustees completed the transfer. “This will make our campus an even stronger contributor to the economic well-being of our community, and help to fulfill the missions of the Illinois Innovation Network and the Discovery Partners Institute,” Jones said. “We look forward to more deeply integrating activities of the campus faculty members, students and staff with those of the Research Park and EnterpriseWorks.” Susan Martinis, the interim vice chancellor for research at the Urbana-Champaign campus, said the total workforce at the Research Park represents the third-largest employer in the community. “Aligning the Research Park more closely with our campus strongly supports our research, teaching, public engagement and economic development missions,” Martinis said. “It’s a powerful pipeline for students to connect with companies for experiential learning, and for companies to connect with students to harness cutting-edge skills.” The Board of Trustees also approved four new members of the UIRP LLC Board of Managers, Wilbur Milhouse and Scott Rose from the private sector and Gies College of Business Dean Jeff Brown and College of ACES Dean Kim Kidwell to fill two faculty board positions. Read the entire news release HERE. News coverage:The News-Gazette

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    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Reconstruct Receives $7.7 Million Series A Investment Led By Cultivation Capital

    Reconstruct, a Research Park startup, has closed a $7.7 million series A round led by Cultivation Capital. Investors also include Serra Ventures and Seyen Capital. According to BusinessWire, Reconstruct provides a ‘visual command center’ for projects, enabling project executives to proactively and precisely manage construction progress including detecting current, past, and future performance issues. Cultivation Capital Partner and Board Member, Barry Sandweiss sees incredible potential in the company. “Reconstruct has the opportunity to transform the management, financing, and insuring of projects in construction and beyond.” Reconstruct’s AI and digital twin capabilities help project stakeholders by providing indoor/outdoor views enabling them to track and resolve issues in a virtual environment before actual impact on cost and schedule. University of Illinois Research Park Director, Laura Frerichs said, “We have been honored to be a part of the Reconstruct journey and getting to see their growth from early stage technology to commercial success. They have created a tremendous team and technology with market value, customers, and impact”. Read the full article here.

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    Events News Research Park

    2019 AgTech Summit a Success

    The 2019 Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit was a success yet again, bringing together the biggest agriculture companies and brightest minds in agtech to discuss new ideas that will revolutionize the farming industry. The AgTech Summit is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Research Park, the University of Illinois, College of ACES, and the Office of Corporate Relations. This year’s panels included those such as “Investment Landscape”, “Animal Health and Nutrition”, and “Digital Agriculture.” They were mediated by Champaign’s agtech experts, including Mark Moran, Director of the John Deere Innovation Center. In his keynote speech, Moran said that there “has been more change to ag in the last 100 years than the 10,000 years before that. Those of us that do it every day maybe don’t realize how different it is from just a century ago” (Brownfield Ag News). It’s true–the talks throughout the day explored brand new technologies such as robots and artificial intelligence and explored how they are rapidly changing farmers’ approaches to production and sustainability issues on their farms. Another talk included University of Illinois professor Angela Green-Miller. The idea for her pig production company TellTail “originated from the idea of taking university research and translating that into tools that are immediately accessible and easily used by producers,” similar to other EnterpriseWorks startups (Brownfield Ag News). Startup TellTail was the winner of the Moore Innovation Prize this year. Thank you to all those from the local agriculture community as well as others from all over the Midwest that attended the event. Another thank you to the moderators and panelists for sharing your time and talents. Last but not least, thanks to the AgTech 2019 sponsors–Bayer/The Climate Corporation, John Deere, ADM, and COUNTRY Financial–for your generous support of AgTech Summit 2019. For this year’s agenda, look below. And don’t forget to save the date for next year’s Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit on March 4, 2020. Tuesday March 5, 2019 EnterpriseWorks Atrium, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign 8:00am-12pm | USDA SBIR Workshop 5:30-7:00pm | Opening Reception Wednesday March 6, 2019 I-Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 South First Street, Champaign 7:45am | Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:10am | Welcome & Opening Remarks Laura Frerichs, University of Illinois Research Park Adam Davis, University of Illinois ACES Frank Dohleman, The Climate Corporation 8:30am | Morning Keynote Address Mark Moran, John Deere Technology Innovation Center 9:15am | Collaborations Between Startups & Corporations Learn more about the important symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurs and established companies in order to implement new products. Roger Vanhoy, University of Illinois Corporate Relations Mark Fincham, John Deere Tim Kuehlorn, Nutrien Ag Solutions Kirsten Skogerson, Bayer Crop Science Scott Wilkin, University of Illinois National Center for Supercomputing Applications 10:15am | Break 10:30am | Investment Landscape AgTech investments are growing rapidly. Key elements include biotech, software & IoT, robotics and automation and commodity platforms. This panel will cover how this is impacting the agricultural industry. Nancy Sullivan, Illinois Ventures Connie Bowen, The Yield Lab Tim Foote, Flyover Capital Kevin McCurren, Michigan State University Corbett Kull, Tillable David Pierson, Syngenta Ventures 11:30am | Animal Health & Nutrition Industry leaders will highlight the teamwork between academia, startups and businesses to advance new ways to ensure a safe food supply and enhance the well-being of animals. Rod Johnson, University of Illinois College of ACES Angela Green-Miller, TellTail Lena Head, AGCO/GSI Ryan Lane, ADM Bruce Taillon, Elanco 12:30pm | Lunch Buffet 12:50pm | Afternoon Kickoff Sponsor remarks, Ryan Lane, ADM Moore Innovation Prize Presentation 1:05pm | Lunchtime Fireside Chat Laura Frerichs, University of Illinois Research Park Dennis Beard, Serra Ventures Dave Stanko, Nutrien/Agrible 1:45pm | Digital Agriculture Now is the time to discuss the technologies that provide the agricultural industry with the tools, data and knowledge to make better on-farm decisions and improve productivity and sustainability. Robert Brunner, University of Illinois Lance Brown, AGCO Grain & Protein Eric Barnard, Granular Kelly Gillespie, Bayer Crop Science Chris Dempsey, Case IH Robert Lubben, Rabo AgriFinance Chinmay Soman, EarthSense Rebeccah Stay, Cargill, INC. 2:45pm | Break 3:00pm | Growers Talk Back Leading farmers and key customers for new technology developments will discuss the challenges they face, the technologies helpful to their businesses and what types of products they’re looking for as they continue to advance. Chris Harbourt, Research Park Entrepreneur In Residence Jason Little, Nutrien Ag Solutions Matt Barnard, Barnard Farms Heath Huisinga, Huisinga Farms Ken Dalenberg, Scattered Acres Farm Josh Plunk, Plunk Brothers, Inc.

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