{{short description|Graduate school and research center of Northeastern University in Portland, Maine}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Advert|date=June 2025}}{{Infobox university | name = Roux Institute | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | latin_name = | motto = | motto_lang = | mottoeng = | established = {{Start date|2020}} | closed = <!-- {{end date|YYYY}} --> | type = Private<br>Graduate campus | parent = Northeastern University | affiliation = | academic_affiliation = | endowment = | budget = | dean = | academic_staff = | administrative_staff = | students = | undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | other = | address = 100 Fore Street | city = Portland | state = Maine | country = U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|43|39|42|N|70|14|49|W|type:edu_region:US-ME|display=inline,title}} | campus = Urban | language = English | free_label = | free = | website = {{URL|https://roux.northeastern.edu}} | logo = | footnotes = | other_name = <!--or, other_names--> | former_name = <!--or, former_names--> | founder = | religious_affiliation = | colors = | logo_size = | logo_alt = }}
The '''Roux Institute''' is a graduate campus and research center affiliated with Northeastern University and located in Portland, Maine. The Roux Institute is currently located in the WEX Inc. headquarters at 100 Fore Street in downtown Portland.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hoey |first=Dennis |date=2020-06-17 |title=New graduate school and research center finds home on Portland's waterfront |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2020/06/17/new-graduate-school-and-research-center-finds-home-on-portlands-waterfront/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Press Herald}}</ref> A new campus is under construction at the site of the former B&M Baked Beans factory, which is anticipated to open in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roux Campus Community {{!}} Info |url=https://www.rouxcampusportland.org/info |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.rouxcampusportland.org}}</ref> ==History==
===Planning=== After a year of development, the institute was announced by Northeastern on January 27, 2020, along with an announcement of a $100 million gift from David Roux and his wife, Barbara.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thomsen |first=Ian |date=2020-01-27 |title=Northeastern partners with entrepreneur David Roux to launch the Roux Institute at Northeastern in Portland, Maine |url=https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/01/27/northeastern-partners-with-entrepreneur-david-roux-to-launch-the-roux-institute-at-northeastern-in-portland-maine/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Northeastern Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
David Roux lived in Lewiston, Maine, in his youth, but found success outside the state, becoming a technology entrepreneur and investor and co-founder of Silver Lake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Envisioner, investor |url=https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/2014/November/envisioner-investor |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=The Jackson Laboratory |language=en}}</ref> However, Roux wanted to do more to promote the technology sector in Maine and began looking to partner with an existing university to increase research and education opportunities in the state. Beginning in 2019, Roux partnered with Northeastern University to develop the institute, agreeing to contribute $100 million towards its development and operations.<ref name=":0" /> The Harold Alfond Foundation donated an additional $100 million in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomsen |first=Ian |date=2020-10-08 |title=Northeastern's Roux Institute receives a 'phenomenal investment' from the Harold Alfond Foundation |url=https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/10/08/northeasterns-roux-institute-receives-a-phenomenal-investment-from-the-harold-alfond-foundation/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Northeastern Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On August 30, 2021, a nonprofit called the Institute for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences announced it was acquiring the historic B&M Baked Beans factory at the mouth of Back Cove, with the intent of redeveloping the property into a campus for the Roux Institute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2021 |title=Iconic B&M Baked Beans factory to be sold, turned into Roux Institute campus |url=https://www.wmtw.com/article/iconic-bandm-baked-beans-factory-to-be-sold-turned-into-roux-institute-campus/37435160 |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=WMTW}}</ref>
Roux believed that the institute's success would hinge on three factors: a credible university partner, many corporate partners, and "a big pile of money." He termed this the "Maine Model" for how to replicate the successes of major technology hubs without the same kind of educational and financial capital found in those places.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can the "Maine Model" Bring the Innovation Economy to the Rest of America? |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/can-maine-model-bring-innovation-economy-rest-america |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref> Major Maine businesses including L.L.Bean, Bangor Savings Bank, Unum, The Jackson Laboratories, Wex, and Idexx Laboratories signed on to co-develop the institute's curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Michael |date=2020-02-04 |title=Local employers eager for Roux Institute launch |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2020/02/04/local-employers-eager-for-roux-institute-launch/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Press Herald}}</ref>
=== Operations === Roux's inaugural class began in 2020 and graduated in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mello-Klein |first=Cody |date=2022-06-10 |title=The future of Maine is now with Roux Institute at Northeastern graduates |url=https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/06/10/roux-institute-at-northeastern-graduates/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Northeastern Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> In contrast to Northeastern's other regional campuses in Seattle and Burlington, Massachusetts, which primarily focus either on graduate education or advanced research, the Roux Institute engages in both.<ref name=":0" />
== Academics ==
=== Clean Tech Incubator === In 2023, the Roux Institute received $975,000 from the Maine Governor’s Energy Office to develop the Clean Tech Incubator. The Incubator aims to attract and grow up to 40 tech startups over the next two years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Roux Institute awarded nearly $1 million for clean energy incubator program |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2023/12/05/roux-institute-awarded-nearly-1-million-for-clean-energy-incubator-program/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Press Herald}}</ref>
=== Computer science === The Roux Institute offers graduate degrees in computer science. In 2022, it established a partnership with Bowdoin College and Colby College that allows students to take courses toward their master’s degree at the Roux Institute while still enrolled as an undergraduate student.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-11 |title=A New Partnership between Bowdoin College and The Roux Institute at Northeastern University |url=https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2022/08/a-new-partnership-between-bowdoin-college-and-the-roux-institute.html |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Bowdoin News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-10 |title=Colby Students Find a Gateway to Advanced Computer Science Degrees |url=https://news.colby.edu/story/roux-partnership-provides-gateway-to-advanced-degrees/ |work=Colby News}}</ref>
=== Future of Healthcare Founder Residency === Launched in 2023, the Future of Healthcare Founder Residency is funded by Northern Light Health and MaineHealth. It is a three-month intensive program for healthcare companies offering access to international experts within the company's field. Participating companies are co-located on the Roux Institute's campus during the residency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mello-Klein |first=Cody |date=2023-04-27 |title=The Roux Institute's Future of Healthcare Founder Residency to jumpstart Maine's health tech industry |url=https://news.northeastern.edu/2023/04/27/maine-residency-program-healthtech/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Northeastern Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Campus ==
=== Temporary campus === While the permanent campus is under construction, the Roux Institute has a temporary campus located at 100 Fore Street in 44,000 square feet of classroom space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Campus |url=https://roux.northeastern.edu/about/our-campus/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Roux Institute at Northeastern University |publisher=Northeastern University |language=english}}</ref> The temporary campus is located in financial services provider Wex's corporate headquarters building in downtown Portland.<ref name=":1" /> In 2023, 70 Roux students were housed in the redeveloped Mercy Hospital on State Street.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=Roux Institute fields questions from neighbors |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/education-news/2023-12-14/roux-institute-fields-questions-from-neighbors |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Maine Public |language=en}}</ref> thumb|Roux current location
=== Future campus === The Roux Institute campus is being built in the East Deering neighborhood on a waterfront parcel. According to the developers, the new campus will feature public waterfront access as well as publicly-accessible paths and trails.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roux Campus Community {{!}} Roux Campus |url=https://www.rouxcampusportland.org/roux-campus |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.rouxcampusportland.org}}</ref> The 13.5-acre campus will include the former B&M Baked Beans factory building, which is frequently described as an "iconic" part of the city, while the other buildings on the site have been demolished.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Colin |date=2022-09-07 |title=Roux Institute provides up-close look at its hoped-for Portland campus {{!}} The Portland Phoenix |url=https://portlandphoenix.me/roux-institute-provides-up-close-look-at-its-hoped-for-portland-campus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203031130/https://portlandphoenix.me/roux-institute-provides-up-close-look-at-its-hoped-for-portland-campus/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=2023-08-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> The approved site plan calls for a 238,000 square foot academic building designed by CambridgeSeven, a parking garage and a child care facility.<ref name=":2" /> The Roux Institute will build up to 250 student housing units in the first five years, and up to 650 units within two decades. Plans also call for adding a hotel and retail.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=Portland City Council gets first look at proposed Roux Institute rezoning |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2023/01/09/portland-city-council-gets-first-look-at-proposed-roux-institute-rezoning/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Press Herald}}</ref>
An initial proposal for the campus on the site was met with criticism and was scaled back by 27%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bousquet |first=Carol |date=2022-06-08 |title=Roux Institute campus development plan for B&M site scaled back after neighborhood outcry |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2022-06-08/roux-institute-campus-development-plan-for-b-m-site-scaled-back-after-neighborhood-outcry |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Maine Public |language=en}}</ref> The site is being designed to account for sea level rise and climate change. The existing pier is being raised higher and bike storage is being planned to occupy the first floor of the former B&M Baked Beans factory, which will accommodate office space. The campus will be built as an all-electric campus using geothermal wells and heat pumps for energy supply.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research Campus Planning for Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge : CEG |url=https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/research-campus-on-portland-maine-waterfront-planning-for-sea-level-rise-storm-surge/63916 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=www.constructionequipmentguide.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Inside Higher Ed'''s Lindsay McKenzie wrote that Maine's public universities "perhaps surprisingly" welcomed the announcement of the Roux Institute. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine, said the two universities would develop "pathways programs" as the first step towards a deeper partnership. Most of Maine's colleges and universities are primarily undergraduate-oriented, which McKenzie wrote could mean opportunities for those colleges to provide potential students for the Roux Institute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Lindsay |title=Northeastern Expands Into Maine |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/01/28/northeastern-university-launches-100-million-research-center-maine |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref>
== Founder Residency == Since its establishment, the Roux Institute’s Founder Residency has annually selected ten early‑stage, technology‑based startups—particularly those led by underrepresented founders—to participate in a year‑long, equity‑light accelerator hosted at its Portland, Maine campus. The 2024 cohort included bio plastic producer Dirigo seafarm, AI Powered Friendship App Pulse Meet New Friends and 8 other startups.<ref>{{cite web |title=Founder Residency |url=https://roux.northeastern.edu/entrepreneurship/founder-residency/ |website=roux.northeastern.edu |access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pulse Make New Friends About Us |url=https://pulsenow.app/about |website=Pulsenow.app |access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>
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==See also== * List of postgraduate-only institutions
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://roux.northeastern.edu/}} {{Northeastern University}}{{authority control}}
Category:Technological universities in the United States Category:Northeastern University Category:Universities and colleges in Portland, Maine Category:2020 establishments in Maine Category:Research institutes established in 2020