Bringing Ideas to Life Together: A Tour of U of G’s John F. Wood Centre

An entrepreneurial spirit lives among many of us and businesses and ideas abound in communities like university campuses, where idea generation, research, and education intersect. At the John F. Wood Centre for Business and Economics, University of Guelph (U of G) students campus wide can take advantage of opportunities to bring their ideas to life.

Whether studying business or another discipline, U of G students can benefit from the Wood Centre's free resources—including advanced equipment like lasers, 3D printers and scanners, embroiderers, crickets, button makers, and microphones. To assist in the process, four dedicated engineering students are there every day to support and guide students through their projects. The primary focus of the centre is to encourage small businesses and startup companies, but it's also perfect for those who just need to complete a quick task like personalizing a tote bag and buttons or integrating course materials into a project.

For those who want to use the Wood Centre to build their resume or to accomplish a goal, a wide range of workshops are available that offer invaluable experience for professional development. Completing just five workshops earns a badge for your Professional and Career Development Record (PCDR), which is a unique addition to a resume. While it’s possible to complete the workshops in one semester, the ideal pace is over four semesters. These workshops are ideal for students who are taking online courses and have the extra flexibility built into their study schedules.

One of the standout features of the Wood Centre is The Hub Incubator, which is comprised of three unique programs. The first of these programs is IdeaLab—a program designed to help students develop and refine their business ideas. IdeaLab is an inclusive program where everyone who applies gets a chance to participate. This program runs from mid-May to mid-June for students returning to school in September.

Following IdeaLab, students can apply to IgniteLab, which is more selective, accepting a maximum of 8 to 10 participants (four or five groups of two). This 10-week program takes place from September to November, offers $500 at the start, and another $500 upon completion. This program’s application deadline ends in early September.

The final step is LaunchLab, which focuses on bringing products to market. Participants receive $1,500 at the beginning and another $1,500 at the end of the program. This program operates from January to April.

The Wood Centre’s innovative labs provide mentorship and a structured environment to help turn concepts into viable businesses. This commitment to supporting students' entrepreneurial journeys—by offering resources, mentorship, and structured programming—helps bring ideas to life.

"As a student it is hard to find a space where I have access and support to bring my creative ideas to life," emphasizes Samantha Heard, Bachelor of Engineering student. "The Wood Centre welcomed me with open arms and supported me in making creative components to my school and personal projects like a t-shirt for a competition I was entering. They had access to tools I would never be able to afford at this point in my life and offered mentorship. I felt like I had found a community that made my school year a lot more fulfilling and personal. It can be hard to find direct mentorship and connection when there are so many students on campus and the Wood Centre provides that and so much more! I am already planning some projects I want to work on next year and am always telling my family and friends about how incredible this place is. I call it Guelph's hidden gem!"

To learn more, visit the John F. Wood Centre’s What We Do page and find out how you can grow your skills and launch your business ventures.