Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week is March 2-6, and there are multiple opportunities for the public to engage with the ag and tech communities. AgTech week is hosted by Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, and You’re Welcome C-U. Here are events that anyone can attend, per the CCEDC website:
Launch Celebration – Illinois AgTech Accelerator
Monday, March 2nd, 4 p.m.
1800 S. Oak Street, Champaign
Join us to celebrate the launch of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator, the state’s first accelerator program focused on AgTech, which will be based in Champaign-Urbana – the “epicenter for AgTech.” Local stakeholders and companies have partnered with Gener8tor, a nationally ranked accelerator program based in Madison, Wisconsin, to make this a reality. The Illinois AgTech Accelerator will attract top AgTech startups to our community, provide them with seed investments, networking opportunities, mentorships, an educational curriculum, and a demo/pitch day.
Free to attend & open to public.
TechMix at Cargill Innovation Lab
Tuesday, March 3rd, 5 to 7 p.m.
Cargill Innovation Lab: 1800 S. Oak Street, Suite 203, Champaign
Cargill’s 160,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 154 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.
Free to attend & open to public. Appetizers and drinks will be served.
TechMix events are organized by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation as a networking opportunity for local technology professionals and companies to meet each other. These events are targeted for engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs working in the tech sector to learn more about other companies in the industry locally.
Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit
Wednesday, March 4th, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
iHotel & Conference Center: 1900 S. First Street, Champaign
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 2020 AgTech Summit will include panels and discussions on how Big Data is modernizing the agriculture value chain, investment in AgTech, industry leaders on the state of agriculture, and how growers are preparing for future generations. It will include presentations from some of the top AgTech startups in the region.
Free to attend & open to public.
Agriculture Innovation Technology Summit – Showcase & Networking Event
Wednesday, March 4th, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
iHotel & Conference Center: 1900 S. First Street, Champaign
Join us for the AgTech Innovation Summit Showcase and Networking Reception! The AgTech Showcase is an opportunity to connect with Research Park companies, discover innovative technologies, and network with industry leaders. Even if you can’t attend the AgTech Summit earlier in the day, you’re welcome to join us for the AgTech Showcase. This free event is open to the community and will take place immediately following the AgTech Innovation Summit. The AgTech Showcase is an excellent opportunity to see first-hand how technology is affecting the agricultural industry.
Free to attend & open to public.
Wednesday, March 4th, 5 to 8 p.m.
Riggs Beer Company: 1901 S. High Cross Road, Urbana
Join the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation for Flight Night for Ag! Bring your donation to support Ag in the Classroom and join them at Riggs Beer Company for an evening of live music, food, friends, and fun. With your support, they can continue their mission of reaching 1,500+ students per month with a positive and truthful agricultural message. A minimum $25 donation to the Ag in the Classroom program is requested for this event.
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL) Tour
Thursday, March 5, 8 to 9:30 a.m., tours offered every half hour
IBRL: 1300 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) is a bioprocessing product research and development facility that bridges the gap from basic discovery to commercialization of bioproducts. The facility serves as an invaluable asset to bioenergy and bioprocessing companies by partnering them with the human and equipment capabilities of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Faculty and researchers affiliated with the IBRL have the expertise needed to improve efficiencies, reduce water usage, and increase biofuel production in the corn ethanol industry. IBRL provides a lab and pilot plant for innovative research to market application and commercial products for industry partners. Researchers are also developing and improving technologies for next-generation biofuels and value-added products derived from biomass.
RSVP for a tour to Dr. Beth Conerty, IBRL’s Business Development Manager, at bconerty@illinois.edu.
Free to attend & open to public.
Parkland College’s Annual Agriculture Banquet
Friday, March 6, 7:30 AM (doors open), 8 AM (breakfast is served)
Parkland College – Student Union: 2400 W. Bradley Avenue, Champaign
Join Parkland College to celebrate the class of 2020, honor outstanding student achievements, and thank their industry partners. RSVP by Friday, February 28 to cmurphy@parkland.edu / 217-351-2481.
CU AgTech Week: Happy Hour & Riggs Beer Company Tour
Friday, March 6, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Riggs Beer Company: 1901 S. High Cross Road, Urbana
Join us for a Happy Hour and tour at Riggs Beer Company as we celebrate the inaugural Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week! Happy Hour is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the free tour starts at 5:15 p.m.
Founded in 2016 by brothers Matt and Darin Riggs, Riggs Beer Company brings the freshest German and American beer styles to Central Illinois.
Free to attend & open to public.
Image from Champaign County EDC.
