Contact:
Taylor Meredith
Communications Manager, iFAB Tech Hub
tmmered@illinois.edu
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois. (February 24, 2025) – The inaugural Biomanufacturing Summit hosted by the iFAB Tech Hub will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Parkland College’s AGCO Training Center.
Strategically aligned during the 7th Annual Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, the iFAB Biomanufacturing Summit will emphasize the growing landscape of biomanufacturing and precision fermentation through panels, fireside chats, and innovation showcases.
“As part of our annual Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, we’re thrilled to welcome hundreds of biomanufacturing industry partners and stakeholders to our inaugural summit,” stated Carly McCrory-McKay, Chief Partnerships Officer for the iFAB Tech Hub. “This event will highlight the critical role biomanufacturing and precision fermentation play in driving economic growth, strengthening domestic supply chains, and creating high-quality jobs. By bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers, this summit reinforces iFAB’s commitment to leading the next era of U.S. biomanufacturing from the heart of Central Illinois.”
Over 250 registrants will explore how precision fermentation, bioprocessing, and agricultural innovation intersect to strengthen national security, drive economic growth, and increase domestic manufacturing capacity.
“We are excited to showcase iFAB’s activity over the last year and a half,” stated Beth Conerty, Regional Innovation Officer for the iFAB Tech Hub. “This region is proving itself to be an ideal destination for manufacturing of fermentation technologies. The agenda has been structured to shine a light on this region’s strength and role in the biomanufacturing economy.”
The summit will feature fireside chats with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, Mark Denzler (Illinois Manufacturers’ Association), Kris Lutt (ADM), Kelsey Weimer (Roebling), Jeff Carey (Brenntag), Elizabeth Gichana (Illinois EDC), and more.
“Biomanufacturing facilities like iFAB highlight the shared connection between our state’s proud legacy of manufacturing and agriculture, leveraging new technologies to develop products that will move our state and society forward,” stated Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We’re proud to support iFAB as they lead the way in this new and emerging manufacturing space and look forward to the continued growth of biomanufacturing throughout Illinois.”
The summit will also feature panel discussions throughout the day covering the following topics:
- Building the Future of Biomanufacturing Facilities – The Realities of Getting U.S. Products to Scale
- Prioritizing Biotechnology at the National Level – How to Compete and Win for National Security and Economic Resilience
- Food Ingredients through Precision Fermentation – Creating Sustainable, Scalable, and Clean-label Ingredient Solutions
- Domestically Manufactured Products – Transforming Inputs into Products for Commercial Applications
- Developing and Sustaining the Domestic Biomanufacturing Talent of the Future
A full agenda can be found online here, which includes the announcement of the Kraft Heinz Innovation Challenger winner at 12:15 PM.
“iFAB has built an ecosystem connecting every element needed for a biomanufacturing technology to succeed,” states Ismael Nieves, General Manager for iPROOF. “For startup companies, reaching full‑scale manufacturing independently is a significant challenge. Our iPROOF facility was created to meet that challenge, allowing innovators to prove and scale their ideas. Together, we help streamline the complete journey throughout the lab, pilot, demonstration, and full-scale manufacturing stages.”
This event is made possible through the generosity of our many sponsors.
Presenting Sponsors
ADM, Ameren Illinois, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, City of Champaign, City of Decatur, Clayco, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, iFAB Tech Hub, Illinois EDC, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, IMEC Illinois, Kraft Heinz, Parkland College, Primient
Partner Sponsors
eppendorf, O’Shea Builders
Supporting Sponsors
Black & Veatch, Corteva Agriscience, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, IKA, J.P Morgan, Merrick & Company, Next Rung Technology, Procelys by Lesaffre, Roebling, Tetra Pak, UA Local 149
Startup Sponsors
Aura Life Science, Boston Bioprocess, General Biological, Kivi Bio, microhoma, Midwest Bioprocessing Center, MelaZyme, miibio, Oleo, Opera Bioscience, Solaris Biotech
Community Support Sponsors
The Atkins Group, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, DCI Inc., East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council, VWR
As part of the broader Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week programming, March 9-13, 2026, iFAB members and strategic partners are hosting events and facility tours. Event details and registration links can be found here.
For more information about the 2026 iFAB Biomanufacturing Summit, visit https://ifabtechhub.org/event/2026-ifab-biomanufacturing-summit.
