Ever dreamt of turning that spark of an idea into reality? Of creating, crafting, designing, programming and discovering alongside a vibrant like-minded community? Well, get ready, because the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) is about to make those dreams a whole lot more accessible.
Based within the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, the CfE is gearing up to officially launch their labs and makerspaces, set to become a hub of innovation for the University of Toronto’s Arts & Science (A&S) community. As a second-year Arts & Science student myself, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek and chat with Pius Santiago, the CfE's Prototyping Lab Lead, about what these spaces mean for the A&S community.
The Maker Movement: Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
The "maker movement" is all about hands-on learning, experimentation, and turning ideas into tangible creations. It's a philosophy that's transforming education and entrepreneurship, and the CfE's new labs are at the forefront of this exciting shift.
Meet Pius Santiago: Your Prototyping Partner
Pius Santiago, with his infectious enthusiasm for building and creating, is the driving force behind the CfE's prototyping labs. He's passionate about helping bring ideas to life, no matter how big or small. "I love to listen and understand what a venture's product idea is and help them find an optimal way of bringing it to life,” he shared during our tour of the labs.
Labs and Equipment: A Playground for Innovation
The CfE boasts four incredible spaces: The Spark Lab, the Galley, the Art-Tech Studio, and the Workshop. "We've designed each lab to cater to a diverse range of interests and skill sets," Santiago explains.
Whether you're passionate about prototyping new products, exploring culinary arts, building custom circuits, delving into robotics and automation, expressing yourself through fashion, or need to capture product photos to showcase your innovation, the CfE has the tools and resources to bring your ideas to life. 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, a fully equipped kitchen, a professional camera setup, a Cricut machine, soldering stations, oscilloscopes... the only limit is your imagination.
Support for All: Nurturing Ideas from Concept to Creation
Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting out with an idea, the CfE is committed to empowering makers at every stage of their journey. Consultation meetings and equipment demonstrations will ensure you have the guidance and support you need to turn your ideas into reality. The makerspaces provide a safe and supportive environment where you can experiment, make mistakes, and iterate on your designs without fear of failure.
Collaboration Across Disciplines: Where Ideas Collide and Spark
One of the most exciting aspects of these spaces is their potential to bring together entrepreneurs from diverse disciplines across A&S. These collaborative spaces invite discovery and push the boundaries of what's possible, showcasing the transformative power that emerges when diverse fields of study intersect. The CfE's labs and makerspaces are not just about building things; they're about fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Ready to Get Started?
The CfE labs & makerspaces will be opening their doors this fall!
All CfE co-working space members and/or A&S students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to explore, create, and collaborate in these inspiring new spaces.
Be the first to know about launch dates, demo days and other exciting CfE events by subscribing to the CfE Launchpad newsletter and following us on Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also learn more about our labs and makerspaces on the CfE website or email entrepreneurship.artsci@utoronto.ca if you have any questions.