Follett Family Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE)

Welcome to the CIE!

NCC's Follett Family Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is a space that gives flight to the imagination. It's easy to picture a future Oprah Winfrey in one of the brainstorming nooks, designing plans for a media empire. Or a would-be Steve Jobs, hunched over a computer and furiously typing. At workstations in the center's Fab Lab, you can visualize the next Thomas Edison creating a prototype for a world-changing invention.

 

Even a future J.K. Rowling, sipping a cup of coffee from the Southside Center's new eatery The Zime, as she takes advantage of the natural light and the space designed to enhance creativity, allowing the surroundings to inspire a magical new world.

 

Or a conference table full of students and community members strategizing the next big thing. The CIE is different for it gives the underprivileged and underserved entrepreneurial thinkers a platform to bring their ideas into reality.

 

The CIE understands entrepreneurship as a process of discovering opportunities. We understand entrepreneurial mindset as a set of skills that increase motivation. We embrace hustle, grit, and resiliency because they are the means by which we make our communities better, and help individuals to reach their full potential.



Mission, Vision & Values

To foster innovative thinking and creative use of technology to develop life skills that drive the mindset of success.

We are the college and community resource committed to supporting innovative thinking and entrepreneurial actions.

  • Community: We are of, and for, a just and equitable community
  • Creativity: We value collective and diverse imagination - any idea can be realized
  • Curiosity and Innovation: We promote the discovery of inventive solutions to a wide range of business and social problems
  • Opportunity: We embrace risks and learn from failure(s)
  • Support: We are a collaborative space to exercise bravery and work through the intimidation of new and challenging ideas



CIE working space
Our Story

Explore the rich history of the CIE from conceptualization to reality.

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fowler family southside center lobby
Our Team

Meet the people behind the CIE that foster its growth and programming.

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adults walking in hallway
Our Advisory Board

Meet the members of our board whose ideas continue to help propel our mission forward.

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Start-Up Bootcamp

The 10 Week Startup Boot Camp is a structured program that provides resources, preparation, and mentoring to Northampton Community College students interested in developing an idea they have been working on.

entrepreneur in residence interview
Entrepreneur in Residence

See the area leaders who have served as our Entrepreneurs in Residece.

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one million cups meeting in CIE
One Million Cups

This weekly event founded by the Kauffman Foundation takes place Wednesdays at 9am.

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Classes & Contact Information

Check out these links for more information about our upcoming programs and classes or to get in touch with our team.

Innovate and inspire at NCC's Fab Lab!

NCC's Fab Lab offers access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, expert instruction and enrollment for non-credit classes. Equipped with Woodworking, Metalworking, Molding & Casting, Woodturning, Recording Studio, Electronic Programming and Graphical Equipment, the Fab Lab is sure to have something for everyone! 

Next Steps

With 120+ high-quality programs at a highly affordable cost, you can build specialized skills to advance in your career path — fast. And with flexible class formats and convenient locations, it's never been easier to join us.