THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout the university. For Doug Hunter and his wife Diane, the idea of entrepreneurship didn’t exist when they graduated from university. However, Doug’s second job with a small petroleum consulting firm in Calgary exposed him to the world of entrepreneurship and ultimately led him to start his own company, H. Douglas Hunter and Associates.
“The Hunter Hub is a place for creativity,” says Dianne Hunter. “It’s a breeding ground so that people can come together, have different ideas, but rub shoulders with people who are creative and have different ideas and want to do something with it. I think it just sparks your own creativity even more.”
The Hunter Hub is founded on three pillars:
- Cultivating and supporting changemakers
- Connecting and building community
- Amplifying stories and impact
Doug emphasizes that entrepreneurs “are the backbone of the economy. They are the ones that create jobs and build companies. You have to be able to take risks, step out and take that first step. Learn from their mistakes. Get support.” The Hunter Hub aims to provide that support to students, faculty, and the community.
Dianne emphasizes the importance of taking risks and pursuing your dreams. “There’s always going to be some element of fear when starting something new, but if you have an entrepreneurial mindset and you’re willing to take that first step, the rewards can be tremendous. It’s an incredible feeling to be independent, to see your own ideas come to life, and to share them with others.”
The Hunters hope that every student who graduates from the University of Calgary will have been exposed to entrepreneurial thinking in some form. Overall, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and economies. With the support of the Hunter Family Foundation, the Hunter Hub is poised to make a lasting impact on the University of Calgary and beyond.
HUNTER HUB PROGRAMMING
The Hunter Hub has been instrumental in bringing together various groups across the University of Calgary and coordinating their efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. With the generous support of the Hunter family, the Hunter Hub has been able to provide the best possible information and mentorship to students and faculty across all faculties and fields of study.
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking delivers and promotes programs that encourage entrepreneurial thinking across the University of Calgary and Canada. The Hunter Hub hosts an ongoing series of unique and experiential learning programs, workshops, and challenges for students, faculty, and staff.
Our flagship program, Launchpad, grants students and post-docs from all faculties and departments across campus the opportunity to become founders and changemakers in their fields. Through a series of weekly presentations (Launchpad Live) alongside workshops with coaches, an interactive online learning system, and a final pitch competition (Launchpad Liftoff! Competition) in March, participants can hone their entrepreneurial skills to make an impact in their respective industries and fields of study.
Our unique capstone program, The Embedded Certificate in Entrepreneurial Thinking, is a partnership between the Haskayne School of Business and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking that provides undergraduate students from degree paths across the University of Calgary with an entrepreneurial thinking toolkit: the knowledge, experience, mentorship, and capstone project support to make an impact. As part of the capstone project, students select from a range of support available from the Hunter Hub, including options such as dedicated coaching to support idea development, project funding to cover eligible expenses for prototyping and communications materials, and attending events specifically designed for the Embedded Certificate in Entrepreneurial Thinking student interests.’’
Launched in 2021 by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, Experience Ventures is a nationwide program that provides experiential learning opportunities that enable post-secondary students to develop their entrepreneurial thinking skills alongside real-world innovators. The goal is to inspire creativity, resiliency, and future vision in students while providing Canadian startups and social ventures with the opportunity to identify emerging talent. Through partnerships with post-secondary institutions, Experience Ventures offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between school and the new world of work across Canada.
Experience Ventures is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative.
THE IMPACT OF THE HUNTER HUB
The Hunter Hub has had a significant impact through fostering a culture of innovation and empowering individuals with entrepreneurial thinking. Our flagship program, Launchpad, has played a crucial role in driving this impact.
Launchpad attracts participants from various disciplines, primarily with the Schulich School of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Haskayne School of Business, Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Arts, and the Werklund School of Education, creating a diverse and collaborative platform. In fact, the program has gained such popularity that, in 2022, applications poured in from almost every faculty across the university, showcasing its broad appeal and the widespread recognition of its impact. Launchpad offers 18 Speaker Presentations that are open to participants and the general public. These engaging talks are accessible to everyone, whether attending in person or through live-streaming. These presentations have gained a wide viewership, spreading the entrepreneurial mindset and inspiring individuals.
The Hunter Hub also facilitates the Cannon Lachapelle Award in Entrepreneurial Thinking, which was established in 2019 with a generous donation from Dr. Elizabeth Cannon and Dr. Gérard Lachapelle. This prestigious award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in their academic pursuits. To amplify its impact, the number of recipients has been increased from two to four per year. Each deserving student receives $10,000 per semester, empowering them to further their work and make a positive impact within the UCalgary community and beyond.
Additionally, the Hunter Hub offers a highly coveted Summer Accelerator Program, providing selected participants with paid placements that allow them to focus on their startups full-time. This unique opportunity enables entrepreneurs to dedicate their energy and resources to the development and growth of their ventures without the distraction of other commitments. The program not only offers valuable resources, mentorship, and support but also provides access to additional funding opportunities for startup development. Participants have the chance to secure significant financial support, empowering them to propel their startups to new heights and make a meaningful impact in the local economic ecosystem.
The impact of the Hunter Hub’s programs has reached an international level, with participants achieving recognition in renowned competitions. Their successes highlight the University’s reputation as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.
To foster knowledge-sharing and networking, the Hunter Hub Collision Space hosts community events and speaker series featuring nationally renowned guests. This space serves as a hub for exchanging innovative ideas and further enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Hunter Hub has made a significant impact at the University of Calgary. Through programs like Launchpad, Experience Ventures, and the facilitation of the Cannon Lachapelle Award, it empowers individuals, promotes collaboration, and drives positive change. With its growing reach and international recognition, the Hunter Hub continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen the University’s reputation as a centre of entrepreneurial excellence.
