for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
at Davidson College

for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
at Davidson College

Our Story

Our Story

The Hurt Hub@Davidson

The Hurt Hub@Davidson

The Social Commons at the Hurt Hub
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.
An empty lounge at the Hurt Hub
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.”
People working in the the Van Deman Innovation Lab at the Hurt Hub
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.
Adults working and conversing in the Hurt Hub Social Commons
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 desks at The Hurt Hub
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.

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.

Five people sit around a table, laughing and conversing
The Social Commons at the Hurt Hub
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.
An empty lounge at the Hurt Hub
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.”
People working in the the Van Deman Innovation Lab at the Hurt Hub
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.

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 Greater Charlotte 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, access to startup capital, and innovation consulting.

Our Values

We believe innovation is born out of Freedom, Integrity, and Inclusion.

  • Freedom to take risks. Freedom to fail and to succeed.
  • Integrity is our expectation.
  • Inclusion is the foundation of everything we do.

Our Team

Liz Brigham headhsot

Liz Brigham

W. Spencer Mitchem Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Meg Blanchard

Meaghan Blanchard

Operations Specialist
Amy Gascon headshot

Amy Gascon

Education Program Manager
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Marquia Humphries

Hurt Hub Arts & Innovation Fellow
Wendy Johnson headshot

Wendy Johnson

Facilities Custodian
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Dr. Hammurabi Mendes

Cornelson Faculty Innovator in Residence
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Erin Moreau headshot

Erin Moreau

Operations Manager
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Madeleine Page

Innovation Instructional Designer
Donna Peters

Donna Peters '89

Alumni Innovator in Residence
Evan Rozantes headshot

Evan Rozantes

Innovation Portfolio Manager
Man smiling

Dwayne Sutton

Funding & Mentorship Programs Manager
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Keith Varriale

Program Coordinator, Gig-Hub
Kelly Weaver headshot

Kelly Weaver

Community Experience Manager
Chris Langford headshot

Chris Langford

Venture Capitalist in Residence for LaunchCLT
The Hurt Hub logo

Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College

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