Industry and investors can explore Northwestern’s technologies, startups, and IP portfolio through INVO.

An invention disclosure documents Northwestern University inventions, inventors, and related details. Disclosure may be required under the University Patent and Invention Policy.

After submitting an invention disclosure, users receive a confirmation email with their Northwestern number and assignment date. An Invention Manager evaluates the invention if none is assigned.

The annual Innovation Impact Report outlines INVO's efforts to strengthen entrepreneurial activity by both students and faculty to build a self-sustained community capable of generating innovations to benefit society

Northwestern offers career opportunities at its Evanston and Chicago campuses.

Christian Hinton oversees daily operations, administrative processes, and facility management at the Querrey InQbation Lab’s 15,000-square-foot incubator. He handles startup support, procurement, payroll, and event logistics while managing shared office and lab resources.

Elan Ness-Cohn manages venture development and programming at the Querrey InQbation Lab, supporting Northwestern faculty and students in developing research into startups. He leads programs on strategic milestones, investor readiness, and market alignment while connecting founders to biotech and venture networks.

Jennifer Chadwick provides strategic and board-level guidance to early-stage startups at the Querrey InQbation Lab, helping translate Northwestern’s scientific innovations into commercial products. She has over 20 years of experience in biologic drug discovery and translational development.

Supports the transition of university research into practical applications through guidance in invention disclosure, patenting, licensing, and startup development.

Northwestern is one of the country’s leading private research and teaching universities, located in Evanston, IL. Our highly collaborative environment provides our diverse students and faculty with exceptional opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Students who have not used significant Northwestern resources and wish to formalize the ownership of their invention should complete a release form. Once approved, this form will release all University rights to the student.

If a student invention does not fall under the University Patent and Invention Policy, the student should formalize ownership of the invention. Visit the Releasing Intellectual Property page to learn more about this procedure.

Communicating Northwestern's values and expectations.

Northwestern University appoints Lisa Dhar as associate vice president for innovation, overseeing the Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO). The office supports translating research into practical applications and fostering entrepreneurship. Dhar will drive initiatives to enhance the university’s research impact through commercialization efforts.

Mar 2023 · news.northwestern.eduNews article

Alicia Löffler will depart from Northwestern at the end of the autumn quarter. She previously appeared on *Global University Venturing’s* *Talking Tech Transfer* podcast. The announcement marks her transition from her role in university technology transfer.

Oct 2022 · Global VenturingNews article

Alicia Löffler steps down as executive director of Northwestern University’s Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO) after 12 years in the role. She completes over two decades of service at the university, marking the end of her leadership in fostering innovation and new ventures.

Oct 2022 · news.northwestern.eduNews article

Northwestern University names its new multimillion-dollar technology accelerator the **Querrey InQbation Lab**, honoring Kimberly K. Querrey. The initiative supports early-stage technology ventures through funding and resources. The university highlights Querrey’s contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mar 2022 · news.northwestern.eduNews article