PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A partnership between the Old Dominion Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the City of Norfolk has resulted in the university’s Innovation Center, providing area entrepreneurs with collaborative space and a program of services to help grow businesses. It is one of several ODU initiatives to promote entrepreneurial culture. Located on Bank Street in downtown Norfolk, the new space was designed by Work Program Architects. It serves as a home base for the Center for Enterprise Innovation, The ODU Maritime Institute, 757 Angels, 75 Accelerator, The Tech Council, Start Wheel, DOD and OPPS Innovation labs, HRIC, NATO and more. ODU realized the importance of a Downtown Norfolk location as a way to connect with local businesses and spur investment in new companies, technologies, and products. End users in the space will include the Strome College of Business, the Women’s Business Group, and an SBA Veteran’s group. The new center includes a large collaborative work area and experiential VR lab that can be seen from Bank Street, adding activity and vibrancy. Other spaces include informal meeting and break rooms, a large conference and training room, and offices.
