The Hub Expands its Reach: Launching a New Space at UCI's ANTrepreneur Center

Access the latest technology to experiment, learn, and grow in a brand-new space. 

By: The Office of Data and Information Technology
Image credit: Theresa Phan

In an exciting development that promises to promote innovation at UCI and provide students the opportunities to prepare themselves for their future careers, the UCI Office of Data and Information Technology (ODIT) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new space at the ANTrepreneur Center called The Hub. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the program’s goal of putting cutting-edge technology in the hands of students, faculty, and staff. 

The Hub provides various tools, sandboxes, and training environments for the UCI community. Thanks to this partnership with the ANTrepreneur Center, The Hub will be able to reach more students than ever before. The new space is poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of trailblazers and innovators.

student working on a laptop in a space with wall monitors and fun graphics of people shapesWhat is The Hub?

The Hub is powered by UCI ODIT and curates resources from participating organizations such as Amazon Web Services, ServiceNow, Siemens, Soul Machines, Syntropy, Salesforce, Gartner, and many more. The UCI community can leverage this suite of tools at no cost—anytime and anywhere. 

“The Hub is a place where we can all discover and learn the latest tools that will bring innovation to our society,” said Vice Chancellor and Chief Digital Officer Tom Andriola. “We know students are looking ahead to graduation and what comes next in their journey. The Hub offers them the opportunity to engage with technology in a way that complements their academic goals and will help them be career- ready.”

Users have the option to access these platforms and leverage the tools for a school project, personal discovery, or an innovation challenge–such as the upcoming AI Innovation Challenge presented by the ANTrepreneur Center. Lessons learned from their experiences interacting with The Hub can later be captured as skills, micro-credentials, and/or certifications.

“We started small with a handful of partners,” added Andriola. “I am thrilled to see The Hub grow and take flight, and I can’t wait to see what heights we can reach with a physical space at the ANTrepreneur Center.” 

The ANTrepreneur Center: Entrepreneurship in Action 

The ANTrepreneur Center, a vibrant on-campus resource for visionary Anteaters, is the ideal partner to engage innovative students. Now backed by The Hub, the center is even better equipped to support students in bringing their startup dreams to life.

The Hub at the ANTrepreneur Center provides workspaces where students can explore the various tools and also interact with each other. The space is designed to facilitate learning, brainstorming, and interaction with other students.  At The Hub, students will find dedicated desks and collaboration tools such as electronic whiteboards, stand-up desks, and even under-desk treadmills. 

“Our vision is to make sure the ANTrepreneur Center is a safe  place and home base where UCI undergraduate students go to start and explore their entrepreneurial journey,” said Director Ryan Foland. “The addition of The Hub at our center is a natural partnership that will help us do just that.” 

Key Features of The Hub at the ANTrepreneur Center

  1. Collaborative Workspace: The Hub's new space at the ANTrepreneur Center provides students with a collaborative workspace where they can brainstorm, create, and collaborate on their projects.
  2. Access to Resources: Students at The Hub will have access to a wealth of resources provided by the top names in tech.
  3. Community Building: The Hub fosters a close-knit community of students from all majors who can learn from each other, collaborate on projects, and grow together.

What to Expect Next

Check out The Hub's new space at the ANTrepreneur Center at the kickoff for the AI Innovation Challenge on October 16, 2023. This event promises to be a celebration of innovation and a testament to UCI's dedication to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within its student body.

Get Involved

Are you a UCI student looking to explore new opportunities in tech? The Hub at the ANTrepreneur Center is here to support you on your journey. To learn more about The Hub's resources and how to get involved, visit The Hub’s webpage. 

The partnership between The Hub and the ANTrepreneur Center is the latest effort by UCI to support entrepreneurship and innovation on campus. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey along with UCI’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, a group which includes Beall Applied Innovation, Career Pathways, the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, the Division of Undergraduate Education, the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Merage School, and many others.