Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week – Schedule of Events: March 7-11, 2022
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.” Learn more about AgTech in Champaign-Urbana at https://www.yourewelcomecu.com/agtech/.
View the 2022 Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week proclamation from Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen (City of Champaign) and Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin (City of Urbana).
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 7, 2022
Women in AgTech Panel: International Women’s Day
(Virtual Event)
Monday, March 7, 2022
12 PM – 1 PM
In honor of International Women’s Day (which is March 8) and Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, University of Illinois Research Park will present a virtual panel discussion featuring women who have played a significant role in the AgTech startup world. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in AgTech startups, with an eye toward making the ecosystem more accessible to all.
Learn more + RSVP: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5115?eventId=33427925
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) – One-on-One Tours & Meetings
(Virtual + In-Person Event)
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
All Day
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) 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 four years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 300 projects with several dozen different companies. If you would like to learn more about IBRL’s pilot-scale capabilities, Dr. Beth Conerty, Associate Director of Business Development, will be happy to discuss the facility with company representatives. Email Dr. Conerty (bconerty@illinois.edu) to schedule a one-on-one meeting and/or tour.
AgTech Student Career Mixer
(In-Person Event)
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
4 PM – 6 PM
Students are invited to EnterpriseWorks at University of Illinois Research Park for their AgTech Student Career Mixer. Join them from 4-6 PM to learn about career opportunities in AgTech and what Research Park companies are doing in the industry.
Learn more + RSVP: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/3462?eventId=33427002
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
AgTech Innovation Summit
(In-Person Event)
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
All Day
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. 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.
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.
For those who can’t make it in person, you can watch the livestream here.
Learn more + RSVP (by March 1): https://researchpark.illinois.edu/events/agtechsummit/
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Parkland College AgTech Showcase
(In-Person Event)
Thursday, March 10, 2022
9 AM – 2 PM
You are invited to the Parkland College AgTech Showcase on Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 9 AM to 2 PM! This event will provide an opportunity for ag industry professionals, community partners, K-12 educators, students, and parents to step inside Parkland’s agriculture facilities, learn about the future of the Midwest Center for Precision Agriculture, and kick off the new Early College and Career Academy (ECCA) program in Precision Agriculture.
- Learn about the new Early College and Career Academy track in Precision Agriculture, and employer-sponsored programs such as the CNH Service Technician and Advanced Applicator Technician programs
- Hear from Parkland’s newest partner, AGCO/Fendt, and the new dealer technical training offering on campus.
- Participate in hands-on activities such as drones, equipment ride-alongs, data visualization, an applicator simulator, and more.
- Discover career opportunities in the ag industry by hearing from local employers in the Ag Industry.
- Learn about opportunities that provide students with 100%-paid tuition and guaranteed job placement upon graduation.
RSVP (by March 8): https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=TxMkewFgLkOm0Z_8SOVp-3Bu0cjQGrxGrkR6lJJIj2tUOUZCMzg1N0s2OFdGVDJLVkJZWTExV1FBQS4u
Friday, March 11, 2022
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) – One-on-One Tours & Meetings
(Virtual + In-Person Event)
Friday, March 11, 2022
All Day
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) 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 four years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 300 projects with several dozen different companies. If you would like to learn more about IBRL’s pilot-scale capabilities, Dr. Beth Conerty, Associate Director of Business Development, will be happy to discuss the facility with company representatives. Email Dr. Conerty (bconerty@illinois.edu) to schedule a one-on-one meeting and/or tour.
Lunch & Learn: How to Get Involved in the Illinois AgTech Accelerator – A workshop for future mentors and advisors
(Virtual + In-Person Event)
Friday, March 11, 2022
12 PM – 1 PM
Perhaps you are a subject matter expert – it could be growing a startup, HR, payroll and benefits, marketing, legal, ag or industry background – you name it! We are looking for more individuals who can share their knowledge with early-stage founders to help guide their journey. Mentors are kind enough to lend their time to offer feedback and advice in a safe, casual setting, and play a huge role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This session will be led by Jack Marck, managing director of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator.
Learn more + RSVP: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/3462/33428699
AgTech Community Highlights, March 2021-March 2022
- Parkland College and AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced a new technical training program, leveraging AGCO technical experts to train technicians from existing dealerships to support the company’s ag equipment, such as tractors and planters. AGCO will soon celebrate its expansion in University of Illinois Research Park and further engagement with the College of ACES.
- Serra Ventures announced that its latest fund, the Serra Capital Ag Tech Fund, has closed over $45 million in funding commitments.
- The Early College and Career Academy (ECCA) announced a new Precision Agriculture Fundamentals certificate. This six-credit hour certificate will prepare graduating high school seniors for internships or entry-level employment in precision agriculture, and will allow stacking with other Parkland agriculture credentials such as the Precision Agriculture Technology certificate or the Precision Agriculture associate’s degree.
- The Illinois AgTech Accelerator’s portfolio companies are active in over 30 countries and have raised over $20M.
- FrostDefense Envirotech Inc., an AgTech startup based at the EnterpriseWorks technology incubator in Research Park, was awarded a highly competitive SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II grant by the National Science Foundation. The $1 million, two-year award will expand the company’s capacity to further develop its propriety technology to protect grapes from early spring frost damage. The two-year funding will help the company accelerate production and bring its specialty product to the market.
- A $45 million gift from the University of Illinois alumna Doris Kelley Christopher will support the creation of an engagement-rich center located in the Arboretum on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The Doris Kelley Christopher Illinois Extension Center will serve as the future home of Illinois Extension, uniting six state Extension offices currently on campus into one vibrant, welcoming space. The center will serve as a bridge between discovery research conducted at the University of Illinois and the translation of that work into communities around the state and beyond.
- The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Soybean Value Chain Research (Soybean Innovation Lab, “SIL”) at the University of Illinois was awarded $5 million by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to train and empower other Feed the Future Innovation Labs to achieve sustained impact from their innovations.
- Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), which is led by the University of Illinois and located in University of Illinois Research Park, is engineering crops to be more productive by improving photosynthesis, the natural process all plants use to convert sunlight into energy, and ultimately yield. The RIPE project is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, and U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
- After nearly two years of construction, the new Feed Technology Center at the University of Illinois is complete and open for business. Bringing this facility online cements the university’s role as a national leader in animal nutrition innovation and signals its active collaboration with the grain, livestock, companion animal, and feed industries.
2022 Photos & Videos:
2022 AgTech Innovation Summit (Video), UI Research Park
Parkland College AgTech Showcase (Photos)
2022 Press:
FrostDefense Awarded 2022 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize, UI Research Park
Matt Riggs Wins 2022 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, UI Research Park
AgTech Innovation Summit, WCIA 3 News
From the Farm: Parkland Ag Tech Showcase, WCIA 3 News
AgTech Innovation Summit Returns to the “Epicenter of AgTech”, UI Research Park
Parkland to showcase ag technology careers, The News-Gazette
Next week is Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, Smile Politely
Parkland Collge to Host Parkland AgTech Showcase, Parkland College
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week Returns with In-Person and Virtual Events, Champaign County EDC