Our Story

The Hurt Hub@Davidson

The Hurt Hub@Davidson

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.

Unlimited potential

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, student project rooms, and our Data CATS Lab.

Social Commons

Innovation thrives when serendipitous interactions are possible. Located just inside the main entrance, the Social Commons offers students, faculty, coworkers and technology entrepreneurs a place to come together, hang out, and collaborate. With plenty of comfortable seating, good music, and delicious beverages, the Social Commons is a relaxed and inviting place for community to gather and conversations to spark. The space is also equipped with an integrated sound system and large-format mobile LED display which make it easily transformable for networking receptions, seated dinners, and speaker events.

Coworking Community

We offer 16 private office suites, 36 open desks and 6 private phone rooms for local entrepreneurs and working professionals. Our space has capacity for more than 200 members. Amenities include high-speed wireless internet, meeting rooms equipped with ideation and display technologies, a print-copy workroom, and free coffee and beverages.

A group of people sit in a line- one is speaking into a microphone

LaunchLKN

LaunchLKN, the region’s network to support startup growth, partners with the Hurt Hub@Davidson to provide mentorship and events for local startups. The organization regularly offers programs that educate the greater Charlotte community about emerging technologies that are impacting our world.

Our Community

The Hurt Hub@Davidson is proud to be the home of two anchor companies:

Everblue and Boomerang Water. Both companies occupy private office suites inside the building, as well as collaborate with faculty and students on projects and internships.

The Hurt Hub@Davidson

Unlimited potential

Van Deman Innovation Lab

Our mission

We facilitate access and exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship for all Davidson students, alumni, faculty, staff, Hurt Hub co-workers, and community members.

What we do

The Hurt Hub@Davidson convenes innovators and entrepreneurs in the Davidson College community and the Lake Norman region to catalyze innovative solutions to critical problems through educational programming, experiential learning in a safe environment, an inclusive co-working space, uncompromising ethics, a robust mentor network, and student access to startup capital.