The Innovation Voucher Way

A roundup of 71 North updates

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71 NORTH
November 04, 2025

The Innovation Voucher Way

​Illinois is full of bold ideas—and this is where some of the most promising ones begin.

​The Voucher University Session brings Illinois universities and small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs) together for an interactive session designed to spark new research and development collaborations. Each event features university leaders showcasing their faculty expertise, innovation resources, and stories of industry engagement, paired with an open Q&A that invites SMEs to explore how collaboration can fuel real-world solutions.

​Along the way, both sides will learn how the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program can support partnerships with up to $75,000 in R&D funding. This event is free to attend but registration is required.

When: Wednesday, November 5th, 4:30-6:30 pm

Where: 71 North Partnership Studio

❝

“If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.”

Tom Peters

The Voucher University Session at NIU · Luma

Connect Today. Partner for Tomorrow. Illinois is full of bold ideas—and this is where some of the most promising ones begin.

luma.com/ywuegpgp?tk=fUlb1t

This Week at 71 North

Tuesday:

9:00-11:00 AM: Morning Brew & Write - Writing Group for Grad Students & Post-Doc

12:00-1:00 PM: Innovation Pages, Hooked - Facilitator: Matt Deitch

2:30-3:30 PM: Innovation Pages, Leaders Eat Last - Facilitator: Jordan York

3:30-4:30 PM: LEAP - Lean & Agile Community of Practice Meetup

Wednesday:

1:30-3:00 PM: HuskieVerse Planning Meeting

3:15-4:45 PM: NNGO 352 - Nonprofit Program and Development

3:30-4:30 PM: Innovation Pages, Give and Take - Facilitator: Dr. Anna Klis

5:00-7:45 PM: ECON 691 Research Tools for Economists

Thursday:

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Faculty Writing Group - The Faculty Grant Writing Group is open to all NIU faculty and will provide participants with quiet, dedicated time and space to work on writing for external funding pursuits. 

12:00-1:00 PM: Unplugged Conversations - Step away from screens and rediscover the art of conversation, Facilitated by Julie Ann O'Connell

Unplugged Conversations

Each session invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and explore ideas together in an open, welcoming circle. No phones. No laptops. Just people, presence, and meaningful exchange.

calendar.niu.edu/event/unplugged-conversations

3:00-6:30 PM: HON-310 Open Source

4:30-6:00 PM: Indie Game Developers Org Meeting, ACM x IGDO Social

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Weave the Word: First-Gen Stories in Zines & Fiber

Friday:

11:00-4:00 PM: VespaMode - Development of Vespa Simulator in VR

1:00-2:00 PM: Northern Exposure: Make Your Move: Is Technology a Help or Hindrance to Your Well-being, Lynn Herrman, PhD

Northern Exposure: Where Curiosity Meets Research

Lynn Herrmann, PhD, MPH, is a public health expert, educator, and fitness professional who cares deeply about educating people to live their healthiest lives. As a professor of Public Health and Health Education at Northern Illinois University, she researches the varied influences on health-related behaviors, especially physical activity.

https://calendar.niu.edu/event/northern-exposure-where-curiosity-meets-research

3:30-5:00 PM: HuskieHackers - embark on coding adventures.

6:00-7:00 PM: Proxima Centauri Alpha - Ingenuity in action - STEM Focused Students Organization

Monday

3:00-4:45 NNGO- Nonprofit Program and Development

5:00-7:20 PM: Opportunity DeKalb: Breakthrough Community Business Academy

Looking Ahead:

Northern Exposure: Where Curiosity Meets Research

Come by for our final Northern Exposure next week, featuring Dr. Biagio Palese on “Bridging Minds and Machines: A Balanced Approach to AI for Teaching".”

calendar.niu.edu/event/northern-exposure-where-curiosity-meets-research

Looking Back:

Northern Exposure with Dr. Gunkel was very informative!

Open VR play at the studio social!

So much fun and good energy at the studio social!

Take a moment to review 71 North on Google Maps