The nature of research at Carleton University is changing with the launch of 1125@Carleton, a collaborative and innovative workspace. While pure research will always have its place, Carleton is mobilizing knowledge to solve real-world problems at local and global levels. 1125@Carleton will provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to take their ideas to the world stage.
“This is not just another business accelerator or entrepreneurship hub,” said Kim Matheson, vice-president (Research and International). “We will bring together expertise from across this campus for the community to access.”
Carleton researchers, community members and organizations will be able to use the new space by becoming members of the 1125 community. It is expected that project leaders will develop ideas in the space for approximately 12 months before moving on to knowledge mobilization with the help of Carleton’s innovation ecosystem.
“1125@Carleton is a way to take some of the best ideas at Carleton and grow them,” said Executive Director Tessa Hebb. “We want to not only foster and nurture those ideas, but to be a point of contact for organizations that want to connect with the university.”
It is in facilitating these partnerships that 1125@Carleton will really shine – by bringing Carleton researchers, faculty and students together with business, industry, community and governments at all levels.
Members will be able to tap into Carleton’s network of expertise to help mobilize projects. One of these resources is an executive in residence, Louis Lamontagne, CEO and founder of Coris HealthCare Enterprises.
“I’ve spent the greater part of my professional life as an entrepreneur working alongside universities to commercialize technology and turn scientific knowledge into viable enterprises,” said Lamontagne. “It takes leadership, dedication and commitment to launch a lab like the one here at Carleton.”
1125@Carleton is a Living Laboratory and a member of European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL).
“Living labs are a vital component of our innovation ecosystem, not only here at Carleton but in our region,” said Lamontagne. “They are valuable nodes in a global network of innovators, collaborators and community partners.”
The new lab is the culmination of a 20-year focus on entrepreneurship at Carleton. Tony Bailetti, director of the Technology Innovation Management Program, has seen the university evolve into a hotbed for entrepreneurial activity during that time.
“This is Carleton’s time to take a global leadership role in entrepreneurship,” said Bailetti. “The people in this room are already working together to make sure that Carleton has a global presence.”
The lab is housed in a 7,500-square-foot facility overlooking the Rideau River. It offers a range services, including hot desks, offices, boardrooms, workshop space and audio/visual conferencing. To learn more about membership at 1125@Carleton, please visit carleton.ca/1125.
The launch was part of the annual Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Open Doors – Open Knowledge 2013: Celebrating University-Community Engagement. Attendees were able to view some of the innovative technology and design projects coming out of Carleton. The event included a tech demonstration by 1125@Carleton technology partner Cisco.
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Carleton University
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