We have the resources and knowhow to help you, and we’re looking for partners to generate innovation throughout our region.
NIU prides itself in providing research and innovation collaboration opportunities and support via partnership development.
You might need networking and outreach services; pipelines for student engagement and workforce development; research collaborations to fulfill your company requirements; or other assistance related to product ideation or general entrepreneurial training. We can assemble a team of talented individuals to assist you. In addition to human resource power, NIU also offers short and long-term leasing agreements to enhance your on-campus presence or fulfill space demands your company is facing.
The university is primed to be flexible in partnership approaches. To help illustrate our capacity, two examples are below for consideration.
Experimentica, a global preclinical contract research organization, has been leasing office and laboratory space from NIU since 2021. Following a successful partnership at another institution, Experimentica wanted to expand its presence on another university campus. In addition to the physical spaces, Experimentica also benefits from the accessibility of faculty, students, research equipment and services by being on campus.
NIU’s Office of Innovation is also involved in a university-industry research venture opportunity that could result in a new business. The aim is to demonstrate a new approach to agricultural practice centered around sustainable micro-ecosystems in our Biological Sciences greenhouse to grow herbs, vegetables and micro-greens. Once scaled, these systems can be placed and used in areas of food deserts where food insecurity is highest. In addition to industry connections, the project includes NIU personnel from the Office of Innovation, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, and Department of Computer Science.
NIU has many more industry partnerships, but these two examples highlight ways our university can help entrepreneurs and companies spur innovation, solve challenges and create economic development in our region.
How can we help you?
Karinne Bredberg is the director of the Office of Innovation at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. To discuss partnership opportunities, contact her at innovation@niu.edu.
