CHICAGO, Ill. (WSIL) -- A local establishment was awarded more than $70,000 in grants in connection to some innovation development projects.
It's part of a $2.3 million innovation voucher grants awarded which were announced by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday.
This grant funding will support research and development projects with universities.
A total of 35 awards were announced through the program. One of those was for Thermaquatica in Carbondale through SIU. They were awarded $74,975.
“Through this grant program, we’re strengthening Illinois� global status as an innovation hub and driving small business growth statewide,� said Governor JB Pritzker. “By partnering with our higher education institutions, these small businesses will transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible products and services. As we continue to support innovative research and development projects statewide, I encourage all eligible entities to apply for the second round of funding.�
“The Innovation Voucher Grant program is bringing the best of Illinois together: our innovative small businesses and our higher education institutions,� said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “These projects will propel ideas into reality, from medical devices to farm technology to clean energy solutions. Fostering innovation is an investment in the workforce of the future.�
 Here is a breakdown for those awarded grants...
Grantee | City | Award Amount | University Partner | Industry / Project Theme |
Amphix Bio, Inc | Chicago | $74,813.00 | Northwestern University | Life sciences and Health care |
Arete Biosciences, Inc. | Chicago | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Life Sciences |
Ball Photonics | Springfield | $71,040.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Transportation and Logistics |
BioAerium Technologies LLC | Chicago | $74,363.27 | University of Illinois Chicago | Animal |
Cache Energy | Champaign | $74,986.60 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Energy |
Cast21, Inc. | Chicago | $74,999.67 | University of Illinois Chicago | Manufacturing / Med Tech |
CRS Enviromask LLC | Lebanon | $33,000.00 | ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois University - Edwardsville | Respiratory Equipment |
Dimension Inx Corp | Chicago | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Biotechnology |
Earnest Agriculture | Rantoul | $64,286.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Agribusiness and Agtech |
Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc | Champaign | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Engineering Services and Research & Development |
Eleuthra Photonics Inc. | Champaign | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Med Tech |
ENCUE Inc 2 | Evanston | $74,872.00 | Northwestern University | Biotech |
Frakktal, Inc | Lemont | $50,375.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Agribusiness and Agtech |
GenomicMD, Inc | Chicago | $75,000.00 | Rush University | Health care |
Grow Nutrition, LLC | Peoria | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | FemTech |
Humn Inc. | Chicago | $64,815.48 | Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) | Manufacturing |
Hydrosome Labs, LLC. | Westmont | $71,162.06 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Fermentation and Cosmetic |
Insigna Inc. | Champaign | $74,996.08 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Agribusiness and Agtech |
Lumbridge | Naperville | $74,740.54 | University of Illinois Chicago | AI |
NanoPattern Technologies, Inc. | Chicago | $74,998.56 | University of Illinois Chicago | Semiconductor |
NET Energy | Chicago | $74,625.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Energy |
REACH Pathways L3C | Chicago | $74,107.81 | Columbia College | Information Technology |
Sandbox Carbon Inc. | Chicago | $62,186.06 | Northwestern University | Waste Management |
ShotHawk LLC | Washington | $75,000.00 | Bradley University | Technology |
SMA CORES, Inc. | Champaign | $74,974.00 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Transportation and Logistics |
StrengthsBase, LLC | Springfield | $53,511.09 | Northeastern Illinois University | Educational Support Services |
TearDx, LLC | Urbana | $46,630.68 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Life sciences and Health care |
Thera Vision Inc | Chicago | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Life |
Thermaquatica Inc. | Carbondale | $74,975.00 | ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois University - Carbondale | Agribusiness and Agtech |
T-Sale Metals | Chicago | $74,944.55 | Northeastern Illinois University | Commodities |
VALQARI, LLC | Lombard | $74,998.90 | Governors State University | Drone Tech |
Varchas Biotechnologies, Inc. | Evanston | $75,000.00 | Northwestern University | Biotech |
Viroscope | Western Springs | $75,000.00 | University of Illinois Chicago | Life sciences and Health care |
Volexion | Evanston | $74,991.13 | Northwestern University | Energy |
