Startup Resources

Want to commercialize complex scientific discoveries?

Northwestern's entrepreneurial faculty and resident startups can take advantage of resources that include mentorship, legal assistance, discounts, funding, work spaces and more.

Network

There is much to learn about organizing, funding and launching a new company from the experience of others. The best way to access the know-how and wisdom of others is through networking. Connect with our growing network of mentors who can offer advice on various topics in which they are highly experienced

• Mentor Network Visit our mentors-in-residence page to request a a meeting with a mentor.
• Executives-in-Residence Meet industry veterans for advice and recommendations on projects. Leverage connections in industry and the investment community
• Q Events and Q Socials
• CEO Roundtables Join monthly confidential sessions with other CEOs of Northwestern startups, moderated by Adam Goodman, Director of the Center for Leadership.

Accelerators, Incubators and Competitions

Explore The Q's curated lists of external accelerators, incubator, and competitions designed to help early-stage companies scale.  For questions about a specific opportunity, please visit the program’s website for more information. 

List views at the buttons linked below can be filtered by area of focus, program location, etc. If there is an opportunity you think should be added, please reach out.

• STARTUP ACCELERATORS & INCUBATORS
• STARTUP COMPETITIONS

Services for Startups

Below is a list of available discounts for resident startups tools and services.

Core Facilities

• Learn about the Northwestern core facilities discounts available to startups or apply for core facilities benefits
  
  Apply for Core facilities benefiTS

• Pro Bono Office Hours are offered through the FAST Center of IL. 
• Requests for grant proposal reviews and assistance with writing can be submitted below.  
  
  APPLY FOR SBIR & STTR PROPOSAL SUPPORT 
  Please note that there is limited availability for support.

• Learn more about available discounts and credits for cloud services.

Lab Vendors

• Access Q resident discounted rates with select lab vendors including Fisher Scientific Biochoice Program and Prendio BioProcure.

Funding for Resident Startups

Below are available funding for resident startups.

N.XT Fund

• Visit the N.XT Fund, a $10M gap fund for early stage Northwestern startups.

Startup Toolkit

• Learn about credits that early startups can leverage in launching their new venture. Submit the toolkit application to request reimbursement.
  
  Toolkit Application

Work Spaces

The following spaces are open to members of the Querrey InQbation Lab. They include spaces for wet lab work, co-working and prototyping.

Shared Lab Spaces

• Access shared life science equipment located on the 5th floor. Learn more about our spaces.

• Learn more about the open community space on the 1st floor at the InQbation Lab that features workstations and collaborative areas in addition to private meeting rooms.

• Visit the Prototyping Lab housed at The Garage to access 3D printers, Makerbot Replicators, woodworking equipment, an electronics workbench, etc.

Lab Library

We’ve collected books and created videos as resources for startup founders. We’ve now consolidated them here in our lab library.

Books

• Borrow informative books on entrepreneurial topics. Our library includes this list.

• Watch previous Northwestern seminars on topics spanning commercialization and non-dilutive funding as well as a curated library of helpful videos selected by the InQbation Lab team.

• Fundamentals of Academic-Based Startups by INVO
  
• Anatomy of a License Agreement by AUTM (Kirsten Leute)
  • OUP Startup Licensing Part 1 and Part 2 Webinars
• Founder Playlist by Pillar VC. Great source for templates, guides, articles and videos
• Webinars by Osage Univerity Partners (OUP). Series on Funding/Equity, University Startup licensing and startup financing trends
• SBIR/STTR FAQs by the FAST Center of IL.  Free office hours with SBIR consultants
  
• National Venture Capital Association – NVCA   Source for financing, tem sheets, and other related document templates