Research ParkArchive for the ‘’ Category

Capital One Opens the Illinois Digital Campus Lab at University of Illinois Research Park

From the UI Research Park:

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Oct. 23, 2015) – The University of Illinois and Capital One (DOW: COF), today announced the grand opening of the Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab in Research Park. The Digital Campus Lab is Capital One’s newest lab and the company’s first partnership with a university.

The Lab will focus on research and experimentation in data science and data technologies as well as on infrastructure automation and use of the most modern programming frameworks and technologies such as Open Source, Big Data, Cloud, DevOps, among others. University of Illinois students, both undergraduate and graduate, will work year-round in the Lab.

“Engineering is a critical focus for Capital One and we’re attracting top talent – designers, software engineers, data scientists and product managers – and empowering them with the technologies they need to rapidly innovate based on what consumers want today,” said George Brady, Executive Vice President of Technology Operations at Capital One.

The new Lab extends Capital One’s presence in Illinois, where it has a large facility in the Chicago area. The Digital Campus Lab will leverage the strength of data analytics research and education at the University of Illinois, which crosses many disciplines including computer science, math and statistics, finance, and information science.

“With the opening of this Lab, Capital One has shown a commitment to providing real-world opportunities to our students as they apply in real time what they are learning in the classroom,” said interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson. “Adding a customer-facing corporation to the Research Park broadens the experiences our students may tap, enriching their Illinois education.”

The University of Illinois Research Park is home to innovation centers for multinational corporations and publicly traded firms including ADM, Dow Chemical, John Deere, Yahoo!, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Caterpillar, State Farm, Citrix, Raytheon, and Abbott.

About Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., had $208.8 billion in deposits and $310.5 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2015. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COF” and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Press:

Capital One opens digital lab at University of Illinois, Blue Sky Innovation (Chicago Tribune)
What’s in your laboratory? UI and Capital One open facility on campus, The News-Gazette

Champaign-Urbana Reminds World of Innovation History with “You’re Welcome” Campaign

Effort highlights history of innovation, culture, quality of life
YW Logo

Champaign, IL (September 23, 2015) – From the plasma TV to the Web browser to LED technology and oh-so-delicious whipped cream in a can, Champaign-Urbana has a rich legacy of innovation that is virtually unmatched. Yet, few people outside of the 217 area code realize that this Menlo Park of the Midwest was responsible for a remarkable number of innovations and companies that have changed the world.

Enter “You’re Welcome”, a national marketing campaign that seeks to infuse Champaign-Urbana with community pride while letting everyone else in on the little secret we already know: while C-U is a hub of smarts with a legacy of innovation, it’s also a great place to live, work, and dream up new ideas. “We know C-U is a fantastic place, now it is time to tell the world,” said Craig Rost, director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “It is awesome how this project has pulled the community together to tell our story.”

“Champaign-Urbana is one of the most talent-dense, well educated, and diverse regions in the U.S.,” said Laura Frerichs, director of the Research Park at the University of Illinois, which is home to software engineering hubs for companies like Yahoo, Anheuser-Busch, John Deere, Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, Raytheon and the award-winning EnterpriseWorks startup incubator. “The university’s top ranked engineering, informatics and computer science programs have created a robust pipeline of innovators with technical skills to fuel an unusually large technology community that is balanced by an outstanding quality of life.”

The You’re Welcome website is an information-rich portal of community information that includes a community job board; C-U brag points and community rankings; local videos and photo galleries; downloads of information and materials; and links to organizations and resources. It will be an asset for local businesses and organizations looking to recruit skilled talent to the area.

You’re Welcome is a true community collaboration that crosses city and town-gown boundaries. Led by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and the University of Illinois Research Park, sponsors also include City of Champaign; Wolfram; Yahoo!; Busey; Amdocs; EpiWorks, Inc.; Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc.; Pixo; East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council; Riverbed; Singleton Law Firm; Grainger, Inc.; Village of Savoy; Smith/Burgett Architects, Inc.; Taylor Studios; Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Barham Benefit Group; Polyvinyl Record Co.; and The Pygmalion Festival. Multiple community partners also participated in the ideation and implementation of the campaign.

For more information, please visit YoureWelcomeCU.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Sponsorships are still available.

Just a friendly tip from the friendly Midwest. You’re Welcome.

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Press:

SBA Regional Administrator Marianne Markowitz Presents $100,000 Boost to Champaign’s Small Business Opportunities

The U.S. Small Business Administration was in town this morning to present $100,000 total in awards, including $50,000 to the City of Champaign, one of SBA’s 28 Startup in a Day winners, and $50,000 to EnterpriseWorks at University of Illinois Research Park, one of Illinois’ four Growth Accelerator Fund Competition winners. These awards will help boost Champaign-Urbana-area small business growth and economic development by supporting the collaboration of government offices, educational institutions, and public-private partnerships.

SBA Check Presentation

The SBA’s first-ever Startup in a Day Competition was created to help U.S. cities simplify the licensing process so entrepreneurs can startup in a day. In total, $1.6 million was awarded to 26 cities, including Champaign, and two Native American tribes. The City is receiving $50,000 for its Virtual Incubator Program, which is a partnership between all local agencies providing entrepreneurship services throughout Champaign County. The Virtual Incubator is to be managed and coordinated by the local Small Business Development Center, which is supported by the SBA and based out of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation.

EnterpriseWorks received a $50,000 to help fund its successful I-Start program, which accelerates the technology commercialization process for university startups with access to various resources in their ­first year. Since the Growth Accelerator Fund’s inception in 2014, more than 5,100 jobs have been created or sustained, more than 1,450 startups have been served and approximately $600 million of capital has been raised by the startups.

 

 

2015 Innovation Celebration Winners Announced

Over 400 people gathered at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for the 10th Annual Innovation Celebration on the evening on March 3rd to recognize 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 winners were chosen out of more than 100 nominations.

Award Winners
Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois
Dr. Kenneth Suslick

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Applied Media Promotions (AMP)

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

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Rithmio, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Agrible, Inc. (Ag Informatics)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Alex Ruggieri

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
BRG Sports, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Cathy Singer – Yahoo!, Inc.

Innovation: Longevity Award
Horizon Hobby

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.

A special thanks to 40 North for producing the videos.

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

Press:

Innovation Celebration for new businesses, WCIA 3News
Individuals, organizations honored for innovation, The News-Gazette
Innovation Celebration: Another scene worth celebrating, Smile Politely
The Risks and Rewards of Innovation, Parkland College
It’s All About U, City of Urbana

Tweets – #INNCEL:

2015 Innovation Celebration

Event Photos:

2015 Innovation Celebration

 

Caterpillar Celebrates Grand Opening of Data Innovation Lab at UI Research Park

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park 

Caterpillar Inc. announced today the grand opening of its first data innovation lab, located in Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The lab brings together resources from key fields for the company’s research and development (R&D) efforts, including engineering, computer science, operations research and statistics, to drive innovative development through data analysis. Today’s announcement builds upon work underway at Caterpillar’s existing simulation center, also located on the Urbana-Champaign campus, which operates in conjunction with the University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

Work at the new data innovation lab will focus on exploration of emerging and disruptive data-based technologies, as well as advanced analytics technologies, demonstrated through proof of concept projects.

“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our data innovation lab here at the University of Illinois and look forward to further collaboration with our university partners and researchers,” said Gwenne Henricks, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product  Development & Global Technology for Caterpillar. “By examining the world of data analytics, we can uncover hidden insights on how our customers use our products and services, and deliver that feedback to our product and customer support teams to drive better solutions and further our R&D efforts.”

“Caterpillar has been a tremendous partner with the U of I – ours is a strategic relationship that helps drive success at our respective institutions,” said University of Illinois Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Peter Schiffer. “The Research Park is a natural fit for a tech-focused company like Caterpillar, and this new innovation lab will leverage Illinois strengths in computing and data analysis in exciting ways.”

The new lab also expands 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. As work at the data innovation lab evolves, more information will be made available about the various activities that take place there. For more information on Caterpillar’s efforts, please view the following video: http://youtu.be/QfVIJD0Vd0Y.

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 Energy & Transportation – 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 Opens New Data Analysis Lab at U of I Research Park, WILL

World’s first opens in Research Park, WCIA 3 News

Caterpillar opens lab at UI research park, The News-Gazette

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