SIU Carbondale Spin-Out Company Receives $4.6 Million Venture Capital Investment

Carbondale, Illinois, August 23, 2011 – Enki Technology, Inc., a Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)-based start-up company developing advanced materials to substantially improve the light absorption capabilities and performance of solar panels, recently announced the closing of a substantial round of venture capital funding totaling $4.6 million.

Google’s plans for Motorola Mobility shine a light on Chicago’s tech culture

Not every day does Google drop $12.5 billion in Chicago. But Monday’s disclosure that the search behemoth wants to acquire one of the Chicago area’s two Motorolas is, on the surface, one more acknowledgment that this metropolis has matured into a proven habitat for tech imagination and employment.

Baxter Ventures will invest $200 million in early-stage companies

Baxter International Inc. put aside $200 million in equity to invest in early-stage companies that “complement” its portfolio. The newly established ” Baxter Ventures will invest globally and focus on innovative technologies with sustainable long-term growth” under the watch of the Deerfield, Ill.-based company’s chief scientific officer Norbert Riedel, according to a press release.

To Build a Better Grid

The Smart Grid is about more than just Jeju; it is a strategic investment. South Korea is betting that making progress in combining smart technology and green energy in one ecosystem will allow it to build larger grids for cities. The national government — and its private partners — are also hoping that they will [...]

Quinn signs bills to boost Illinois technology sector

Gov. Pat Quinn signed Monday two pieces of legislation to bolster Illinois’ technology sector and startup companies. “We’ve got to really roll up our sleeves and use technology to create jobs for today and tomorrow,” Quinn said at the signing, flanked by legislators and other members of the local technology community.

NanoProfessor Nanoscience Education Program Launches in Asia-Pacific Region

SKOKIE, Ill. – July 25, 2011 – NanoProfessor®, a division of NanoInk®, Inc. focused on nanotechnology education, announced today that it has formally engaged NanoGlobe Pte. Ltd. as a strategic business partner in promoting the comprehensive and cutting-edge NanoProfessor Nanoscience Education Program in the Asia-Pacific region.

Walgreens to add electric vehicle charging stations to 800 U.S. stores

Walgreen Co. said Thursday it plans to have electric vehicle charging stations at roughly 800 of its drugstores nationwide by year-end. In the Chicago area, the Deerfield-based drugstore chain was the first retail partner announced for an $8.9 million public charging infrastructure rollout headed by 350Green LLC of California. Walgreens is planning to install about [...]

2011 CLEAN ENERGY CHALLENGE WINNER RECEIVES $7 MILLION IN VENTURE FUNDING

Clean Urban Energy Will Integrate Building Operations with Energy Markets, Expand Business to Top U.S. Cities Chicago – July 21, 2011 – The Clean Energy Trust today congratulated Clean Urban Energy, the winner of the inaugural Clean Energy Challenge, for securing $7 million in Series A funding from two renowned venture capital funds, Battery Technology [...]

Nissan Leaf cruises into Illinois early

The first wave of consumers in Illinois will able to order the Nissan Leaf July 25, earlier than the automaker planned, and the first time that Chicagoans will be able to buy mass-marketed vehicles that run without gasoline at their local auto dealers. The state has invested heavily in stations that can charge an electric [...]

How a Tech Start Up Helped Give Illinois More Power