Registration is opening soon for the 10th Annual AgTech Innovation Summit on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Illinois Conference Center.
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.
This interactive conference offers participants the opportunity to learn and share knowledge about the current state of agtech while looking to the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. This event is free thanks to our generous sponsors.
For sponsorship information, speaking opportunities and more, please contact Laura Bleill at [email protected].
AgTech Hackathon
This hackathon is a team competition open to all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students interested in Agriculture or AgTech. It is an exciting and fast-paced event where teams can create together. New and experienced students are invited to participate in this free event. Learn more about the AgTech Hackathon.
Research Park Tours
During AgTech Week, guests are invited to join us on tours of the Research Park, including visits with startup companies in the EnterpriseWorks incubator and corporations throughout the Research Park.
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.
Learn more about AgTech Week on the Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week website.
AgTech Student Career Panel
AgTech week engages participants of all ages, including many students from the University of Illinois. At this event, a panel of student interns from the Research Park share their experiences working in the AgTech industry with fellow students.
AgTech Awards
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.
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.
Nominations for the 2025 Brandt Prize will be opening soon.
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 BRANDT Foundation seeks to honor the legacy of founder Glen “GB” Brandt by recognizing an Illinois farmer for their role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the ag sector. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to the nominee who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices. The recipient may use this prize on their farm how they wish. The winner will be announced at the AgTech Summit.
AgTech Summit History
Check out these highlights from our AgTech Innovation Summits of past years.