Innovate Protect License
Our Mission
The Center for Research Innovation (CRI) pairs solution-oriented research with real-world needs for the enrichment of society through the protection, acceleration, and commercialization of Northeastern innovation.
A Catalyst for Impact
CRI serves as the nexus of inspiration and invention, empowering Northeastern innovators and entrepreneurs to transform their boldest ideas into societal impact. Explore how the CRI translates the university’s most dynamic research into real-world results.
FACULTY RESEARCHERS
At the CRI, we’re here to champion Northeastern’s research and drive its real-world impact.Our mission is to align Northeastern faculty innovations with societal needs—accelerating the transition from lab to market. We work closely with faculty to protect their intellectual property through strong, commercially viable patents and licenses. From identifying promising discoveries to guiding you through the commercialization process, the CRI is your dedicated partner. Contact us today!
SPINOUT FOUNDERS
Bringing your research to market requires more than just an idea—it requires a partner who understands the startup journey. The CRI specializes in supporting faculty-led ventures at every stage, from company formation through launch and scale, particularly in science- and tech-driven fields. We connect researchers with the right resources at the right time—whether it’s access to startup consultants, pitch coaching, event funding, or introductions to investors and strategic partners.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
Whether you’re seeking breakthrough technologies, early-stage investment opportunities, or faculty expertise to advance your company’s R&D, Northeastern’s Center for Research Innovation (CRI) offers a gateway to long-term, strategic engagement. Rather than transactional partnerships, CRI cultivates sustained industry relationships—connecting partners with top-tier research, state-of-the-art facilities, and a responsive team committed to supporting your evolving technology needs.
CRI BY THE NUMBERS
Measuring Success
Through hard work, ingenuity, and teamwork, check out how the CRI has helped Northeastern grow as a leader in research commercialization. The CRI was founded in 2011 and these numbers are designed to illustrate the impact that the CRI has had on research and innovation.
Impact Report FY24
Driven by bold ideas and inspired innovation, the CRI turned vision into reality with passion and purpose, delivering meaningful results throughout the past fiscal year. Watch our video summary and explore the full report to see the impact the CRI made.
Our faculty members hail from local industry leaders, including Boeing, Amazon, Twitter, and Microsoft, and we work to develop research collaborations with companies and institutions in the area.
MILESTONES
- A Northeastern CPI team is working with Microsoft Research to improve internet of things security.
- Northeastern engineering researchers are working with the nonprofit Pacific NorthWest Economic Region and other collaborators on a project to make the region’s vital bridge network more resilient to earthquake damage.
- Faculty and graduate students in Boston and Seattle collaborated with researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology to design a data management and analytics system for Project Feed 1010.
Northeastern’s Roux Institute is designed to spur innovation, build talent, and drive economic growth in Portland, the state of Maine, and the Northeast. Partnerships—with industry, academia, and government—set our education and research model apart.
A LOCAL AND GLOBAL POWERHOUSE
The Roux Institute partners with Maine companies to equip the workforce with essential tech skills and advance research and development.