FEATURES

Inside Sears think[box]

IMAGE: Adam Simpson

Welcome to the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box], an innovation center open to the campus community and the public, and a focal point of Case Western Reserve's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.

Its popularity in Cleveland and beyond has led its executive director, Malcolm Cooke, PhD (GRS '04, mechanical engineering), an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, to think broadly about the brand.

One of our hopes is that we'll actually develop a new verb, called 'think[boxing],' " he said, adding that the term doesn't only include tinkering and making. "It's all-encompassing and includes our ecosystem, which promotes and supports innovation and entrepreneurship."

Look inside our illustration of the space, where inventors can advance floor by floor, from producing ideas to creating a product to incorporating a company—or take advantage of opportunities to work in just one area.

—MICHELLE TEDFORD

We suggest you read from the bottom up.

7th floor: Incubator
(Veale Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Early-stage companies share workspaces and network with other entrepreneurs. Includes residency space for established companies that can have serendipitous conversations with startups launched by university students, faculty and staff.

6th floor: Entrepreneurship
(Cray Center for Venture Creation and the Burton D. Morgan Suite for Entrepreneurship)
Where entrepreneurs seek assistance and advice. Experts in residence include CWRU LaunchNET, the university's Technology Transfer Office and the IP Venture Clinic, which provides legal help.

5th floor: Project Space
(Eric T. Nord Project Space Floor)
Dedicated workspaces are occupied and managed by student competition teams: Mini Baja for building off-road vehicles, Case Aeronautics Team for designing, building and testing model aircraft and drones, plus the Case Rocketry Club and the CWRUbotix robotics team.

4th floor: Fabrication
(The Lubrizol Foundation and Kent H. Smith and Kelvin Smith Fabrication Floor)
Time to go from prototype to product. This is where you'll weld, drill, cut, grind and more, using top-of-the-line equipment. It also includes a woodworking shop.

3rd floor: Prototyping
(Prentke Romich Floor)
From laser cutters to a PolyJet 3D printer to an eight-head embroidery machine, this floor has what you need to bring form to your idea.

2nd floor: Collaboration and Ideation
(Wyant Collaboration Floor)
Where thinkers can meet up. Includes multimedia work centers; presentation spaces; funky, configurable furniture; and the ultimate bringer-together, a pizza ATM.

1st floor: Community
(Nottingham Spirk Floor)
The only floor yet to open. It is slated to be used for community activities. The design is underway, and the space likely will open by the end of next year.