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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

2015 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced

IC Logo

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce finalists for the Tenth Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.

Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.

The winner of each award category will be announced at Innovation Celebration 2015, held at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To RSVP and learn more about the event, visit www.innovationcelebration.com.

Award Finalists

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Neutral Cycle
Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
AVriculture
Lumenous Co.
Rithmio, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Veriflow Systems, Inc.
Agrible, Inc. (Ag Informatics)
EP Purification, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Deana McDonagh
Jennifer Bechtel
Alex Ruggieri

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
The Product Manufactory, LLC
BRG Sports, Inc.
HL Precision Manufacturing, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Cathy Singer – Yahoo!, Inc.
David Markun – Artisan Technology Group
Craig Bethke – Aqueous Solutions, LLC

Innovation: Longevity Award
ShapeMaster, Inc.
Horizon Hobby, LLC
Cozad Asset Management, Inc.

Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois
Dr. Ryan Bailey
Dr. Kenneth Suslick
Dr. Brian Cunningham

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Award recipient will be announced at the event.

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of Innovation Celebration 2015: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Parkland College, Singleton Law Firm, Serra Ventures, Ramshaw Real Estate, Pixo, Pavlov Media, Meyer Capel, Martin Hood Friese & Associates, IllinoisVENTURES, Fox Development Corporation, U of I Employees Credit Union, Surface 51, Prominic.NET, Akuna Capital, JSM Development, M2 on Neil, Waterborne Environmental, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, and McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff.

Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Innovation Celebration finalists named, 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

 

Kotewa Honored by Central Illinois Business Magazine as ‘Forty Under 40’ Award Recipient

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Erik Kotewa, our Deputy Director, has been selected as a ‘Forty Under 40’ award recipient by Central Illinois Business Magazine, a publication by The News-Gazette.

The awards recognize young professionals for their achievements, experience, innovation, leadership and community involvement. The magazine solicited nominations from the community, and an independent panel of judges reviewed the nominations and chose the 40 winners, including a Woman of the Year and Man of the Year.

“We are thrilled for Erik to be recognized with this honor and look forward to celebrating his award with him in October”, said Craig Rost, EDC Executive Director. “This list is a wonderful representation of the young professionals in Champaign County making a positive impact in their communities.”

Kotewa will be honored at the 7th Annual ‘Forty Under 40’ Awards luncheon on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. For more information about the luncheon and to view the full list of winners, visit http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2014-09-07/here-are-your-2014-forty-under-40.html.

Montague Earns Certified Technology Consultant (CTC) Designation

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Champaign County EDC is pleased to announce that Tim Montague, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist, has successfully attained the Certified Technology Consultant (CTC) designation after completing a 16-week course through the Institute for Technology Commercialization.

Idea to Market™: A course in Technology Commercialization is a certification course in technology commercialization. It is designed for individual or corporate entrepreneurs, technology transfer consultants, scientists and engineers who want to learn how to take disruptive or innovative ideas from the lab to market and in the process create new wealth and value by filling a perceived need.

The course provides a solid foundation in the key elements of technology commercialization from idea to market. Concepts covered include: evaluating commercial potential, identifying desirable target markets and segments, managing high-tech ventures, and leading new ventures towards licensing, startups or spin-outs.

The course covers the key aspects of commercializing technologies, and provides the strategic foundation for planning the best route to commercialization—whether it is the market for ideas (licensing), the market for products (start-ups), or a combination of strategies—in order to achieve the best return on your investment in research, intellectual property, and effort in developing that new technology.

From fully operational businesses generating revenue, to early-stage ventures, Montague, the Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist at the SBDC is here to help you commercialize new ideas into innovative products and services. Utilizing progressive tools for business planning and development such as GrowthWheel and Lean Startup, the SBDC can evaluate your business competencies as well as areas for improvement and formulate a path to success. To schedule an appointment, call 217-378-8535 or email tim@cusbdc.org.

About the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is part of America’s Small Business Development Center Network, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. Our objective is to help existing owners and new entrepreneurs achieve their goals, in a complex marketplace locally, regionally, and globally. Our team of advisors is here to make sure your business has what it needs to be successful. Whether you are looking to strengthen an existing business, formulate a succession plan, or even start a new business, the SBDC is here to provide advice, resources, and support for you and your company.

The Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC provides business advising, training, and other assistance to small businesses in Champaign County and the surrounding region at no charge.

About the Institute of Technology Commercialization

The Institute of Technology Commercialization was formed to foster standards in technology commercialization consulting, to promote best practices in the field, and to educate interested participants in the art and science of technology commercialization.

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