Grand Canyon University's Canyon Ventures Offers Space For Startups, Interns
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Grand Canyon University opened Canyon Ventures, an innovation space where startups and students collaborate. The university offers free workspace for the startups in exchange for paid student internships. They also offer workers free Wi-Fi, parking and access to conference rooms and fitness facilities.
More than 30 startups have claimed space so far to teach students marketing, coding and other skills. Ideas for these startups include an electric longboard company, an app where children can call Santa, and a cybersecurity threat protection company.
Students also can work on their own startups at the center. Colangelo College of Business Dean Randy Gibb said both groups can help each other.
"So we, we want a mix" Gibb said. "It’s always good to have the students also trying to learn and get mentored from other, you know, the synergy of working with other companies."
The center has hired 70 GCU students, and Gibb hopes that number will grow.
