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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Research Park

    News Research Park

    Illinois Ignite to feature faculty startups

    At Research Park, we are proudest of researchers who meaningfully connect their work to the world’s felt needs. The inaugural Illinois Ignite tech showcase in Rosemont, IL will demonstrate how Illinois’ prominent research universities do precisely that. Start-ups and technology growing out of these research institutions are significantly affecting the fields of oncology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, security, robotics, and advanced materials. Of the more than 35 tech-based entrepreneurial faculty presenters, six University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty co-founders who graduated or are currently incubating start-ups in the Research Park will present. Brighten Godfrey Associate Professor of Computer Science Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks graduate: Veriflow Speaking on “Continuous Network Verification and Congestion Control” Mani Golparvar Fard Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering and affiliate in Computer Science Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks tenant: Reconstruct Speaking on “Geometry- and Appearance-Based Reasoning of Construction Progress Monitoring” Stephen Boppart Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks tenant: PhotoniCare Speaking on “Stain-Free Slide-Free Histopathology Platform with Biomarkers of Cancer” Wen-Mei Hwe Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks graduate: MulticoreWare Speaking on “Game Changing AI and Block Chain Systems at the IBM-Illinois Center for Cognitive Computing Systems Research (C3SR)” Rashid Bashir Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks tenant: Prenosis Speaking on “Analysis of Blood and Tissue Using Chip Scale Sensors” Paul Braun Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Faculty co-founder of EnterpriseWorks graduate: Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. Speaking on “Paradigm Changing Materials for Energy Storage” Topics you don’t want to miss: Social Good & Sustainability Data Analytics & Robotics Materials by Design What’s Next in Blockchain, Security & Artificial Intelligence Frontiers in Neuroscience Breakthroughs in Oncology

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    Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    UI Chancellor Jones praises the Research Park as “wildly successful”

    In an event Tuesday, May 22 at the I Hotel and Conference Center, UI Chancellor Robert Jones presented and answered questions on the university’s plans to expand private-public investment in research and entrpreneurial programs. He assured the approximately 100 community leaders present that the UI Research Park will continue to have a major role in future public-private research partnerships. Promising to expand the UI Research Park, he called the park already “wildly successful.” Director of the Research Park, Laura Frerichs, attended the event and live-tweeted the Chancellor’s speech: “Our Research Park is the most important and visible innovation hub in IL, it’s the most transformative university research park model in the US.” The talent pool from Chicago is not the only ingredient the Champaign-Urbana innovation community can look forward to. Chancellor Jones highlighted that the UI incoming freshman class may break the record number of 7,592 enrolled in 2016. Additionally, 32 students have been enrolled in the soon-to-be-opened Carle Illinois College of Medicine which he expects will “revolutionize health care, how medicine is taught and how medicine is practiced.” When discussing the impending implementation of a future business and community advisory council to the UI, the chancellor stated that “A great university must start on the shoulders of a great community.” He confirmed the motivation behind the council by acknowledging “We’re investing in the community, but we need to do more.” “We must work together. The university must make a difference in the world, and that difference has to start here in Urbana-Champaign.” Read more about the meeting in the News-Gazette.

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    Graduates Media Mentions News Research Park

    Three Research Park Alums make the Crain’s 20 In Their 20’s List

    Research Park alums took over the Crain’s 20 In Their 20’s List. Three companies that spent time in the Research Park were  Dan Klein with Tiesta Tea, Ashley Moy with Cast21, and Lucas Frye with Amber Agriculture all made the list for their outstanding development in innovation and technology. Klein and Moy were both graduates from the EnterpriseWorks incubator here at the University of Illinois Research Park and Frye spent a year in the Research Park Developing his company. Tiesta Tea started its journey in the EnterpriseWorks incubator at the University of Illinois Research Park. Klein shared with Crain’s that the idea for his company came when he was in a teahouse in Prague and “couldn’t understand why the fruity, flavor-packed loose-leaf varietal he was sipping wasn’t widely available in the U.S.” From there his company hasn’t stopped growing and is expecting a revenue of around $8 million this year. Cast21 was another company that began its journey in the EnterpriseWorks incubator. Moy’s company started as a senior design project. The idea for Cast21 was based off of the experiences of Moy’s cofounder, Jason Troutner. Troutner had spent a lot of time in uncomfortable and impractical casts due to injuries and he and Moy wanted to change that experience for those in the future. The team created a cast that was breathable, waterproof, and more accessible. The cast has a web-like design that can be moulded to the wearer’s hand and allows them to do more with the cast on, like take a shower easily. Moy plans on putting the cast through medical testing and hopes the cast will make it to market later this year. Although Lucas Frye and Amber Agriculture only spent a year at the Research Park, they left their mark on Champaign-Urbana and took home the 2016 Cozad New Venture competition prize. Frye grew up in a very small farming town and used that to his advantage to create a device that measures moisture for grain, one of the most important elements in successfully achieving a good crop. Read more about the companies in Crain’s article here.  

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    News Research Park

    AXIS Capital and Gies College of Business Establishes the AXIS Risk Management Academy

    AXIS Capital, a global specialty insurer and reinsurer located in Research Park, has partnered with the University of Illinois Gies College of Business to establish the AXIS Risk Management Academy, which will “provide Illinois students who are interested in pursuing a career in risk management with research and professional development resources and experiences to suprport their undergraduate work.” AXIS Capital opened at their research center at Research Park in 2013, and plans on contributing $1.5 million towards the new academy.  Albert Benchimol, President and CEO of AXIS Capital, told Yahoo News that, “We wish to help develop a new generation of professionals within the field in order to bring emerging ideas forward that will ensure the continual and effective management of risk in society…we are very pleased to grow our relationship with the University of Illinois, one of the top finance and actuarial schools and a leader in (re)insurance research and education.” Read the full story on Yahoo Finance.

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    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Research Park

    Synchrony Opens Emerging Technology Center at Research Park

    SYNCHRONY OPENS EMERGING TECH CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TO DEVELOP ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS Champaign, Illinois (April 12, 2018) – The University of Illinois today announced that Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, has opened the Synchrony Emerging Technology Center at the University of Illinois Research Park. The Emerging Technology Center will focus on advancing Synchrony’s finance and technology capabilities as well as providing real-world skills for students in artificial intelligence, data science, human-centered design and other emerging technologies. Current projects include ‘Ensemble Methods,’ exploring the potential applications of machine learning to credit risk modeling, and the ‘Machine Vision’ project, aimed at transforming the in-store shopping experience by removing the need for the traditional checkout process. “Developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to reshape entire industries. The key for the financial services and retail sectors now lies in understanding how to best harness these technologies to solve real-world problems and deliver better hyper personalized customer experiences,” said Greg Simpson, Chief Technology Officer and Artificial Intelligence leader at Synchrony. “By bringing together the sharpest minds from Synchrony and the University of Illinois, we now have the ability to accelerate the development of these artificial intelligence solutions while building our pipeline of technology talent.” The students in the program will work closely with Synchrony technology experts to commercialize solutions for the company’s partners. Projects can range across multiple disciplines, such as basic market and technology research, big data analytics, proof-of-concept creation, data visualization, and software development. Synchrony VP of Technology Ujjval Patel will recruit and train student talent for the Emerging Technology Center. The new partnership builds upon Synchrony’s existing relationships with other educational institutions and complements the company’s four global Innovation Stations. “Synchrony is developing the future of finance, and what better place than the University of Illinois where it can leverage our expertise in data sciences and computing,” said University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign chancellor Robert J. Jones. “Synchrony’s brand of financial firepower presents interesting opportunities that will engage University of Illinois faculty and students alike.” Press: Business Wire About synchrony Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a premier consumer financial services company delivering customized financing programs across key industries including retail, health, auto, travel and home, along with award-winning consumer banking products. With more than $130 billion in sales financed and 74.5 million active accounts, Synchrony brings deep industry expertise, actionable data insights, innovative solutions and differentiated digital experiences to improve the success of every business we serve and the quality of each life we touch. More information can be found at www.synchronyfinancial.com and through Twitter: @Synchrony.

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    News Research Park

    Research Park Resources Benefit Increased Startup Activity in Illinois

    The Illinois Innovation Index, published by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, has been researching innovation activity since 2013 in order to determine the standing of technology startup entrepreneurship in Illinois. Among their overall findings of increased active startups, capital raised, and NSF I-Corps participation, the University of Illinois Research Park is mentioned throughout the Index in a diverse variety of areas. The EnterpriseWorks Incubator, our established entrepreneurial hub, as well as the new Illinois University Incubator, which is the product of a new Illinois grant, work to support startup activity in both Champaign-Urbana and across the state. Research Park is also a member of the I-Corps Midwest Node, a collaboration among Midwest universities that aims to provide additional resources to new entrepreneurs. Keeping with this theme of partnerships, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago are also collaborating on a new Hyde Park innovation facility, which would, “develop and commercialize groundbreaking technology.” Two Research Park EnterpriseWorks startups, Amber Agriculture and OceanComm, are spotlighted in the Index for their successful use of entrepreneurial resources. Both startups won prizes at the Cozad New Venture Competition, as well as participated in the NSF I-Corps program. Amber Agriculture received funding from IllinoisVENTURES, a venture capitalist firm that, “provides proof-of-concept funding as well as seed and venture capital for University of Illinois companies.” OceanComm has gained funding support from SBIR grants. The Research Park AWARE program is praised for taking on issues of underrepresentation of women and minorities in entrepreneurship. AWARE works directly with these underrepresented entrepreneurs to provide mentorship, entrepreneurs-in-residence, proof-of-concept grants, and events. To access the full Illinois Innovation Index, click here.

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    News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    2018 Innovation Celebration Winners Announced

    CHAMPAIGN, IL, March 30, 2018 – Over 300 people gathered at Parkland College for the 13th Annual Innovation Celebration on the evening of Thursday, March 29th to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in our community. Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Innovation Celebration is hosted by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the University of Illinois, Parkland College, and community sponsors. For more information, visit www.innovationcelebration.com. Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture AwardServe as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns. Salt & Light  Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup AwardFormed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy. Mesh++: EnterpriseWorks startup  Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture AwardFormed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy. SNOOZ: EnterpriseWorks startup  Entrepreneurial Excellence: Paul Magelli Advocacy AwardActively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success. Stephanie LarsonCarly McCrory  Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management AwardDemonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans. Cindy Somers – Spherion Staffing  Innovation: Economic Development Impact AwardHas made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County. Busey  2018 Innovation Transfer Award—University of IllinoisRecognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact. Dr. Donna Cox – Advanced Visualization Lab at National Center for Supercomputing Applications  2018 Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award—University of IllinoisRecognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life. Mark McCarthy – Access Illinois  2018 Innovation in Engagement Award—Parkland CollegeRecognizes an individual or group at Parkland College who has shown support of the college’s community engagement mission. Adam Porter – Perimeter Road Sound Recordings    Press: Businesses, individuals feted at 13th annual Innovation Celebration – The News-Gazette 13th Annual Innovation Celebration held in Champaign – FOX 55/27 Illinois Here’s who won awards at this year’s Innovation Celebration – Smile Politely

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    EnterpriseWorks Events News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    EarthSense Receives 2018 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize

    Champaign, IL — EarthSense, a company that develops ultracompact autonomous robots for crop breeders, agronomists, and growers, is the recipient of the second Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize. The award, generously funded by University of Illinois alumni and their families, rewards University of Illinois entrepreneurs focusing on agricultural innovations. Family members Penny DeYoung and Ed Moore presented the award to EarthSense during the Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit on Feb. 28 in Champaign. EarthSense provides herbicide-free superweed eradication using TerraSentia, an ultracompact autonomous robot. TerraSentia also delivers under-canopy plant health and trait information. In 2018, more than 25 TerraSentia robots are in paid trials. The team who developed the TerraSentia’s robotics and machine-vision technology includes CEO Chinmay Soman and CTO Girish Chowdhary, an assistant professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The company occupies a lab at EnterpriseWorks, the technology incubator in the Research Park. The Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks. Its goal is to encourage startup companies engaged in 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. In addition to the prize given at the AgTech Innovation Summit, a second Edwin Moore Agriculture Innovation Fund award is at stake as part of the Cozad New Venture Competition, the university’s signature competition for student startups. It will be awarded in April. 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 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.

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    News Research Park

    Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit Returns to Champaign

    Experts at the intersection of agriculture and technology will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 28 during the third annual Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park. The Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit provides attendees a look at cutting-edge trends and insights into this ever-evolving field. It features panelist from across the AgTech ecosystem, from innovators to academics, leading ag corporations to growers, investors and startups. Speakers include the founder of Amber Agriculture, named the top startup of the 2017 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) by Engadget. Panels include:– The Landscape of Investment in AgTech– Plan, Plant, Spray, Harvest, Till: Growers Talk Back– Disruptive AgTech Startups– IoT (Internet of Things) and the Future of Farming– Behind the Curtain: How Companies Evaluate Technology The complete agenda is available online HERE. Attendees also include AgTech startups from all over the Midwest, many of whom are participating in the Midwest I-Corps Node Industry Connect program. The event will take place at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign. While full-day registration is closed, walk-ins will be accepted starting with the panel at 1:30 p.m. The AgTech Innovation Summit is programmed by the University of Illinois Research Park in partnership with the Office of Corporate Relations and College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. It also has generous sponsorship from John Deere Technology Innovation Center. For more information, contact Laura Bleill, lwbleill@illinois.edu.

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