In June 2004, Trent University in partnership with Fleming College and the Ministry of Natural Resources began the Greater Peterborough DNA Cluster; a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs from the area bring their innovative ideas to a reality. Now, the organization has a new name, new direction, and new space to continue in the goal of helping new businesses become a reality throughout Peterborough region.

The Innovation Cluster officially opened their doors to its new and improved downtown business incubation space, The Cube, in the VentureNorth Building on April 19. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the space will give technology-based entrepreneurs from across the region a collaborative space with the goal of becoming the creative hub for new business in the area.

For Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of Research and Innovation at Trent University, it was an exciting day to see how far the original vision has evolved into an organization now focused on supporting the people who come to the Innovation Cluster with ideas.

“The partnership has evolved and expanded, the name has changed twice, but the mission of enabling technical innovations to go from ideas to commercialization remains the same,” said Professor Emery at the launch event.

Prof. Emery says that Trent shares the same goal that the Innovation Cluster holds. Trent strives to provide students with the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship as a potential career option, and help those with great ideas for new ventures convert their dreams into reality.

Prof. Emery also highlighted the advent of the company Noblegen as a product of the partnership between the Innovation Cluster and Trent. Noblegen was the first Cube company client, and became the first company to take residence in the Innovation Cluster Accelerator at Trent. He highlighted that, today, Noblegen is growing and looks to become the first tenant in the new Trent Research and Innovation Park.