Hanson Venture Lab officially opens at Cambrian College

Cambrian College opened its new Hanson Venture Lab on Thursday as part of its Research and Innovation Week.

Cambrian College officially opened its Hanson Venture Lab on Thursday. The new entrepreneurial hub is designed to support students, alumni and community members in developing business ideas.

The facility, unveiled at the college’s Greater Sudbury campus on Barry Downe Road as part of the school’s Research and Innovation Week, will offer workshops, networking opportunities and collaborations with established entrepreneurs.

Hanson College, a long-time partner of Cambrian, contributed $1.3 million for the lab’s construction, equipment and an endowment fund to assist student entrepreneurs.

“For 20 years, we have worked with Cambrian College to see students grow, thrive, and succeed,” said Shouyi Ma, Hanson College’s president and CEO, in a news release.

“This facility continues our commitment to student success.”

Cambrian President Kristine Morrissey stressed how the lab will provide hands-on experience.

“This space will help students bring their ideas to life and gain essential skills for today’s business world,” she said in the release.

Charulatha Vijayakumar, a recent graduate and founder of CollSong Inc., spoke at the opening, encouraging fellow students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

“This lab ensures future innovators have the support they need,” she said.

Cambrian College markets itself as northern Ontario’s largest college, with more than 100 programs serving students from more than 60 countries at campuses in Greater Sudbury, Espanola, and Little Current.