W&M plans second entrepreneurship facility

Published May 7, 2019 by Robert Powell, III

The College of William & Mary will open a second entrepreneurship hub for students next fall.

The facility will be in Tribe Square, a mixed-use property on Richmond Road in Williamsburg.

Launchpad, a regional business incubator, also will relocate to Tribe Square and enter into a management agreement with the university.

Development of the new hub is part of a continuing effort by the university to promote entrepreneurial approaches to all disciplines.

“Entrepreneurial thinking will be our emphasis in this space — collaboration, creative thinking and judicious risk-taking — capacities that William & Mary students hone as they prepare to become change agents in any number of arenas,” W&M President Katherine A. Rowe said in a statement. “Prominently located in Tribe Square, the new hub will cultivate a culture of disciplined creativity across the university and with our regional partners.”

The new facility will be supported by the Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship Center at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. It will offer students programming, co-working space, makerspace access, networking opportunities, mentorships and additional support.

Launchpad will work in conjunction with the hub with W&M managing staffing and programming for the incubator.

Funding for the renovation of the hub will come in large part from the President's Strategic Investment Fund, which was created last summer with a $1.5 million gift from an anonymous alumna.