Starting this month, entrepreneurs in OCAD University’s Imagination Catalyst Incubator will have full access to MakeWorks, Canada’s leading creative studio for makers, designers and startups.
“This unique partnership will bolster OCAD U’s ability to provide the entrepreneurs in its incubator with more tools, mentors, and space for their entrepreneurial pursuits,” said Helmut Reichenbächer, AVP Research and Dean Graduate Studies. “This partnership will bring an exciting new batch of startups to MakeWorks and further strengthen its culture of innovation and collaboration.”
Entrepreneurs will get access to MakeWorks’ 10,000 sq. ft. (929 sq. m.) facility, which includes a co-working space, a prototyping and electronics lab, a MakerSpace and an event space. Entrepreneurs will be surrounded by over 30 other startups and involved with community initiatives such as “Thursday Demos”, a MakeWorks event held every week where members share their progress and get feedback.
MakeWorks founder, Mike Stern, is excited about the possibilities ahead. “OCAD U is quickly becoming a leading breeding-ground for Canadian startups. Their design-centric approach is producing amazing new concepts, and partnering with MakeWorks is a real opportunity to bring these ideas to life.”
Sprout Guerilla, an Imagination Catalyst incubator graduate from last year, currently calls MakeWorks home. They’ve started to use 3D printers and Laser Cutters to prototype new products and have also benefited from the diverse community of startups here. MakeWorks helped them find a home for their business, and they're now well on their way to commercialization.
Imagination Catalyst:
As OCAD University's entrepreneurship and commercialization hub, our mission is to help maker, digital media, internet of things, and cultural entrepreneurs launch new enterprises or commercialize their designs, products and services, as well as play a strong supporting role in the creation of a deep, collaboratively oriented entrepreneurship culture across campus. Our vision is to play a leadership role in the effort to unite, mobilize and focus the power of the cultural industries, creativity, scholarship and smart entrepreneurship in solving the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time. In so doing, we hope to unleash new basis for economic growth and development.
MakeWorks:
Community + Innovation = Growth Everything at MakeWorks is designed around this core principle. We're building Toronto's leading workspace for technologists and creatives, and providing the tools, mentorship and community for them to thrive.
OCAD University (OCAD U):
OCAD University (www.ocadu.ca) is Canada’s “university of imagination.” The university, founded in 1876, is dedicated to art and design education, practice and research and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines. OCAD University is building on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning that champion cross-disciplinary practice, collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies. In the Age of Imagination, OCAD University community members will be uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians.
For more information please contact:
Christine Crosbie, Media Relations Officer, OCAD University ccrosbie@ocadu.ca