National Science Foundation

Great Lakes ReNew is a foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2016. It operates as a partnership comprising over 50 institutions, including universities, technology firms, and government and nonprofit organizations. The foundation focuses on driving innovation and collaboration in various sectors, leveraging the collective expertise and resources of its diverse partners to address pressing environmental and social challenges. The executive team manages its activities and initiatives, aiming to enhance sustainability and community development in the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Founded in 1890 as the Armour Institute, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is a private, independent, nonprofit research university located in Chicago. IIT offers a wide range of programs, including engineering, science, architecture, business, law, design, human sciences, and applied technology, granting degrees up to the Ph.D. level. The university's Chicago location enhances its global recruitment efforts and provides extensive opportunities that inform its educational and research initiatives. Through its innovative research and collaborations, IIT aims to contribute positively to the city of Chicago, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that supports both the institution's growth and the community's development.

The University of Chicago is a private research university renowned for its rigorous academic inquiry across various fields such as sciences, economics, law, and medicine. It offers over 50 specialized undergraduate and graduate programs, including interdisciplinary studies like 'Big Problems'. The university fosters critical thinking and encourages cross-disciplinary exploration while hosting numerous public art and cultural events.

Northwestern University, established in 1851, is a comprehensive research university offering over 120 undergraduate programs and more than 140 graduate and professional degrees across its 12 schools and colleges. It provides educational services, including internship opportunities, career guidance, financial aid options such as loans, grants, and scholarships, and exam certification resources to its approximately 8,500 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate/professional students. The university is renowned for its law school, founded in 1859, which offers Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees and various master's programs, along with executive education and clinical legal education opportunities. Northwestern University is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, with additional campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar.

Established in 1867, this prestigious university is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and economic impact on the state. With over 3,000 faculty members, it offers a wide range of programs, attracting top students who engage in diverse activities and join global alumni networks.

Established in 1867, this prestigious university is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and economic impact on the state. With over 3,000 faculty members, it offers a wide range of programs, attracting top students who engage in diverse activities and join global alumni networks.

Dynamac Microwave is a manufacturer of electronic components located in Addison, Illinois. The company specializes in providing a range of products and solutions including electronic countermeasures, reaction capability equipment, filters and networks, switches, semiconductor devices, and amplifiers. Their offerings cater to various applications in the electronics industry, emphasizing advanced technology and performance in electronic systems.

Psyonic, Inc. is a company that develops advanced bionic limbs aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals with amputations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Psyonic focuses on creating innovative prosthetic solutions, with its flagship product being an advanced bionic hand. This hand features muscle pattern recognition technology and provides sensory feedback, allowing users to perform everyday tasks with greater ease. Designed to be user-friendly and durable, it is also positioned to be affordable, with aspirations for full insurance coverage to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for users. The company's commitment to accessibility ensures that its products cater to a wide range of needs for those with amputations and injured limbs.

FrostDefense, founded in 2018 and based in Champaign, Illinois, specializes in developing innovative frost protection solutions. The company focuses on creating environmentally friendly biofertilizers and patented sprayable compounds designed to combat early spring frost, particularly in vineyards and specialty fruit crops. By offering these frost protection products, FrostDefense aims to help vineyard owners prevent frost damage, thereby enhancing crop yield and improving labor management and mechanized farming operations.

Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 2018, Volexion specializes in manufacturing lithium ion batteries. Its proprietary graphene coating technology enhances conventional lithium-ion batteries, offering clients improved battery life, power performance, and a wider temperature and voltage range.

NanoPattern Technologies develops photopatternable quantum dot formulations and nanoparticle inks for patterning high-resolution quantum dot downconverter layers, enabling displays for televisions, smartphones, wearables, augmented reality and virtual reality. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company’s direct nanoparticle lithography process is compatible with conventional photolithography and supports parallel patterning, helping manufacturers produce advanced display systems.

Founded in 2016, Amber Agriculture develops IoT-based sensor solutions for automated grain storage monitoring and management. Its technology helps farmers protect and optimize their crops, reducing waste and enabling better market timing.

Epivara, established in 2016 and based in Champaign, Illinois, specializes in animal welfare innovations. The company develops a single-injection alternative to traditional spaying and neutering surgery for pets. This non-surgical sterilization method aims to reduce pain, risk, and recovery time compared to conventional procedures, thereby improving the lives of both animals and their owners. Epivara's mission is to enhance animal well-being through innovative science and compassionate care.

Natural Fiber Welding, Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Peoria, Illinois, specializes in the manufacture and supply of sustainable fabrics and materials derived from natural fibers. The company has developed a circularity platform that produces high-performance, plastic-free materials from plants, which are applicable across various industries, including fashion, footwear, automotive, and upholstery. By integrating its innovative technology into existing supply chains, Natural Fiber Welding enables brands to design and scale environmentally friendly products, thereby promoting sustainability in material usage.

Rhaeos is a pioneering company that has developed the world's first wearable shunt monitor, designed to enhance the quality of care for patients with hydrocephalus. Utilizing a novel thermal biosensor, Rhaeos addresses a critical clinical need by offering noninvasive, wireless patches that detect fluid flow in various bodily systems, including blood, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid. This innovative technology enables timely treatment for chronic medical conditions, particularly in the field of neurosurgery. Founded through collaborative efforts at Northwestern University, Rhaeos exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from engineering, medicine, and management to advance patient care.

O2M Technologies develops oxygen imaging devices for effective cancer and regenerative medicine treatments. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

BiomeSense develops an integrated hardware, software, and data platform to scale microbiome data collection and analysis for clinical research. The company integrates at-home monitoring of the gut microbiome through its GutLab smart-bathroom system with the MetaBiome time-series analytics platform to connect microbiome changes with clinical outcomes in real time. Its platform supports large-scale, densely longitudinal datasets to discover, validate, and commercialize microbiome biomarkers, enabling clinicians to apply microbiome insights to improve human health. Founded in 2018 and based in Chicago, BiomeSense seeks to advance precision medicine by providing end-to-end microbiome measurement and analytics.

FruitVaccine is a company based in Champaign, Illinois, that specializes in the production of fruit-based vaccines aimed at providing immunity against widespread infectious diseases. Founded in 2017, the company focuses on developing noninvasive, orally administered vaccine alternatives. Its products come in various forms, including gummy-like pills, oral drops, and fruit purees, making them accessible and appealing. These vaccines are designed to be natural, vegan-friendly, and environmentally sustainable, distinguishing them from traditional injectable options. FruitVaccine's innovative approach aims to enhance immunization efforts by offering a more palatable and less invasive means of disease prevention.

NUMiX MATERIALS is a water treatment company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying sorbents to remove dissolved heavy metals from contaminated water. It focuses on RCRA, Water, Sorbents, Pretreatment, and Metals. It was founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Cloud services have become ubiquitous to all major 21st century economic activities. However, cloud services and technologies can be significantly more powerful than they are now. A persistent barrier to further advancement has been the lack of a large-scale and open cloud research platforms. With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Chameleon project will provide such a large-scale platform to the open research community allowing them explore transformative concepts in deeply programmable cloud services, design, and core technologies. Chameleon will allow users to explore problems ranging from the creation of Software as a Service to kernel support for virtualization. This broad range of supported research includes many other areas such as developing Platforms as a Service, creating new and optimizing existing Infrastructure as a Service components, investigating software-defined networking, and optimizing virtualization technologies. The Chameleon testbed, will be deployed at the University of Chicago and the Texas Advanced Computing Center and will consist of 650 multi-core cloud nodes, 5PB of total disk space, and leverage 100 Gbps connection between the sites. While a large part of the testbed will consist of homogenous hardware to support large-scale experiments, a portion of it will support heterogeneous units allowing experimentation with high-memory, large-disk, low-power, GPU, and co-processor units. The project will also leverage existing FutureGrid hardware at the University of Chicago and the Texas Advanced Computing Center in its first year to provide a transition period for the existing FutureGrid community of experimental users. To support the broad range of experiments experiments described above, the project will support a graduated configuration system allowing full user configurability of the software stack, from provisioning of bare metal and network interconnects to delivery of fully functioning cloud environments. A special feature of Chameleon is that it provides for an exceptionally close integration of clouds and networks, which substantially enhances the capabilities of both. In addition, to facilitate experiments, Chameleon will support a set of services designed to meet researchers needs, including support for experimental management, reproducibility, and repositories of trace and workload data of production cloud workloads. The project is led by the Computation Institute at the University of Chicago and partners from the Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas at Austin, the International Center for Advanced Internet Research at Northwestern University, the Ohio State University, and University of Texas at San Antonio, comprising a highly qualified and experienced team. The team includes members from the NSF supported FutureGrid project and from the GENI community, both forerunners of the NSFCloud solicitation under which this project is funded. Chameleon will also form a set of partnerships with commercial and academic clouds, such as Rackspace, CERN and Open Science Data Cloud (OSDC), and will partner with other testbeds, notably GENI and INRIA's Grid'5000 testbed.

Founded in 2019, Confluency is an engineering company based in Chicago, Illinois. It specializes in water resource management, offering an AI-based platform that helps water utilities manage complex systems. The platform combines data and advanced algorithms to enhance engineers' productivity through automated processes and data analytics.

EarthSense develops autonomous agricultural robotics and AI software to improve farming productivity and sustainability. Its flagship TerraSentia robot is a compact, teachable platform that integrates on-board computation and multiple sensors for plant phenotyping and field data collection. The company offers an extensible platform that enables data-driven crop development, field scouting, and decision support to address labor shortages, weather variability, and the need to reduce chemical inputs. The platform gathers under-canopy data to support product development, crop research, and precision agriculture, helping growers obtain actionable insights, monitor weed pressures including herbicide resistance, and optimize management practices. EarthSense emphasizes a climate-smart approach by enabling more efficient use of inputs, improving soil and plant health, and facilitating scalable innovation in farming. The company is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Hubly Surgical Inc., established in 2018 with headquarters in San Francisco and a satellite office in Chicago, specializes in developing innovative neurosurgical devices aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and safety. The company's flagship product is an integrated electric drill system designed to replace traditional free-hand cranks, thereby reducing the risk of lethal complications during surgical procedures. Hubly Surgical's mission is to make its safety technology the standard for all medical drilling across various settings, including underserved areas, with a focus on improving patient care and quality of life.

Celadyne Technologies, founded in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in the development of advanced nanocomposite membranes for electrolyzers and fuel cells. These membranes are engineered to facilitate efficient heat and water management, addressing critical challenges in hydrogen production. By incorporating innovative technologies, Celadyne's membranes provide advantages akin to ceramic separators, including reduced hydrogen crossover, while maintaining performance under low humidity and elevated temperature conditions. This design enhances catalyst durability and supports the hydrogen economy by offering a cost-effective solution for energy applications.

EarthSense develops autonomous agricultural robotics and AI software to improve farming productivity and sustainability. Its flagship TerraSentia robot is a compact, teachable platform that integrates on-board computation and multiple sensors for plant phenotyping and field data collection. The company offers an extensible platform that enables data-driven crop development, field scouting, and decision support to address labor shortages, weather variability, and the need to reduce chemical inputs. The platform gathers under-canopy data to support product development, crop research, and precision agriculture, helping growers obtain actionable insights, monitor weed pressures including herbicide resistance, and optimize management practices. EarthSense emphasizes a climate-smart approach by enabling more efficient use of inputs, improving soil and plant health, and facilitating scalable innovation in farming. The company is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Psyonic, Inc. is a company that develops advanced bionic limbs aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals with amputations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Psyonic focuses on creating innovative prosthetic solutions, with its flagship product being an advanced bionic hand. This hand features muscle pattern recognition technology and provides sensory feedback, allowing users to perform everyday tasks with greater ease. Designed to be user-friendly and durable, it is also positioned to be affordable, with aspirations for full insurance coverage to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for users. The company's commitment to accessibility ensures that its products cater to a wide range of needs for those with amputations and injured limbs.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a comprehensive public university located in Edwardsville, Illinois. Initially established as a satellite campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, SIUE has evolved into a significant educational institution, offering over 85 programs of study, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The university is particularly noted for its School of Pharmacy, which features modern facilities and is designed to accommodate the growing demand in the field. The School of Nursing also plays a vital role in the university's academic landscape, with nearly 900 students enrolled in various nursing programs. SIUE emphasizes student engagement through various initiatives, including the Kimmel Leadership Center and the Student Leadership Development Program, which aim to enhance leadership skills and community involvement. Additionally, the university provides extensive financial aid options, including scholarships based on need and merit, to support its diverse student body.

Respondic is a manufacturing company established in 2019 and located in Champaign, Illinois. It specializes in producing innovative smart adhesive products designed to fulfill various fastening needs. The company's adhesives leverage a unique polymer formulation that provides a strong and permanent bond on diverse surfaces, making them suitable for a wide array of applications. Through its commitment to developing robust and reusable adhesive solutions, Respondic aims to enhance the usability and effectiveness of bonding materials across different industries.

FrostDefense, founded in 2018 and based in Champaign, Illinois, specializes in developing innovative frost protection solutions. The company focuses on creating environmentally friendly biofertilizers and patented sprayable compounds designed to combat early spring frost, particularly in vineyards and specialty fruit crops. By offering these frost protection products, FrostDefense aims to help vineyard owners prevent frost damage, thereby enhancing crop yield and improving labor management and mechanized farming operations.

Rhaeos is a pioneering company that has developed the world's first wearable shunt monitor, designed to enhance the quality of care for patients with hydrocephalus. Utilizing a novel thermal biosensor, Rhaeos addresses a critical clinical need by offering noninvasive, wireless patches that detect fluid flow in various bodily systems, including blood, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid. This innovative technology enables timely treatment for chronic medical conditions, particularly in the field of neurosurgery. Founded through collaborative efforts at Northwestern University, Rhaeos exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from engineering, medicine, and management to advance patient care.

NanoPattern Technologies develops photopatternable quantum dot formulations and nanoparticle inks for patterning high-resolution quantum dot downconverter layers, enabling displays for televisions, smartphones, wearables, augmented reality and virtual reality. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company’s direct nanoparticle lithography process is compatible with conventional photolithography and supports parallel patterning, helping manufacturers produce advanced display systems.

CycloPure, Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in polymer adsorbents designed to eliminate micropollutants from water. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Encinitas, California, the company has developed a pioneering approach using cyclodextrin-based polymer adsorbents for water treatment. CycloPure's products cater to a diverse range of clients, including consumer point-of-use product manufacturers, water treatment operators, engineering firms, medical and commercial enterprises, beverage producers, and textile manufacturers. The company also provides water testing kits through online platforms. To support its innovative endeavors, CycloPure operates a research and technology center located in Skokie, Illinois, positioning itself as a leader in the science of targeted micropollutant removal.

Established in 1867, this prestigious university is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and economic impact on the state. With over 3,000 faculty members, it offers a wide range of programs, attracting top students who engage in diverse activities and join global alumni networks.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a comprehensive public university located in Edwardsville, Illinois. Initially established as a satellite campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, SIUE has evolved into a significant educational institution, offering over 85 programs of study, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The university is particularly noted for its School of Pharmacy, which features modern facilities and is designed to accommodate the growing demand in the field. The School of Nursing also plays a vital role in the university's academic landscape, with nearly 900 students enrolled in various nursing programs. SIUE emphasizes student engagement through various initiatives, including the Kimmel Leadership Center and the Student Leadership Development Program, which aim to enhance leadership skills and community involvement. Additionally, the university provides extensive financial aid options, including scholarships based on need and merit, to support its diverse student body.

Elmhurst College, founded in 1871 and located in Elmhurst, Illinois, is a non-profit educational institution affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The college offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs, including liberal arts degrees and professional fields such as accounting, journalism, and healthcare. Elmhurst emphasizes a close-knit learning environment that encourages inquiry and individuality, with students required to take a religion course to foster an understanding of various spiritual ideologies. The college also provides pre-professional programs in areas like law and medicine, along with opportunities for adult education. In addition to its academic offerings, Elmhurst supports a vibrant campus life through cultural organizations, performing arts groups, and numerous clubs. The Elmhurst College Endowment, established in 1989, manages $35 million in assets with a focus on alternative investments, primarily venture capital, aiming for a net internal rate of return of 15% to 20%.

BassInSight develops fishing visual detection technology to estimate the visibility of objects to fish in complex aquatic environments. The company's headquarters are in Champaign, Illinois.

Embedor Technologies specializes in developing wireless sensor systems for monitoring the structural health of civil infrastructure. Its smart sensor platform and software framework enable reliable, real-time assessment of structures' condition, catering to both extreme events and long-term deterioration.

Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 2018, Volexion specializes in manufacturing lithium ion batteries. Its proprietary graphene coating technology enhances conventional lithium-ion batteries, offering clients improved battery life, power performance, and a wider temperature and voltage range.

ClearFlame Engines, Inc. develops and manufactures innovative engines for heavy-duty applications, focusing on decarbonizing the industry by replacing traditional diesel engines. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois, the company serves diverse markets, including marine, agriculture, transportation, power generation, rail, and construction. ClearFlame's patented technology allows heavy-duty engine manufacturers to produce engines that offer higher performance and lower operating costs, providing significant fuel cost savings for their customers. The company's mission is to address the environmental challenges posed by diesel fuel while enhancing engine efficiency and affordability.

CycloPure, Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in polymer adsorbents designed to eliminate micropollutants from water. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Encinitas, California, the company has developed a pioneering approach using cyclodextrin-based polymer adsorbents for water treatment. CycloPure's products cater to a diverse range of clients, including consumer point-of-use product manufacturers, water treatment operators, engineering firms, medical and commercial enterprises, beverage producers, and textile manufacturers. The company also provides water testing kits through online platforms. To support its innovative endeavors, CycloPure operates a research and technology center located in Skokie, Illinois, positioning itself as a leader in the science of targeted micropollutant removal.

Unanimous A.I., Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the development of swarm artificial intelligence software solutions. Founded in 2014, the company offers two primary products: Swarm AI and Swarm Insight. Swarm AI connects users in real-time to form super-intelligent systems that utilize collective human input, enhancing decision-making and predictive capabilities across various applications, including sales, marketing, and finance. Swarm Insight, a subscription service, enables organizations to gather and analyze the thoughts and opinions of consumer populations, providing more nuanced market intelligence compared to traditional methods such as surveys and focus groups. By merging human insights with AI algorithms, Unanimous A.I. creates dynamic systems that amplify the intelligence of groups, facilitating more accurate forecasts and optimized decisions.

Psyonic, Inc. is a company that develops advanced bionic limbs aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals with amputations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Psyonic focuses on creating innovative prosthetic solutions, with its flagship product being an advanced bionic hand. This hand features muscle pattern recognition technology and provides sensory feedback, allowing users to perform everyday tasks with greater ease. Designed to be user-friendly and durable, it is also positioned to be affordable, with aspirations for full insurance coverage to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for users. The company's commitment to accessibility ensures that its products cater to a wide range of needs for those with amputations and injured limbs.

ForgeWorks is a company based in Evanston, Illinois, founded in 2015. It specializes in creating a digital solution platform tailored for civic innovators, allowing them to design effective systems for addressing real-world challenges. The platform integrates human-centered design, educational design research, and agile software development, empowering users to rapidly develop innovative ideas. By leveraging advanced academic insights and user research, ForgeWorks enables civic innovators to tackle pressing issues in their communities.

Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 2017, AreteLabs develops an online platform hosting intra-district math competitions. Its educational software fosters teamwork and knowledge sharing among students and teachers.

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.

Inspirit IoT develops sensor intelligence analytics and machine learning software for IoT devices. The company offers tools such as Xcelo Compiler, SoundGuardian, and DNN Architect to accelerate ML performance on diverse IoT hardware through chip-agnostic high-level synthesis and hardware accelerator technology, enabling customers to deploy efficient sensor-enabled solutions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

ALcorix is a consulting company that specializes in micro-optics prototyping. The company was founded by Nicolaie Moldovan in 2014 and is based in Plainfield, Illinois.

Petronics is a company that develops robotic pets specifically designed for cats. Founded in 2014 and based in Champaign, Illinois, it offers a flagship product called Mousr, a robotic toy that features 360-degree vision, environmental sensing, and Bluetooth connectivity. These innovative products aim to engage indoor cats in play that mimics hunting behavior, promoting physical activity and helping to reduce obesity in pets. Through its advanced technology, Petronics seeks to enhance the interaction between cats and their owners while providing a stimulating environment for feline companions.

EarthSense develops autonomous agricultural robotics and AI software to improve farming productivity and sustainability. Its flagship TerraSentia robot is a compact, teachable platform that integrates on-board computation and multiple sensors for plant phenotyping and field data collection. The company offers an extensible platform that enables data-driven crop development, field scouting, and decision support to address labor shortages, weather variability, and the need to reduce chemical inputs. The platform gathers under-canopy data to support product development, crop research, and precision agriculture, helping growers obtain actionable insights, monitor weed pressures including herbicide resistance, and optimize management practices. EarthSense emphasizes a climate-smart approach by enabling more efficient use of inputs, improving soil and plant health, and facilitating scalable innovation in farming. The company is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Reconstruct offers predictive computer vision data analytics software for construction projects. Its platform manages data collection from drones, fixed cameras, or mobile devices, visualizes images aligned with BIM models, and reports risk locations to enable proactive planning. Founded in 2016, Reconstruct is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

Founded in 2016, Amber Agriculture develops IoT-based sensor solutions for automated grain storage monitoring and management. Its technology helps farmers protect and optimize their crops, reducing waste and enabling better market timing.

O2M Technologies develops oxygen imaging devices for effective cancer and regenerative medicine treatments. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Iria Pharma develops cancer targeting and drug delivery technology to provide a platform for targeted cancer therapeutics. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Psyonic, Inc. is a company that develops advanced bionic limbs aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals with amputations. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Psyonic focuses on creating innovative prosthetic solutions, with its flagship product being an advanced bionic hand. This hand features muscle pattern recognition technology and provides sensory feedback, allowing users to perform everyday tasks with greater ease. Designed to be user-friendly and durable, it is also positioned to be affordable, with aspirations for full insurance coverage to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for users. The company's commitment to accessibility ensures that its products cater to a wide range of needs for those with amputations and injured limbs.

Innoblative Designs, Inc. is a medical device company based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Established in 2013, the company specializes in the development of innovative electrosurgical devices aimed at enhancing surgical procedures. One of its key products is Sira™, a Saline-assisted Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation device. This device utilizes bipolar current to create a controlled zone of ablation during surgery, facilitating the coagulation and ablation of soft tissue beds. Sira's unique design features a saline microinfusion system that ensures optimal contact with target tissue, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated with existing electrosurgical generators in operating rooms. This makes Sira an accessible and effective option for surgeons seeking to improve intraoperative ablation techniques.

ClearFlame Engines, Inc. develops and manufactures innovative engines for heavy-duty applications, focusing on decarbonizing the industry by replacing traditional diesel engines. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois, the company serves diverse markets, including marine, agriculture, transportation, power generation, rail, and construction. ClearFlame's patented technology allows heavy-duty engine manufacturers to produce engines that offer higher performance and lower operating costs, providing significant fuel cost savings for their customers. The company's mission is to address the environmental challenges posed by diesel fuel while enhancing engine efficiency and affordability.

CycloPure, Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in polymer adsorbents designed to eliminate micropollutants from water. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Encinitas, California, the company has developed a pioneering approach using cyclodextrin-based polymer adsorbents for water treatment. CycloPure's products cater to a diverse range of clients, including consumer point-of-use product manufacturers, water treatment operators, engineering firms, medical and commercial enterprises, beverage producers, and textile manufacturers. The company also provides water testing kits through online platforms. To support its innovative endeavors, CycloPure operates a research and technology center located in Skokie, Illinois, positioning itself as a leader in the science of targeted micropollutant removal.

Runtime Vеrification is a dynamic software analysis technique to automatically detect bugs and errors in a software system. Founded in 2010, Runtime Vеrification is headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, United States.

Inspirit IoT develops sensor intelligence analytics and machine learning software for IoT devices. The company offers tools such as Xcelo Compiler, SoundGuardian, and DNN Architect to accelerate ML performance on diverse IoT hardware through chip-agnostic high-level synthesis and hardware accelerator technology, enabling customers to deploy efficient sensor-enabled solutions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

Navipoint Genomics is a bioinformatics analysis software developer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and founded in 2015. The company specializes in the analysis of entire human genomes, providing tools that enhance the speed and efficiency of large-scale genomic analysis. Its software facilitates the transfer and examination of full human genomes, significantly reducing analysis time. Additionally, Navipoint Genomics develops a pipeline that enables the investigation of gene expression changes and the detection of fusion transcripts at the whole-transcriptome level. This capability allows clients to achieve improved reporting quality, characterized by high confidence values and fewer false negatives in their genomic analyses.

ALcorix is a consulting company that specializes in micro-optics prototyping. The company was founded by Nicolaie Moldovan in 2014 and is based in Plainfield, Illinois.

Innoblative Designs, Inc. is a medical device company based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Established in 2013, the company specializes in the development of innovative electrosurgical devices aimed at enhancing surgical procedures. One of its key products is Sira™, a Saline-assisted Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation device. This device utilizes bipolar current to create a controlled zone of ablation during surgery, facilitating the coagulation and ablation of soft tissue beds. Sira's unique design features a saline microinfusion system that ensures optimal contact with target tissue, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated with existing electrosurgical generators in operating rooms. This makes Sira an accessible and effective option for surgeons seeking to improve intraoperative ablation techniques.

Petronics is a company that develops robotic pets specifically designed for cats. Founded in 2014 and based in Champaign, Illinois, it offers a flagship product called Mousr, a robotic toy that features 360-degree vision, environmental sensing, and Bluetooth connectivity. These innovative products aim to engage indoor cats in play that mimics hunting behavior, promoting physical activity and helping to reduce obesity in pets. Through its advanced technology, Petronics seeks to enhance the interaction between cats and their owners while providing a stimulating environment for feline companions.

OceanComm is a Champaign, Illinois based company that develops wireless underwater modems capable of video transmission and remote control of underwater vehicles. The modems enable wireless video streaming underwater and remote operation for subsea applications, using signal processing to maximize the limited acoustic bandwidth and maintain live, uninterrupted video links as assets move through the water column, enabling subsea industries to adopt wireless video streaming and control in challenging underwater environments.

Autonomic Materials, Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in self-healing solutions for the coatings industry, primarily focusing on corrosion-resistant chemicals that repair coating damage at the micron level. Founded in 2005 and based in Champaign, Illinois, the company offers a range of microencapsulated additives, including dual capsule systems and single capsule systems, designed for various applications. These products provide essential protection for materials such as metals, wood, concrete, plastics, and composites, and are utilized across multiple sectors, including alternative energy, industrial maintenance, military equipment, infrastructure, oil and gas, transportation, and consumer paints. Autonomic Materials' innovative solutions enable coatings, adhesives, and composites to respond to damage automatically, enhancing the durability and performance of structures like cars, bridges, and ships.

PhotoniCare is a medical device company that develops ear-diagnosis devices using light-based technology to see through the eardrum into the middle ear, enabling clinicians to visualize the contents and determine whether antibiotics or surgical interventions are needed. Its flagship device, TOMi Scope, uses near-infrared light to provide views beyond the eardrum and support assessment through optical coherence imaging. The company's imaging platform aims to extend its applications beyond otology and improve clinical decision-making in middle-ear infections. PhotoniCare was founded in 2013 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Rithmio, Inc. is a company specializing in gesture recognition technology, offering a software platform that enables product teams to develop accurate and personalized gesture-based applications. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Rithmio's platform integrates with motion-sensing devices, including wearables, smartphones, and connected sports equipment, to learn, track, and analyze user movements in real time. Its flagship product, Constellation, supports the creation of next-generation wearables and connected clothing, facilitating partnerships with leading semiconductor companies and consumer electronics manufacturers. These collaborations allow Rithmio's technology to be embedded at the System on Chip or reference design level, enhancing the functionality of various devices in the market.

Soil Diagnostics develops a scalable soil nitrogen measurement system to aid in nitrogen fertilizer management. The company's headquarters are in Champaign, Illinois.

Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 2017, AreteLabs develops an online platform hosting intra-district math competitions. Its educational software fosters teamwork and knowledge sharing among students and teachers.

Network Perception, Inc. is a technology company specializing in network device configuration analysis software to enhance network management and security. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers tools for firewall auditing and continuous monitoring, enabling corporate compliance and cybersecurity managers to visualize their network effectively. Its platform automates the analysis of network device configuration files, providing comprehensive audits and assessments that help organizations ensure their configurations align with best practices and regulatory standards. By delivering these innovative solutions, Network Perception assists businesses in managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and maintaining compliance within their network environments.

Electroninks is a technology company founded in 2013 as a spin‑out from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign. The company specializes in developing particle‑free conductive, dielectric, and resistor inks for printed electronics. Its formulations rely on pure metallic films derived from small‑molecule chemistries, enabling high‑resolution printing with digital and roll‑to‑roll processes. The inks can be annealed at low temperatures and outperform conventional nanoparticle technologies in performance and reliability. Electroninks supplies these inks for additive manufacturing in advanced semiconductor packaging, displays, passive electronics, and related markets, helping customers improve device performance while reducing manufacturing costs.

Runtime Vеrification is a dynamic software analysis technique to automatically detect bugs and errors in a software system. Founded in 2010, Runtime Vеrification is headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, United States.

ExplORer Surgical Corp. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in developing an interactive surgical playbook aimed at enhancing teamwork and efficiency in operating rooms. Founded in 2013, the company offers a software solution that allows healthcare providers to optimize surgical workflows, customize processes based on patient needs and surgeon preferences, and track case progression in real time. This tool facilitates improved communication among surgical teams, enabling them to coordinate activities and manage tools and supplies effectively, ultimately reducing disruptions and waste. Additionally, ExplORer Surgical provides administrators with valuable performance and scheduling data to enhance the quality of care. The company's innovative approach not only supports surgical teams but also assists medical device companies in the efficient rollout of new devices and improves medical education.

BallotReady is an online, non-partisan voter guide for local elections that aggregates content from candidate websites, League of Women Voters questionnaires, news articles, campaign finance records, and legislative roll calls to provide nonpartisan background information on every candidate and referendum on a voter's ballot. The platform enables users to compare all candidates on their ballot, obtain essential information needed in the voting booth, and save selected candidates to a mobile device for offline review. It supports civic engagement by offering data services and digital tools that help voters understand their entire ballot and make informed choices.

ANDalyze, Inc. is a company based in Champaign, Illinois, that specializes in developing innovative products for testing water contamination through catalytic DNA technologies. The company's offerings include the AND1100 Fluorimeter, a portable device designed for the rapid testing of heavy metals in water supplies, along with fluorescence-based sensors and kits. These products enable simple, fast, and cost-effective detection of trace metals and other chemicals, significantly reducing the time and expense associated with traditional testing methods. ANDalyze distributes its products both in the United States and internationally, providing solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of water quality testing. Formerly known as Dzyme Tech, the company rebranded to ANDalyze, Inc. in October 2009 and has been operational since its incorporation in 2005.

OceanComm is a Champaign, Illinois based company that develops wireless underwater modems capable of video transmission and remote control of underwater vehicles. The modems enable wireless video streaming underwater and remote operation for subsea applications, using signal processing to maximize the limited acoustic bandwidth and maintain live, uninterrupted video links as assets move through the water column, enabling subsea industries to adopt wireless video streaming and control in challenging underwater environments.

Nature's Fynd is a food company that specializes in producing protein from extremophile organisms discovered in geothermal springs. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Bozeman, Montana, the company employs innovative fermentation technology to cultivate its protein. This method significantly reduces the land and water resources typically required for traditional agriculture. Nature's Fynd aims to create foods that not only nourish people but also promote environmental sustainability.

Sunstrand designs and manufactures technology-based components for its clients. It was founded in 1926 and is based in Illinois.

Network Perception, Inc. is a technology company specializing in network device configuration analysis software to enhance network management and security. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers tools for firewall auditing and continuous monitoring, enabling corporate compliance and cybersecurity managers to visualize their network effectively. Its platform automates the analysis of network device configuration files, providing comprehensive audits and assessments that help organizations ensure their configurations align with best practices and regulatory standards. By delivering these innovative solutions, Network Perception assists businesses in managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and maintaining compliance within their network environments.

Electroninks is a technology company founded in 2013 as a spin‑out from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign. The company specializes in developing particle‑free conductive, dielectric, and resistor inks for printed electronics. Its formulations rely on pure metallic films derived from small‑molecule chemistries, enabling high‑resolution printing with digital and roll‑to‑roll processes. The inks can be annealed at low temperatures and outperform conventional nanoparticle technologies in performance and reliability. Electroninks supplies these inks for additive manufacturing in advanced semiconductor packaging, displays, passive electronics, and related markets, helping customers improve device performance while reducing manufacturing costs.

Phi Optics Inc. develops optical imaging systems for life sciences, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor testing applications. It offers Quantitative Phase Imaging, a label-free, non-contact, and non-invasive imaging method for measuring nanoscale structures and dynamics via interferometry. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

LimoLink, Inc. is a provider of ground chauffeured services, specializing in private aviation, executive travel, meetings, events, roadshows, and travel agencies. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Marion, Iowa, the company maintains additional account management offices in major cities including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and London. LimoLink aims to deliver a reliable and consistent worldwide solution for chauffeured ground transportation, enhanced by dedicated account management, reservation management, and advanced technology.

Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

GlucoSentient, Inc. is a company that specializes in the development of personal glucose meters aimed at diabetes patients worldwide. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, the company focuses on creating devices that not only monitor blood glucose levels but also have applications in therapeutic drug and heart health monitoring. In addition to glucose meters, GlucoSentient produces test strips that can detect trace contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and chemical residues in food. By providing convenient and quantitative monitoring solutions, GlucoSentient enables healthcare providers to make timely medical decisions, enhancing patient care and safety.

Tanvas develops Surface Haptics technology for touchscreens, creating variable friction using electrostatic fields. This enables users to feel what they see on a screen, enhancing interaction beyond visual and vibration feedback.

Arphion creates non-invasive diagnostics for oral cancers and other benign diseases. They utilize miRNA markers from cheek swabs to diagnose oral squamous cell carcinomas. Arphion provides its clients with tests as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) through a CLIA-certified laboratory to market their products without submission to the FDA for approval or clearance. Arphion was founded by Dr. Guy Adami, Ph.D. in Illinois, United States.

Serionix, Inc. is a research and development company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in air and water purification solutions. Founded in 2011, the company focuses on creating innovative materials, including filters for air purifiers and furnace units. Serionix employs a proprietary adsorptive coating technology known as Colorfil™, which not only effectively removes toxic chemicals and odors from the air but also changes color to indicate filter performance and the need for replacement. In addition to enhancing air quality, the company's filters are designed to kill viruses, bacteria, and mold, providing comprehensive purification solutions for residential and commercial environments.

Nature's Fynd is a food company that specializes in producing protein from extremophile organisms discovered in geothermal springs. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Bozeman, Montana, the company employs innovative fermentation technology to cultivate its protein. This method significantly reduces the land and water resources typically required for traditional agriculture. Nature's Fynd aims to create foods that not only nourish people but also promote environmental sustainability.

Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Phi Optics Inc. develops optical imaging systems for life sciences, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor testing applications. It offers Quantitative Phase Imaging, a label-free, non-contact, and non-invasive imaging method for measuring nanoscale structures and dynamics via interferometry. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Tanvas develops Surface Haptics technology for touchscreens, creating variable friction using electrostatic fields. This enables users to feel what they see on a screen, enhancing interaction beyond visual and vibration feedback.

GlucoSentient, Inc. is a company that specializes in the development of personal glucose meters aimed at diabetes patients worldwide. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, the company focuses on creating devices that not only monitor blood glucose levels but also have applications in therapeutic drug and heart health monitoring. In addition to glucose meters, GlucoSentient produces test strips that can detect trace contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and chemical residues in food. By providing convenient and quantitative monitoring solutions, GlucoSentient enables healthcare providers to make timely medical decisions, enhancing patient care and safety.