N.C. University to Debut Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., recently announced that it will open a new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub aimed at connecting learning communities with businesses to reimagine and invigorate the workforce. The facility is the first of its kind in the region and is supported by investments from both the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Housed in a 6,500-square-foot space that formerly served as the university's bookstore, the hub will feature open workspaces for students and community members, conference rooms, technology resources such as laptops and 3D printers, faculty consultations, business skills workshops, entrepreneurial summits, experiential learning opportunities for students and more, FSU explained in a news announcement. The university expects the hub to generate at least 30 new jobs or business within two years.

"Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of our new economy," said Fayetteville city Mayor Mitch Colvin, in a statement. "The City of Fayetteville now has a centrally located one-stop-shop for small businesses to get the support they need. We are stronger together and are excited to partner with FSU to strengthen our workforce in an innovative way."

"FSU has embarked upon a new era of grooming business leaders of tomorrow with our state-of-the art Innovation Hub," said Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. "We are thankful to the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for supporting this vision and investing in the future economic engine."

"The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub represents our commitment to be a resource to the city, county and region," added Wesley Fountain, associate vice chancellor for Community Relations and Economic Partnerships at the university.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Texas Recruitment

    Texas Recruitment

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Recruitment has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Porter Family Center

    Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • A digital silhouette works at a computer, immersed in a glowing, interconnected world

    How Will AI Transform Learning Space Design?

    For years, higher education has designed learning spaces around technology as a tool for display, capture, collaboration, and connectivity. AI changes that equation.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.