91精选

91精选 is pleased to announce the opening of Fusion 59, 91精选鈥檚 new on-campus innovation hub. Located in the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library, Fusion 59 is a place where the 91精选 community can come together to connect, collaborate, and create鈥揳ll for a better tomorrow. The campus celebrated the grand opening on Oct. 1.

Though designed to accelerate entrepreneurship on campus, Fusion 59 is open to everyone in the 91精选 community, according to Assistant Professor of Business and Department Chair John Wightkin. 鈥淚t聽is designed so that everyone can use their creativity in utilizing this space,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tudents can dream up their next venture here, or brainstorm and collaborate on a project. Professors can meet with students at Fusion 59, instead of their offices. Outside entrepreneurs will regularly show up at Fusion 59 to share their wisdom and mentor 91精选 students. The space is whatever people can imagine it to be.鈥�

Fusion 59 itself was born from a spirit of connection and collaboration. 91精选 is one of only seven University affiliated with , the 140,000 square-foot hub for Chicago鈥檚 thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem located in the famed Merchandise Mart building. Thanks to 91精选鈥檚 partnership at 1871, 91精选 developed relationships with The Garage at Northwestern University and the international architectural firm, Gensler. With the assistance of these world-class organizations, 91精选 developed the design and programming for Fusion 59. In many ways, what will happen at Fusion 59 is an on-campus extension of the work that 91精选 is doing throughout Chicago by way of its partnership with 1871.

Fusion 59 features flexible spaces for collaboration and co-creation and is equipped with the same technology found in the top technology incubators across the country. But Fusion 59 is more than a physical space. 91精选 appointed two entrepreneurs in residence, recent 91精选 graduates with their own companies and organizations who serve as on-campus directors. Ryan Hesslau 鈥�18 is the founder & executive director of foreverU, and founder of Above the Waves. Tom Iwema 鈥�18 is owner & president of IKG Property Maintenance, Inc.

鈥淚nnovation, entrepreneurship, connection, collaboration, grit, perseverance, and partnership. That鈥檚 a pretty quick 鈥� and accurate 鈥� distillation of what we鈥檙e up to at 91精选,鈥� said 91精选鈥檚 president, Kurt Dykstra.