ExpansionArchive for the ‘’ Category

Veriflow Systems, Inc. Announces Expansion in Champaign

From the press release:

San Jose, CA based Veriflow Systems, Inc., has announced its expansion in Champaign, Illinois with the leasing of 4,200 square feet of office space on the 2nd floor of One Main Plaza at 1 East Main Street in Downtown Champaign. Verifow is relocating from its current space at Enterprise Works at the Research Park at the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign campus. Veriflow will join fellow high tech company, Volition, in occupying the majority of the office space at One Main Plaza.

Veriflow was created by a team of computer science professors and PhD students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Veriflow is the first networking company to use continuous network verification to eliminate network outages and vulnerabilities. Veriflow’s mission is to apply formal mathematical verification to complex networks, preventing outages and breaches that lead to astronomical losses.

Veriflow is backed by a strong team of investors, including New Enterprise Associates, Menlo Ventures, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Defense. In October, Veriflow won Barclays 2016 Open Innovation Challenge award, beating out more than 100 global technology companies for the honor. Veriflow was founded by Matthew Caesar, PhD, Brighten Godfrey, PhD, and Ahmed Khurshid, PhD. All three hold Associate Professor positions in Computer Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Veriflow is planning to occupy the space at One Main Plaza, after renovations are completed on the existing office space, with a target move date of April, 2017. With their expansion, Veriflow will increase employment in the Champaign market, capitalizing on the strength of the computer science program at the University of Illinois.

“With the physical Tier 1 amenities, access to public transportation and proximity to the university, One Main in Downtown Champaign was an ideal location to for our expansion,” said James Brear President and CEO of Veriflow.

“One Main Development is excited to welcome Veriflow Systems, Inc. to join the prestigious businesses that make their home in Downtown Champaign,” says Dave Jones, President. “As downtown has been evolving back into a central business district, we are pleased that such a respected tech company will be taking advantage of the environment for their own business growth and development. It has been a great pleasure working with the Veriflow team and we are looking forward to welcoming them into One Main Plaza.”

“I’m excited to welcome Veriflow as it expands into Champaign’s booming downtown tech center. World leading technology companies continue to grow and thrive in Champaign, and we welcome the new opportunities and jobs this will mean for our community” stated Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen.

“Veriflow’s decision to grow in the Champaign-Urbana community is fantastic news,” said Craig Rost, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “Evolving from their location in EnterpriseWorks, the University of Illinois Research Park incubator, into the downtown Champaign location with other high tech employers is the perfect success story for the company and for Champaign County. We look forward to working with Veriflow, another great example of our ‘Heart of Innovation’ legacy here in our community and University.”

One Main Plaza offers retail and office space for lease at its premier location on the corner of Neil and Main Streets in downtown Champaign. Its largest office tenant is Deep Silver Volition, a well-known gaming design firm. Big Grove Tavern, Kofusion, Snow Meets Coffee and Merry Ann’s Diner restaurants occupy the first floor, along with Hada Cosmetic Medicine.

Guth & Associates/Fairlawn Real Estate represented Veriflow Systems in securing their space at One Main Plaza and Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty represented One Main Development, LLC in the transaction.

Veriflow is the first networking company to use continuous network verification to eliminate network outages and vulnerabilities. The company was created by a team of computer science professors and Ph.D. students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is backed by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Menlo Ventures, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California. To learn more, visit veriflow.net and follow us on Twitter @veriflowsystems.

Other Veriflow Information and Links:

Download a PDF of the press release here.

II-VI EpiWorks Announces Major Expansion in Champaign

II-VI EpiWorks has announced a major expansion in Champaign – a new state-of-the-art production facility. The expansion is expected to be complete by mid-2017 and will enable a quadrupling of capacity in Champaign over the next three years. This project will bring 100+ new high tech jobs to our area.

“EpiWorks is a true community success story,” said Craig Rost, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “The company started here in Champaign-Urbana at the University of Illinois, eventually graduating from EnterpriseWorks tech incubator in UI Research Park, and growing to a facility in Champaign. The acquisition of EpiWorks by II-VI, a leader in semiconductor lasers, expanded their market and production capability and gave our community a chance to grow a high tech employer. Their expansion here in Champaign County will add 120 new tech and engineering jobs and create a real boost to the local economy.”

“We had the pleasure of working with the II-VI EpiWorks team on their expansion plans,” said Rost. “We helped secure an EDGE Tax Credit for the company through the Illinois Department of Commerce.”

From the press release:

II-VI EpiWorks Undergoing Major Expansion

Champaign, IL, November 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The II-VI EpiWorks Division of II‐VI Incorporated (NASDAQ:IIVI), a leading provider of compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers, today announced that it is breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art production facility in Champaign, Illinois.

The expansion is expected to be complete by mid-2017 and will enable a quadrupling of capacity in Champaign over the next three years. In addition to substantial epitaxial wafer production space, the new cleanroom will house a state-of-the-art wafer characterization and test laboratory. To operate the new facility, EpiWorks is actively recruiting experienced managers, engineers and technicians. This aggressive expansion enhances EpiWorks’ leadership position in the global compound semiconductor industry, supporting the performance and volume requirements for several key components that enable multiple growing markets. These include InP and GaAs-based optoelectronic communication components for cloud computing and datacenters, VCSELs for 3D sensing and next generation wide bandgap devices for 5G wireless infrastructure.

“High-performance compound semiconductors are required to meet the performance needs of modern communication networks, sensors, smartphones, wireless communications networks, and datacenters. Our technology is being adopted in many applications, and we are ensuring that our capacity continues to meet customer demand now and in the future,” said Giovanni Barbarossa, Chief Technical Officer and President of the Laser Solutions Segment. “The new capacity will support our RF and photonics businesses, and we will have more resources to research and develop new materials and products.”

“Immediately after merging with II-VI in February, we ordered three new MOCVD production tools and filled our current cleanroom space. These systems have already been installed, and we have now moved into the next phase of growth by expanding our cleanroom space, launching an aggressive hiring plan, and working to build the industry’s most technologically advanced and efficient manufacturing line.” said Quesnell Hartmann and David Ahmari, co-founders of II-VI EpiWorks.

“It is great to see EpiWorks continue to grow and create jobs in Illinois,” Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said. “This company has a strong Illinois history, having been founded by University of Illinois alumni. EpiWorks’ success in Illinois is a testament to our state’s research universities, the ingenuity of our workforce, and the innovative community in Champaign Urbana. We hope to continue to be a partner with them to help grow their business within our borders and build upon this success.”

About II-VI Incorporated
II-VI Incorporated, a global leader in engineered materials and opto-electronic components, is a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets.

About II-VI EpiWorks
II-VI EpiWorks develops and manufactures compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers for application in optical components, wireless devices and high-speed communication systems. The company’s products provide these applications additional performance, such as greater bandwidth, higher power efficiency and better reliability. To learn more about EpiWorks visit www.epiworks.com.

CONTACT:
Dawn Sandone
217-531-6514
dawn.sandone@ii-vi.com
www.epiworks.com

View photos & video from the groundbreaking ceremony on November 28, 2016.

Press:

II-VI EpiWorks celebrates groundbreaking for upcoming major expansion, Smile Politely

II-VI EpiWorks Undergoing Major Expansion, The Wall Street Journal

Local High-Tech Company Expands Production Worldwide, FOX 55/27 Illinois

II-VI EpiWorks Breaks Ground On New US Production Facility, Compound Semiconductor

EpiWorks breaks ground on production expansion and wafer characterization and test lab, Semiconductor Today

II-VI breaks ground on VCSEL site expansion, optics.org

Champaign County First Trip

Craig Rost, our Executive Director, joined the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and other community CC1stakeholders for the annual Champaign County First trip to Washington D.C., June 6-8.

Champaign County First is a united countywide effort to identify projects and/or initiatives that, when successfully completed, will greatly benefit the citizens of Champaign County; spur economic development; and improve the quality of life in Champaign County. Champaign County First partners are committed to advocating on behalf of the identified projects at the local, state and/or federal level with one voice in order to transform Champaign County.

Rost and others met with Amtrak, Senator Richard Durbin’s office, Senator Mark Kirk’s office, the United States Department of Transportation, and Congressman Rodney Davis, among others. Projects discussed: high speed rail, passenger rail, I-57/74 interchange, road and sewer improvements, and more.

 

AbbVie Innovation Center Opens at UI Research Park

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park

The University of Illinois has announced that AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global research-based biopharmaceutical company based in North Chicago, IL, has opened the AbbVie Innovation Center on campus at the University of Illinois Research Park in Urbana-Champaign.

The AbbVie Innovation Center plans to employ more than 18 students, from undergraduate to graduate level, on a part-time basis throughout the year. Eight students have started working on several AbbVie Research & Development Information Technology projects, which is the initial focus of work in the AbbVie Innovation Center. AbbVie is currently hiring for several open positions.

“At AbbVie, we know that advancing science requires strong collaboration and different ways of working. Establishing this innovative and collaborative work center at a world-class research university offers us access to top students and faculty who can help us explore new ideas,” said Mike Carlin, Vice President, R&D Information Technology, AbbVie. “The AbbVie Innovation Center is a great example of how AbbVie is partnering in unique ways to find new solutions that will have an impact for patients.”

Students will work on real-world projects ranging from utilizing visualization software which can help AbbVie scientists see clinical trial research data in new ways, to harnessing the power of reporting tools which helps AbbVie medical teams identify additional areas of research, to using informatics, text mining and other analytics software to uncover connections in medical research – all of which can lead to discoveries that will improve patient care.

While students will gain real-world professional experience by working directly with AbbVie project managers, an AbbVie Site Manager will manage the students and serve as liaison between the AbbVie Innovation Center and the University of Illinois.

“The AbbVie Innovation Center will give our students the opportunity to be at the forefront of information technologies for leading-edge therapies that can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Chancellor Phyllis Wise. “Such real-world experiences are examples of the transformative educational opportunities at Illinois that grow from our leadership in engineering, big data, and biomedical sciences.”

The Research Park, located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign, provides an opportunity for technology-based businesses to collaborate with students and faculty. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Engineering is among the highest ranked in the nation, and is a highly sought after partner for pursuing the integration of engineering, computing, and medicine.

About AbbVie

AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs approximately 25,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

Press:

U of I, AbbVie partner on innovation center, Chicago Tribune

AbbVie opens site at UI Research Park, The News-Gazette

Caterpillar Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary of Champaign Simulation Center at University of Illinois and Announces Expansion Plans

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park photo-9

As a tribute to years of innovation through collaboration, Caterpillar Inc. marked the 15-year anniversary of its Champaign Simulation Center today, located in Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In celebration of the milestone, the company is announcing plans to establish a new data analytics laboratory. The expansion will build upon the existing recruitment efforts with the university to engage future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent through additional research and development opportunities, and is a key component of the company’s innovation strategy.

Caterpillar opened the simulation center on the Urbana-Champaign campus in 1999, working in conjunction with the University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). Since then, the center has not only contributed to Caterpillar’s recruiting efforts, but  also serves as a leading engineering hub for virtual product development, advanced simulation and design solutions. Now, the company looks to the next phase of its research and development efforts on the campus by leveraging the university’s data analytics capabilities and resources.

“Our Champaign Simulation Center has been a crucial component for our product development efforts by bringing in new talent – as evidenced by student teams working with our engineers – and through the use of new technologies to aid in research and development,” said Gwenne Henricks, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product Development and Global Technology at Caterpillar. “Since the facility’s opening, we have been privileged to have more than 350 students involved with the center, either through the Caterpillar Practicum Program or as interns working at the center. We are proud to say that approximately 100 of those former students now work at Caterpillar. With today’s expansion announcement, we hope to inspire future innovators to dig into technology right in their own backyard.”

“Caterpillar’s new data analytics lab will serve to strengthen an already close relationship between the company, the University of Illinois and the Research Park,” said Peter Schiffer, Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Caterpillar’s innovative approach to its Research Park operation started 15 years ago, when it pioneered the Research Park student employment model – one that has been replicated by many other companies. We are looking forward to more productive years ahead.”

Caterpillar and the university will begin efforts for the data analytics lab expansion later this year. The new lab will foster real world innovation by bringing together university researchers and Caterpillar analytics professionals from engineering, computer science, statistics and economics to work on challenges and opportunities raised by technological and cultural change. This investment aligns with the company’s strategy to exceed customer expectations with outstanding products and solutions.

About Caterpillar:

For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2013 sales and revenues of $55.656 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Power Systems – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

Press:

Caterpillar to open lab at UI Research Park, The News-Gazette

Caterpillar, Inc. to build data analytics lab at Research Park, Daily Illini

Caterpillar & U of I Research Park Celebrate 15 Year Partnership, UIUC Office of the Vice President for Research

 

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