I-Corps Industry Connect Program

Have an innovative business idea that involves AgTech?

For researchers with innovative ideas with an AgTech focus, the Midwest I-Corps Node (MWIN) will be offering an I-Corps^TM Industry Connect program on March 5th and 6th in Champaign. This customer discovery and networking workshop will be held in conjunction with the University of Illinois Research Park’s AgTech Summit on March 6th. The Summit will bring together over 300 attendees representing more than 40 companies. This is a great opportunity to engage with decision makers in the AgTech space.

In past years, presenters and attendees at the University of Illinois Research Park AgTech Summit have come from a broad group of companies such as Granular, Agrible, John Deere, and AGCO, to name a few. They represent industries ranging from agriculture to financial services to internet services to health care.

There is no fee to attend the MWIN Industry Connect event, but an application is required. A preliminary agenda is below. Questions may be directed to Howard Gerwin, Associate Director of Technology Acceleration at howar@illinois.edu.

Co-located AgTech Events:

Take advantage of two full days of AgTech opportunities! Tuesday, March 5 also features an SBIR Workshop from 8AM to Noon, followed by the I-Corps Industry Connect Program in the afternoon. The AgTech Innovation Summit officially kicks of that evening with a Welcome Reception. The SBIR Workshop, I-Corps Program, and AgTech Welcome Reception are located at EnterpriseWorks, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign. [view on map]

The AgTech Summit will be held at the iHotel and Conference Center [view on map]

Visit the event links for more information and to register (SBIR Workshop & AgTech Summit) or to apply (I-Corps Program).

Preliminary Agenda for I-Corps Industry Connect

Tuesday, March 5^th

12:00-1:00 p.m.	Networking Lunch & team introductions	EW 130
1:00-2:00 p.m.	Customer Discovery at a Trade Show Partnership discussion with Harlee Sorkin
2:00-3:00 p.m.	Key Partners & Engaging Strategics: Do’s & Don’t’s panel discussion with Howard
3:00-4:00 p.m.	Pitching at a Trade Show Business thesis workshop with Tom Parkinson
4:00-5:30 p.m.	Open Office Hours: goal setting & scouting	EW 226a and TBD if required
5:30-7:00 p.m.	AgSummit Opening Reception	EW Atrium

Wednesday, March 6^th

7:30 – 8:00

Open office hour

TBD @ iHotel

8:00 a.m. –

4:00 p.m.

Agriculture Technology Innovation Summit

I-Hotel

Conf. Center

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Summit Debrief, goal review, lessons learned

What’s next?

TBD at IHotel

EW = EnterpriseWorks, 60 Hazelwood Dr., Champaign, IL 61820
I-Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 S. 1^st St., Champaign, IL 61820