The next AgTech Innovation Summit will take place on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Join us to explore how technology solutions are addressing some of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today – and learn about what is on the horizon. 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.
March 7, 2023
Illinois Conference Center
1402 S. 1st St. Champaign, IL
This interactive conference offers participants the opportunity to learn and share knowledge about the current state of agtech and looking into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Bleill at lwbleill@illinois.edu.
AgTech Summit 2022 in the Media
March 9, WCIA: AgTech Innovation Summit
March 9, Brownfield: Vertical Integration has farmer/brewer less concerned about inflation
February 23, Speaker RFD Profit Watch
Videos
Sponsors
2022 Agenda
Wednesday March 9, 2022
7:30 am Registration Opens
8:00 am WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
- Laura Appenzeller | Executive Director, University of Illinois Research Park
OPENING REMARKS
- Chancellor Robert Jones | Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
OPENING REMARKS
- Juliana Stratton | Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois
8:15 am OPENING REMARKS from ACES
- Germán Bollero | Interim Dean, University of Illinois College of ACES
8:30 am The Ag Sector’s Role in Carbon Markets
- Chris Harbourt | Chief Strategy Officer, Indigo Ag
- Moderator: Jed Taylor | Executive Director, Technology Entrepreneur Center
9:00 am Morning Fireside Chat
- Tami Craig Schilling | North America Knowledge Transfer Lead, Bayer
- Moderator: Laura Appenzeller | Executive Director, University of Illinois Research Park
9:30 am Carbon Neutral Flour Business
- James Scher | Director of Sales, Specialty Solutions, ADM
- Maneephan Keeratiurai | Director, Food Science and Wholesome Nutrition. ADM
- Moderator: Katheryne Rehberg | Director Of Business Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
10:00 am Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Update
- Stephen Long | Director, Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE)
10:15 am break
10:30 Fireside Chat
- Tim Hassinger | CEO & President, IntelinAir
- Moderator: Kim Kidwell | Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, University of Illinois
11:00 am Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism
11:15 am Navigating the Agriculture Supply Chain
- Martha Montoya | CEO, AgTools
- Moderator: Jack Marck | Managing Director, Illinois AgTech Accelerator
11:45 am Navigating the Agriculture Supply Chain
- Patrick McEniry | Vice President-Crops, Commodities & Ingredients, Treehouse Foods
- Moderator: Germán Bollero | Interim Dean, University of Illinois College of ACES
12:15 pm Lunch
12:45 pm Tech Strategy to Drive Customer Experience
- Mark Theuerkauf | Director, Strategy and Transformation, AGCO
- Moderator: Susan Martinis | Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, University of Illinois
1:15 pm Afternoon Fireside Chat
- Bill Hamer | Carbon Strategy and Operations Manager, Corteva
- Moderator: Gene Robinson | Director, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology , University of Illinois
1:45 PM Moore Innovation Prize and Startup Presentation
2:00 pm break
2:15 pm Lightning Chat
- Girish Chowdhary | Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EarthSense
2:30 pm Afternoon Fireside Chat
- Matt Hancher | Engineering Lead, Google Earth and Earth Engine, Google
- Moderator: Brendan McGinty | Executive Director, Center for Digital Agriculture
3:00 pm Investment in AgTech
- Dennis Beard | Partner, Serra Ventures
- Moderator: Carly McCrory-McKay | Executive Director, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
3:30 pm Investment in AgTech
- Aaron Rudberg | Managing Director and COO, S2G Ventures
- Moderator: Tom Parkinson | Senior Director, Illinois Ventures
4:00 – 5:30 pm AgTech SHowcase & Networking Reception
- 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.
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week
Champaign-Urbana has long been a hub for technology as well as agriculture. In the past decade, those two paths have converged, paving the way for the community to become an “epicenter for AgTech.” In addition to the AgTech Summit, there are several events during AgTech Week from March 7-11.
AgTech Award
Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Award
The Edwin Moore Family Agriculture award was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks. The goal of this award is to help 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.
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 also 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.
The previous winners include:
Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Award
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.
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.
The previous winners include:
AgTech Summit History
Check out these highlights from our AgTech Innovation Summits of past years.
2022
2022 AgTech Innovation Summit Photo Gallery
February 23, Speaker RFD Profit Watch
2021
2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Recap Video
2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Photos
AgTech Summit 2021 in the Media
March 20, The News-Gazette: Rural Paxton farmer’s spirit recognized
March 12, AgDaily: Illinois Farmer Receives Ag Entrepreneurial Award
March 4, WCIA: We’re thinking spring in Champaign County
February 10, Smile Politely: The 2021 AgTech Innovation Summit is Happening on March 10th