Invent@NMU, located on Presque Isle Avenue, recently launched it's third Idea Kiosk. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

MARQUETTE — Ever have a brilliant idea for the next big invention, product or business, but aren’t sure how to bring your idea to fruition?

Invent@NMU recently established a kiosk in Northern Michigan University’s Lydia Olson Library for students, professors and community members to easily communicate their ideas and perhaps take the next step in making an idea into reality. 

Invent@NMU aims to help anyone across the Upper Peninsula with their ideas by guiding them through the process at their own pace, said Invent@NMU Marketing Coordinator Kylie Bunting.

Previously, ideas could only be submitted online.

“These kiosks are an opportunity for those who might not have access to that,” Bunting said. “It’s an opportunity for people to come and submit their ideas remotely.”

The NMU kiosk marks the third kiosk established. In October 2018, the first was launched in Gogebic County. Shortly after, a kiosk was setup in Calumet. A fourth Invent@NMU kiosk will be launched in Negaunee this February.

“If you have an idea, even if it is just in your head or something that you’ve maybe just sketched off on a napkin, we actually are here to help,” Bunting said. 

The kiosks are also a great way to spread awareness of Invent@NMU. While the business is located just across from campus on Presque Isle Avenue, many students and faculty are unaware of the services they provide. 

“Even if somebody doesn’t submit via the kiosk we are hearing a lot of people saying ‘Oh, well I saw this … and that made me realize what you guys can do,’ and so they would go home and submit that idea,” Bunting said. 

Using the kiosk is as simple as submitting your name, email address, where you’re submitting from and a brief description of your idea. All information entered into the kiosks, including ideas, are kept confidential, Bunting assured. 

After submitting an idea, the next step is a quick explore. Invent@NMU project managers conduct a basic 15-minute search online to see if there are similar products on the market and report their findings back to the inventor within three business days. If the product is already readily available, project managers will discuss how to take a different route with the invention or a way to move forward with it. 

“That’s why our slogan is ‘All ideas are worth exploring’ because we just want to hear all the ideas,” Bunting said. “We’ll help you figure out if it’s something you should take this next step for, or if we identify immediate competition, maybe we help you figure out how we change it,” she added. 

From there, the next step is validation, which is a deeper dive into the product or ideas competition. This step is taken at the pace of the client and costs $175 for community members and $75 for students. While funding is not provided by Invent@NMU, they do have some funds available to cover students who would like to validate their idea.

“We’re here to help as little or as much as a client wants, as quick or as slowly as a client wants,” Bunting said. “We’re excited to hear ideas.”

An event celebrating the launch of the NMU kiosk, New Year, New Ideas, was canceled due to inclement weather but will be rescheduled for a later date. Visit Invent at NMU on Facebook for updates.

Those who stop by during the event will get Invent@NMU swag and be entered into a drawing to win a free iPad. Those who enter do not have to submit an idea or be present to win.