Home of Mercer Innovation Center Dedicated at Stetson School

The Mercer University – Eugene W. Stetson School of Business & Economics recently dedicated the home of the Mercer Innovation Center as the Dr. Hugh F. Smission III Complex.

The complex’s namesake, Dr. Hugh F. Smission, is a Macon native and the founder of the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, whose financial contribution helped make the Center a possibility. The Mercer Innovation Center launched in November of 2015, combining the efforts of leaders throughout the university to create an up-and-coming community of entrepreneurs.

The 10,000-square-foot Smission Complex will house the Center, featuring modern design elements and technology such as a 1-gigabit-per-second broadband service. The Complex is located across the street from Mercer’s newest $44 million undergraduate science building, which will be completed next year, and is mere steps away from the Stetson School of Business and Economics.

The Center is working alongside several local organizations which support entrepreneurship, such as the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, NewTow Macon’s SCORE program and the downtown incubator SparkMacon.

Each year, the Mercer Innovation Fellowship opens its doors for competitive entrepreneurs from around the world. Last year, two new startups—KUDU Safari Braai and HeadNoise—were awarded with one year of housing and office space in the Complex.

Chaired by Macon entrepreneur Stewart Vernon, a 14-member advisory board works alongside the Center to offer mentoring opportunities and guidance. The board is also responsible for assembling a $2 million venture to invest in startups.

Additional contributors to the Mercer Innovation Center included Georgia Pine Level Foundation, Birch Communications, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and several others which were recognized at the dedication ceremony.

regions: Atlanta

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