U.S. Department of Energy

A major research university in the heart of one of the world's greatest cities, UIC provides a world-class education for its students. We are committed to creating and disseminating new knowledge as a university of growing national and international stature. The largest university in the Chicago area, UIC has 27,580 students, 15 colleges-including the nation's largest medical school-and annual research expenditures exceeding $335 million. UIC operates the state's major public medical center and serves as the principal educator of Illinois' physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other health-care professionals. A truly global institution, more than a third of UIC students speak English as a second language. UIC's student body-approximately 61 percent undergraduate and 39 percent graduate and professional-is recognized as one of the nation's most diverse. We consider this one of our greatest strengths.

Super.tech is a company that specializes in enhancing quantum computing by integrating software with hardware. Founded in 2020 by Pranav Gokhale and Fred Chong, Super.tech has developed a comprehensive quantum stack that addresses the challenges faced by quantum software developers. This innovative architecture allows software to be explicitly aware of the underlying quantum hardware, facilitating significant speed improvements for practical applications. By bridging the gap between quantum applications and hardware, Super.tech aims to advance the capabilities of quantum computing and support its practical implementation in various fields.

mHUB is an independent innovation center based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on hardtech and manufacturing. Established in 2013, it supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem surrounding physical product innovation. The organization serves over 270 startups and small businesses, leveraging a diverse talent pool that includes product designers, engineers, and industry experts. mHUB specializes in the development and manufacturing of various products, such as robotics, connected devices, sensors, energy technology, medical devices, smart buildings and cities, and unmanned vehicles. By providing a resource-rich environment, mHUB aims to facilitate the commercialization of new hardtech innovations, fostering the growth of new businesses, intellectual property, investment opportunities, and job creation within the manufacturing sector.

LanzaJet producer of aviation fuel that captures waste gas emissions and uses bacteria to turn it into useable ethanol fuel.

mHUB is an independent innovation center based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on hardtech and manufacturing. Established in 2013, it supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem surrounding physical product innovation. The organization serves over 270 startups and small businesses, leveraging a diverse talent pool that includes product designers, engineers, and industry experts. mHUB specializes in the development and manufacturing of various products, such as robotics, connected devices, sensors, energy technology, medical devices, smart buildings and cities, and unmanned vehicles. By providing a resource-rich environment, mHUB aims to facilitate the commercialization of new hardtech innovations, fostering the growth of new businesses, intellectual property, investment opportunities, and job creation within the manufacturing sector.

Argonne is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center, where “dream teams” of world-class researchers work alongside experts from industry, academia and other government laboratories to address vital national challenges in clean energy, environment, technology and national security. Through collaborations with researchers here at Argonne and around the world, they strive to discover new ways to develop energy innovations through science, create novel materials molecule-by-molecule, and gain a deeper understanding of their planet, their climate and the cosmos. Surrounded by the highest concentration of top-tier research organizations in the world, Argonne leverages its Chicago-area location to lead discovery and to power innovation in a wide range of core scientific capabilities, from high-energy physics and materials science to structural biology and advanced computer science. Embracing the nation’s greatest challenges, Argonne’s world-renowned scientists and engineers conduct pioneering research that advances America’s scientific excellence and leadership and helps pave the way to a secure nation with a plentiful supply of safe, sustainable energy, a healthy environment, and a competitive economy. They pursue big, ambitious ideas that redefine what is possible. Their pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries pushes the boundaries of fundamental science, applied science and engineering to solve complex challenges and develop useful technologies that can transform the marketplace and change the world. A center for world-class discovery and scientific excellence, their diverse and dynamic research agenda spans 15 scientific divisions, 14 centers, and six national user facilities. This rich scientific environment provides their researchers – and those who visit us from all corners of the globe – with an extraordinary range of cutting-edge facilities and scientific tools that support in-depth research, drive technological breakthroughs, and improve their nation’s competitiveness and quality of life. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science

As your local utility and an energy delivery company with more than a century of experience, our commitment to customer service, security, and satisfaction is guided by the progress of the past and the promise of the future. Driving an industry that is entrepreneurial in nature, we have always remained focused on benefiting the people, environment, and economies of the communities we serve. We continue to enhance our services and the workforce that helps us generate smart ideas.

SolarBridge Technologies, originally founded as SmartSpark Energy Systems in 2004, specializes in power electronics technologies developed at the University of Illinois. In 2009, the company shifted its focus to the solar industry, offering advanced microinverter and monitoring solutions. With major research and development facilities in Champaign, Illinois, and a corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, SolarBridge is led by experienced professionals from both industry and academia. The company's mission centers on reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for solar installations by enhancing reliability, boosting energy production, and streamlining installation processes.

SolarBridge Technologies, originally founded as SmartSpark Energy Systems in 2004, specializes in power electronics technologies developed at the University of Illinois. In 2009, the company shifted its focus to the solar industry, offering advanced microinverter and monitoring solutions. With major research and development facilities in Champaign, Illinois, and a corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, SolarBridge is led by experienced professionals from both industry and academia. The company's mission centers on reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for solar installations by enhancing reliability, boosting energy production, and streamlining installation processes.

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. specializes in producing and distributing specialty chemicals derived from plant oils through a process called natural oil metathesis. Founded in 2007 and based in Woodridge, Illinois, the company offers a diverse range of products, including cleaning ingredients, coating materials, oil field chemicals, and personal care ingredients. These products find applications across various sectors, such as detergents, coatings, personal care, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Elevance provides manufacturing consulting and technical services related to intermediates and bio-based feedstocks. With a focus on transforming renewable oils into high-performance materials, Elevance is strategically positioned to cater to the growing consumer demand in specialty chemical markets, which exceed $100 billion annually.