By Grace Flannery
On July 25, our College of Business’ De La Vega Innovation Lab sponsored a trip for NIU undergraduate business students to visit several startup ecosystem partners at the 2024 TechChicago event hosted by P33.
Our students visited mHub, TeamWorking by TechNexus, The Gray Matter Experience, MATTER and 1871. This event inspired and empowered students who participated by incorporating their interests in founding a startup or working in the startup/innovation ecosystem with a network of resources, connections and organizations that can help further their goals.
The lab has strengthened pathways for business students to many incredible, Chicago-based organizations by introducing them to key internal stakeholders and other employees.
The feedback was very positive from many students who attended the TechChicago event with the De La Vega Innovation Lab this summer.
“Getting involved with the De La Vega Innovation Lab and attending the TechChicago event this summer was one of my best experiences as an NIU business student,” said finance major Chirag Singh. “As we progressed through that day, (all the places we visited) had great leaders who seemed to really want to help everyone, especially students, in pursuing their innovative ideas. It was great to connect with these leaders and to learn more about what they do and why they do it.”
This year’s TechChicago event was also attended by local celebrity athletes and entertainers including Joakim Noah, a former player for the Chicago Bulls, and Common, a hip-hop artist and actor; both of whom shared parts of their life stories, as well as some words of wisdom, with attendees.
“It was an honor to hear these stories and take away life lessons from them,” said finance major Ghaika Vera. “As an aspiring entrepreneur, it was awesome to have the opportunity to connect with local leaders and to visit the various startup incubators located right here in Chicago. I learned a lot about diverse sets of tools and resources each incubator offers and, while downtown at the event, I got the opportunity to dive into the ever-changing world of tech.
“The excitement and chatter around technology has inspired me to pursue a certification in fintech, combining both my passion for finance and the innovative world of technology.”
Since its launch in 2021, our NIU College of Business’ De La Vega Innovation Lab has served as a collaboration hub that connects undergraduate business students, alumni, faculty and external partners in innovation and entrepreneurial pursuits. Within the lab, students from across campus can engage in collaborative and creative processes, and find the resources they need to accelerate business or innovative ventures.
Since 2023, Becca Husar, associate director of innovation and partnership development, has been leading the De La Vega Innovation Lab by designing cocurricular programming for the lab and working with partners who want to impact the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators at NIU. “While my job is to foster a thriving entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem within the NIU community, I am also trying to inspire our students through hands-on experiences and real-life events,” Husar said, noting that she brings interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity to each program she designs for the De La Vega Innovation Lab.
As an alumna of NIU’s MBA program and a small-business owner herself, Husar supports students with the development of their entrepreneurial ventures and believes “it is important that all of our students — regardless of their background or major — have access to the resources they need to succeed both in school and upon graduation.”
“The De La Vega Innovation Lab is one of many great resources currently available to our students, and I am very happy to hear the positive feedback and enthusiasm from our students after participating at lab events like TechChicago day,” Husar said.
For more information about programs and events at our De La Vega Innovation Lab, go to go.niu.edu/innovation-lab.
