Dreams ignite here within these walls. Today we stand before the Entrepreneurship Centre, Hauser Forum. It is more than just a building. It is a launchpad for innovation and a testament to Cambridge’s entrepreneurial spirit.
The Entrepreneurship Centre, Hauser Forum stands as a gateway to the University’s West Cambridge technology campus. This campus is key to the University’s future. It houses forward-thinking departments. These include Nanotechnology and Physics for Medicine.
The Entrepreneurship Centre, Hauser Forum itself provides office and research facilities. These are for small start-up companies. They develop spin-off technology. This technology comes from scientific research programs within the University. The Hauser Forum fosters the exchange of ideas. This happens across disciplines in a relaxed atmosphere. The large oversailing canopy unites the building elements. It shelters a public plaza.
The Entrepreneurship Centre, Hauser Forum consists of three key elements. These are an incubator building, a Research and Development building, and a large café space. Academics and visitors meet at the cafe. They come from across the campus.
The Hauser Forum was made possible by Hermann Hauser and Pamela Raspe. They provided major benefaction. The East of England Development Agency also provided a grant. Work began in September 2008. The forum is the new home of Cambridge Enterprise. Cambridge Enterprise is the University of Cambridge’s commercialisation office.
The Hauser Forum plays a central role. It sets the future agenda for innovation. This is for the University and the UK economy. The forum also features an ‘ideaSpace’. This supports emerging innovations. It links them with entrepreneurial activities. These activities occur within the University and around the East of England.
The adjacent Broers Building is named in honour of Lord Broers. He is the former University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor. It is a centre where enterprises can lease space. They work in partnership with researchers.
The Hauser Forum boasts environmental features. It has extensive sunshading. This minimizes solar gain. A labyrinth below the building pre-cools incoming air. Ground source heat pumps are utilized. An attenuation pond and reed beds filter run-off water. The development achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Consider the Structural Steel Design Award. The Hauser Forum received it in 2011. This award recognizes the building’s design.
As you explore the Entrepreneurship Centre, Hauser Forum, remember its purpose. It’s a place where ideas take flight. It’s a place where collaboration thrives. It is the heart of Cambridge’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Take a moment to appreciate the vision. The Hauser Forum is a space where the future is being built.