EPICenter

The Entrepreneurship, Practice, and Innovation Centre (EPICenter) is the entrepreneurial hub on the University of Windsor’s campus. EPICentre provides practical opportunities and support to students, alumni, faculty, and the community so that they can succeed in moving their ideas forward. EPICentre members gain access to mentorship, a collaborative co-working space, connections, and funding opportunities to bring their idea to market.

The Accelerator

The Accelerator is an entrepreneurial ecosystem with co-working spaces specifically designed to help accelerate the growth of start-ups and emerging businesses, featuring on-site training, and mentoring programs in a truly collaborative environment. Together with our clients and partners, we’re working hard to create the future of Windsor and Ontario.

Automobility and Innovation Centre

Windsor-Essex is an established hub of automobility and advanced manufacturing excellence. Our Automobility and Innovation department aims to support new and existing businesses in this area by offering a variety of resources and programs that help companies achieve their goals. We are part of two critical support networks that help foster excellence in the connected and autonomous vehicle development industry. Participants will receive a brief overview of Windsor Essex with a specific highlight on the recent $5B investment by LG/Stellantis JV NextStar and what opportunities exists for entrepreneurs across the region.

Velocity Center

The first stop will be the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights, where a regional panel will talk about the reinvention and turnaround of the manufacturing sector in Macomb County with a focus on Industry 4.0 and automation. Attendees will also learn more about the turnaround and reinvention of the Velocity Center itself during tours of the facility.

Build Institute

Build, located in the Corktown neighborhood, provides access to an equitable (w)holistic support system for ideators and early-stage business owners. The facility includes safe and diverse co-working and meeting space and services include early-stage capital, continuous education, and access to customers. In addition to a tour of the facility and learning about the work Build is doing in the Detroit community, attendees will have lunch in the space.

Finally, the tour will head just down the road to the LIFT headquarters. Operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, LIFT is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense, industry and academia. LIFT has a goal of driving American manufacturing into the future through technology and talent development. Participants will tour the facility and learn about what the innovations LIFT supports, as well as the public-private partnership that funds it.