The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is convening its third annual summit on agriculture technology innovation and opportunities for entrepreneurship on Feb. 28 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign. 

Creating, developing and building connections among entrepreneurs, industry and growers is a key component to implementing innovation in agriculture. This event will feature speakers from industry, investors in agriculture, researchers and examples of ag entrepreneurship.

The one-day program will include keynote speakers, panel discussions and a lunch program. The event is co-hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park, the Office of Corporate Relations, and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

An opening reception will be Feb. 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at EnterpriseWorks, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign. The reception is free to attend and open to the entire community.

Anyone who is interested in issues surrounding innovation, entrepreneurship or commercialization of research is encouraged to attend any portion of this event.

Registration is free and now open, but it is required. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the event will conclude at 4 p.m.

Here’s a look at the agenda:

FEB. 27
8 a.m.-12 p.m. USDA SBIR Workshop (free, but separate registration required)
5:30-7 p.m. Opening reception (open to all, regardless of registration)

FEB. 28
8 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
8:30 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
8:45 a.m. Morning keynote
9:20 a.m. “The Landscape of Investment in AgTech”
10:20 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. “Plan, Plant, Spray, Harvest, Till: Growers Talk Back”
11:30 a.m. “Disruptive AgTech Startups”
12:30 p.m. Lunch buffet                          
12:50 p.m. Moore Innovation Prize Presentation
1 p.m. Lunchtime fireside chat
1:30 p.m. Break
1:45 p.m. “Behind the Curtain: How Companies Evaluate Technology”
2:50 p.m. “IoT and the Future of Farming”
3:50 p.m. Wrap-up and closing remarks

Source: University of Illinois