Invent@NMU, which helps clients bring product ideas and inventions to consumer markets, was the subject of a complimentary tweet yesterday by Gov. Rick Snyder. It also received the Next Generation Best Place to Work Award at the 40 Below birthday bash honoring Marquette County young professionals. Students from Invent@NMU accepted the honor at the late September event.

Snyder's tweet read: "Innovation doesn't need to just happen at the research universities. Invent@NMU at @NorthernMichU is one of the coolest programs I've seen."

According to 40 Below, the Next Generation Best Place to Work Award is presented to a business that “demonstrates a commitment to the development of young professionals, adapts work- and life-friendly policies, values generational differences and institutes attraction and retention initiatives for young talent.

Invent@NMU houses many young professionals from NMU who have specific skill sets to help consumers bring their ideas from napkin to market. They represent diverse fields including mechanical engineering technology, human-centered design, entrepreneurship, economics, marketing, computer science and graphic communications.

Rachel Barra, a student project manager, nominated Invent@NMU for the award, stating it “gives young professionals the ability to experience interdisciplinary exposure while applying academic knowledge and working for real­world clients.”

David Ollila, founding director of Invent@NMU, said, “We are honored and excited to receive the award from 40 Below. It is a great validation knowing we are allocating our resources to the right things. The most important aspect of any organization is its people. It’s truly rewarding working with our student employees as they gain these experiences.”

Invent@NMU offers a diverse range of expertise and works directly with clients to expand their ideas and create solutions. For more information, visit www.nmu.edu/invent.