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.”
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week – Schedule of (Virtual) Events: March 8-12, 2021
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week is presented by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, and You’re Welcome CU.
Monday, March 8, 2021
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Amy Wu: Women in AgTech
Monday, March 8, 2021
12 PM – 1 PM
Amy Wu is an award-winning writer for the women’s ag and agtech movement. She is the Creator & Chief Content Director of From Farms to Incubators, a multimedia platform that uses documentary, video, photography and the written word to tell the stories of women leaders and innovators in agtech. It has a mission of highlighting the stories of women in food, farming, and farmtech, especially women of color.
Learn more + RSVP: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5115?eventId=33403312
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit – Networking Night
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
5 PM
Join University of Illinois Research Park on Tuesday, March 9 at 5 PM for their free, virtual AgTech Summit Networking Night. Connect with other conference-goers, hear pitches from agtech startups, and engage in meaningful discussion. When you register for the AgTech Summit, you’ll receive a link to join them for networking Tuesday evening.
Learn more + RSVP: https://researchpark.illinois.edu/events/agtechsummit/
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
8 AM – 4:30 PM
The 2021 AgTech Summit will pivot to a virtual platform and environment, but promises to be no less dynamic. 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. The Summit is a FREE virtual event with scheduled sessions on leadership in agtech; supply chain; impacts of the pandemic and its silver linings; and insights from growers and producers.
Learn more + RSVP: https://researchpark.illinois.edu/events/agtechsummit/
AgTech Student Mixer
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
4:30 PM – 6 PM
Are you interested in the finding a career at the intersection of technology and Agriculture? Curious which companies are using technology to transform the Agricultural industry? Join UI Research Park at their AgTech Student Career Mixer to connect with companies hiring for talent in this area. To join this virtual event as either a student or an employer, please register HERE. This event is part of Research Park’s Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit.
Learn more + RSVP: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5115?eventId=33400785
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) – One-on-One Meetings
Thursday, March 11, 2021
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory was designed to help industry move technologies from the bench scale through pilot scale. With over $15 million worth of equipment, IBRL’s capabilities are broad in the bioprocessing and biomanufacturing space. Over the last two years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 100 projects with several dozen different companies. If you would like to learn more about IBRL’s pilot-scale capabilities, Assistant Director of Business Development, Dr. Beth Conerty will be happy to discuss the facility one-on-one with company representatives. Email Dr. Conerty (bconerty@illinois.edu) to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Illinois AgTech Accelerator’s gBETA AgTech Virtual Pitch Night
Thursday, March 11, 2021
4 PM – 5:30 PM
Pitch Night is a celebration of Illinois Agtech Accelerator’s gBETA AgTech latest cohort through the gBETA program. You’ll be inspired by the five-minute pitches from the Spring 2021 cohort companies! The Illinois Agtech Accelerator gBETA companies will each do a five-minute pitch followed by Q&A. Come prepared to learn all about these companies’ innovative ideas making a difference in our world.
Learn more + RSVP: https://live.remo.co/e/illinois-agtech-accelerator-pitc/register
Friday, March 12, 2021
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) – One-on-One Meetings
Friday, March 12, 2021
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory was designed to help industry move technologies from the bench scale through pilot scale. With over $15 million worth of equipment, IBRL’s capabilities are broad in the bioprocessing and biomanufacturing space. Over the last two years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 100 projects with several dozen different companies. If you would like to learn more about IBRL’s pilot-scale capabilities, Assistant Director of Business Development, Dr. Beth Conerty will be happy to discuss the facility one-on-one with company representatives. Email Dr. Conerty (bconerty@illinois.edu) to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
AgTech Community Highlights (March 2020 – March 2021)
- The launch of Illinois AgTech Accelerator’s gBeta cohort of 5 companies, chosen from 150+ applications around the world, each receiving a $25,000 investment.
- The establishment of the Serra Capital Ag Tech Fund.
- The completion of the new RIPE greenhouse and Plant Transformation Facility, an international research project that is engineering crops to be more productive by improving photosynthesis.
- The completion of the new $20-million state-of-the-art Feed Technology Center, an epicenter for innovation in animal management, nutrition, and production.
- The award of a new NSF-funded Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability Institute on campus, serving as a nexus for multidisciplinary research teams that advance foundational AI and use these advances to address important challenges facing world agriculture.
- By May 2021, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory will have produced 20,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and disinfectant to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic that has been distributed to all three University of Illinois campuses, state of Illinois agencies, hospitals, schools, senior care facilities, and group housing.
- Parkland College was awarded their fourth National Science Foundation grant for their innovative programming in precision ag and unmanned aerial systems.
- AgTech was identified as one of three strong business clusters for growth and development for regional economic development efforts as part of a recent Champaign-Urbana Cluster analysis.
- The community sees continued job growth of ag positions, including new full-time roles at corporate innovation centers in University of Illinois Research Park.
- The Atkins Group announced a new vision for Clearview Farm.
You’re welcome for…super sweet corn.
It’s hard to believe, but 50+ years ago, sweet corn was rarely found in grocery stores. That’s because sweet corn had a short shelf life and tended to shrink and shrivel before it could find its way to the dinner table.
Enter University of Illinois professor John Laughnan. He discovered that a hybrid of sweet corn could be developed that retained the great taste and was significantly more stable. Thanks to his work, super sweet corn is found in stores throughout the world.
Learn more about this sweet Champaign-Urbana invention and celebrate with your very own “Super Sweet” tee, design by Scobar, a local artist.
Learn more about AgTech in Champaign-Urbana at https://www.yourewelcomecu.com/agtech/.