March 9, 2026

Join the Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) on March 9, 2026, for our annual conference!

This year’s theme, Generative AI (GenAI) in Agriculture, spotlights how cutting-edge AI technologies are transforming the future of farming. From boosting productivity and sustainability to tackling challenges in crop phenotyping and pest management, GenAI tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) are unlocking groundbreaking possibilities across the agricultural landscape.

Discover how GenAI is redefining what’s possible in agriculture through insights from leading experts in industry and academia. Explore how innovation, efficiency, and impact converge as we shape the next era of digital agriculture together.

Registration is required.

March 9, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM & 1 PM - 4 PM

In collaboration with CU AgTech Week, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) is excited to offer a Precision Fermentation workshop at IBRL’s Pilot Plant facility. This workshop is intended for those new to fermentation and will include an overview of the fermentation industry, the precision fermentation process from beginning to end, and an in-depth walkthrough of our working pilot plant.  

Each session (AM and PM) is capped at 25 participants. 

Registration is required.

March 9, 2026

1 PM - 7 PM

Join us on March 9, 2026, for an interactive investor event designed to stress-test venture theses and sharpen fund management through experience—not slides.

This year’s program features Venture Games, a game-based simulation that compresses an entire venture fund lifecycle into a single afternoon. Participants operate as fund managers, deploying capital, managing reserves, and making follow-on decisions as market signals emerge and conditions shift over time.

The afternoon concludes with a facilitated debrief and cocktail reception. For more information, contact Jack Marck at jack@serraventures.com.

This is an invite-only event.

March 9, 2026

3 PM - 4 PM

Join us for a special EnterpriseWorks tour during Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, held before the AgTech Week Happy Hour.

Whether you're visiting for AgTech Week or are local to the community, you're welcome to join 30-minute tours of the EnterpriseWorks incubator. Led by staff of the University of Illinois Research Park, you will learn about what goes on at the incubator, entrepreneurship resources, networking opportunities, and ways to get involved in the Research Park more broadly - especially with an agtech lens. The tour will leave you with a greater understanding of what EnterpriseWorks and the Research Park has to offer before connecting with the AgTech community at the happy hour.

No registration is required.

March 9, 2026

3 PM - 5 PM

The Plant Biology Innovation Greenhouse is a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus that supports Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) research. Opened in 2024, the facility is home to a high-throughput phenotyping system and walk-in growth rooms that features the stable isotope labeling facility. The energy-efficient facility also features a solar array made possible by generous support from the Student Sustainability Committee at Illinois.

Please join us for the Open House on March 9, 2026 from 3 PM - 5 PM. Tour the facilities, meet the researchers, and learn about CABBI's work supporting the bioeconomy.

Registration is required.

March 9, 2026

4 PM - 6 PM

Join us on Monday, March 9, from 4 to 6 PM at EnterpriseWorks for a networking social celebrating Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week! This event is hosted by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and University of Illinois Research Park. Local brews will be available.

No registration is required.

March 10, 2026

Join us to explore how technology solutions are addressing some of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today – and learn about what is on the horizon.

This year's agenda tackles the challenges and innovations shaping agriculture's future: sustainable aviation fuel, AI applications, and emerging opportunities transforming the industry.

Registration is required.

March 10, 2026

Returning for its second year, the Startup World Cup — Agriculture and Food Regional gives 10 entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their ideas at the 2026 AgTech Summit. The regional champion will then advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale and compete for a $1 million investment.

The deadline for application submission is February 8, 2026.

Registration is required.

March 11, 2026

8 AM - 6:30 PM

Join the iFAB Tech Hub for an all-day summit focused on biomanufacturing and precision fermentation! Through dynamic panels, innovation showcases, and networking opportunities, participants will explore how precision fermentation, bioprocessing, and agricultural innovation intersect to strengthen national security, drive economic growth, and increase domestic manufacturing capacity.

Registration is required.

March 11, 2026

6 PM - 8 PM

The Champaign-Urbana Tech CEO and Founder Roundtable is an invitation only dinner event during Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week. This quarter will recognize local founders of AgTech companies as part of the week’s celebration of ecosystem. The University of Illinois Research Park, LLC hosts a CEO + Founders Roundtable for local technology company leaders to network and discuss the development of their small businesses. The event features a networking dinner to exchange information, learn best practices, and discuss opportunities. It serves as a quarterly forum as an opportunity for peer-to-peer business dialogue among technology business leaders in Champaign County.

In the theme of agriculture technology, we are pleased to be joined by Naira Hovakimyan, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Intelinair.

This event is exclusive for tech company founders and CEOs with companies located in Champaign County. If you are an investor interested in attending as a guest for AgTech Week, please contact Laura Appenzeller at lfrerich@illinois.edu.

This is an invite-only event. Registration is required.

March 12, 2026

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL) is a product research and development facility that bridges the gap from basic discovery to commercialization of bioproducts. IBRL serves as an invaluable asset to bioenergy, bioprocessing, and food science companies by partnering them with the human and equipment capabilities of the university. IBRL provides lab and pilot plants 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.

Four tours are available – each 30 minutes: 8:30 AM, 9 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10:00 AM.

Registration is required.

March 12, 2026

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Boston Bioprocess is a one-stop shop from development to scale up and manufacturing for biotech companies. The company provides full-suite fermentation and downstream processing services, guided by a proprietary LIMS system and custom AI tools for biomanufacturing.

‍ ‍The company was founded in Boston in 2022 and moved its headquarters to Champaign-Urbana in 2023. Its offices are located at EnterpriseWorks in University of Illinois Research Park, while the pilot work is located at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Pilot Processing Plant.

Four tours are available – each 30 minutes: 8:30 AM, 9 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10:00 AM.

‍Registration is required.

March 12, 2026

8:30 AM - 10 AM

The NSF Illinois Biofoundry (iBioFoundry) is dedicated to developing new capabilities for biofoundries through an integrated and synergistic in-house research program and community-engaged user program and providing the broader research community with unrestricted access to the research resources, training, and education activities developed in the center. The iBioFoundry aims to develop an advanced biofoundry facility, a first-of-its-kind addition to the nation’s research infrastructure, poised to deliver a powerful impact on the U.S. research community.

The iBioFoundry combines AI and robotics to enhance and accelerate the use of synthetic biology. Visit their newly commissioned laboratory space with their high-throughput synthetic biology robotics!

Three tours are available - each 30 minutes: 8:30AM, 9AM, and 9:30 AM.

Registration is required.

March 12, 2026

8:45 AM - 1:15 PM

This free hands-on workshop is designed for high school students interested in Agriculture and Diesel Technology! Participants will learn about Parkland College's Ag Technology programs, visit lab spaces, see high-tech equipment, and meet with industry employers. Programs highlighted include AGCO, Horticulture, Diesel Technology, Case New Holland, and more. 

This is an invite-only event. Registration is required.

March 12, 2026

11 AM - 12 PM & 1 PM - 2 PM

Visit Earnest Agriculture at their HQ in Rantoul, IL! Earnest Agriculture develops AI-designed microbial farm inputs that help farmers improve crop performance, resilience, and soil health. Their first product, Prairie Power Soybean, is field-proven and built to deliver clear ROI per acre.

Two tours are available – each 60 minutes.

Registration is required.