VIU Students Offered Free Co-op Work Space at SquareOne

SquareOne Community Manager Kelsey Wolff looks forward to welcoming VIU students to the downtown Nanaimo business incubation hub, where three no-cost desks are now available to help student entrepreneurs develop their ideas.

May 12, 2015 - 10:45am

Vancouver Island University (VIU) students with great ideas for launching a business or starting a new enterprise can apply for no-cost co-op work spaces made available through a new partnership between VIU and SquareOne, Nanaimo’s downtown tech incubator and co-working hub.

Three workspaces will be offered to students who successfully apply to SquareOne with details about their idea. SquareOne offers workspaces with desk, chair, file cabinet, wireless and hardwired Internet service, as well as access to printing, scanning and fax. There are also meeting rooms, with support from a community manager.

Kelsey Wolff, SquareOne Community Manager, said students will also find a supportive environment, valuable business resources, and a great network of like-minded individuals working on ideas and sharing expertise.

“SquareOne is a great space to connect to community, grow your network, and collaborate with other out-of-the-box thinkers,” said Wolff. “VIU students who participate will really see their ideas transform.”

“VIU is committed to community partnerships and engagement, such as working with SquareOne,” said Dr. Dave Witty, Provost and Vice-President Academic. “This opportunity to collaborate with SquareOne provides access to students who have great business ideas, while removing financial barriers to student entrepreneurs.”

The idea to pursue a partnership with VIU came about last fall when VIU and community business partners held the first-ever VIU Student Business Plan Competition. The competition attracted more than 30 student entries, and concluded with a spirited ‘Dragon’s Den-style’ pitchfest to determine winners.

“There is a great entrepreneurial spirit up at VIU,” noted Wolff, who added she is looking forward to welcoming students to the SquareOne community.

Students interesting in applying for the SquareOne co-op desks can apply at http://thinkbigatsquareone.com/contact/#space-request where they can note their status as a VIU student.

-30-

For more information on SquareOne seewww.thinkbigatsquareone.com.