In 2014, Davidson College purchased industrial space in downtown Davidson, originally built as part of the Davidson Cotton Mill in 1920. Today, it is a beautiful 23,000 square foot, cutting-edge, LEED Gold-certified facility where campus and community collide to spark vibrant technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Lake Norman area.

Business leader and venture philanthropist Jay Hurt ’88 committed $5 million to support these innovation and entrepreneurship efforts. “At first blush, this project didn’t seem like Davidson at all,” said Hurt. “But I quickly realized there is a need for students to have this opportunity, and companies can benefit from the engagement of talented students in their work. There is unlimited potential when this is done well.”

VAN DEMAN INNOVATION LAB

The Van Deman Innovation Lab serves as the home for Davidson College’s innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technology programs. Made possible with a $1 million gift from Ed Van Deman ’69, CEO of Financial Navigator, Inc., and his wife Dr. Nancie Fimbel, the Lab includes open collaboration space, a Virtual Reality lab, Startup Alley, The D-Space, and Analytics Factory.

COWORKING COMMUNITY

Flywheel Coworking offers 15 private office suites and 36 open plan benching seats for local startups, entrepreneurs, and Davidson College students, faculty and alumni. The space has capacity for more than 100 seated members. Members of the coworking community enjoy all-inclusive amenities such as meeting rooms equipped with ideation and display technologies, phone rooms for focus and privacy, a print-copy workroom, and free coffee and beverages.

LAUNCHLKN

LaunchLKN, the region’s network to support startup growth, calls the Hurt Hub its home. Its offices are located within the coworking community and the organization regularly offers events and programs that educate the greater Charlotte community about emerging technologies that are impacting our world.