RE-EMERGING: Accelerate
With the Wentworth community back for a new semester and a fresh cohort of students discovering on-campus programming, Accelerate is in the midst of a renaissance.
Steered by new Executive Director Ashley Lucas, as well as Associate Provost for Transformational Learning and Partnerships Susan Duffy and Lab Technician Tory Lam ’14, Wentworth’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center has re-emerged from a quiet period during the pandemic to once again being a prominent force on campus, available to all who have an idea.
The group is launching new programs—including an introduction to entrepreneurship series, a Rapid Pitch Competition, and Maker Days—and made available an array of tools including laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing equipment, a full woodshop, spray paint booth, and a host of prototyping materials, all at no extra cost.
“Accelerate helps bring your ideas to life, and we’re open to everyone joining,” said Duffy.
Accelerate additionally created the inaugural entrepreneur-in-residence position, occupied by Logic Founder/CEO Michael Santora ’05. Santora—also a University Advisor—works directly with students on campus as they build the Logic robot as part of a capstone project, and he is serving as an advisor for all students involved in Accelerate who are looking to take their innovations to the next level.
“Accelerate is not just a plan to come up with ideas, it’s a plan to be able to try things in the real world,” Santora said. “I hope to bring a mix of business and technical expertise, and help students figure out viable ways to bring ideas to market.”