History of the Hub
In 2010, the entrepreneurial landscape at W&M began to shift with the establishment of the Miller Entrepreneurship Center in the Mason School of Business. This transformative step was made possible by the generosity of Alan B. Miller and a dedicated group of early donors.
Enter 2018 and, with it, the dynamic leadership of President Rowe, W&M's 28th president. Not just an acclaimed Shakespearean scholar, she also wore the hat of an entrepreneur, having co-founded, fundraised for, and run a social reading venture. That year, a pivotal retreat with the board of visitors posed an intriguing question: Could W&M be both a historic institution and a catalyst for entrepreneurial thinkers?
Seeing an opportunity in the vacant storefronts of Tribe Square on Richmond Road, a vision began to crystallize. By January 2020, these spaces were transformed into the vibrant Entrepreneurship Hub, attracting students, faculty, and regional entrepreneurs in droves. The momentum was undeniable, with the Hub becoming a hive of activity until the pandemic necessitated a pause.
But true to its entrepreneurial ethos, the Hub adapted. Transitioning to the virtual realm, it continued to engage and inspire with online events, pitch competitions, and speaker series that reached a nationwide audience.
Reopening post-pandemic with renewed vigor and insights from the virtual world and positioned within the Provost's office for cross-campus impact, the Hub is now W&M's epicenter for entrepreneurial thinking. A place where diverse minds converge, collaborate, and create, all with the aim of shaping a brighter future.
