Roundhouse is a coworking space and entrepreneurial incubator focused on fostering a community of changemakers. Our goal is to find solutions that are better, fairer and greener. We want to change the world, but we can’t do it alone. As of February 2018, our doors are open for social change.

Who we are:

● Open in February 2018

● Edmonton’s social innovation hub is housed in the southeast corner of MacEwan University’s Allard Hall (11104 104 Ave ). We’re a neutral space where entrepreneurs, social changemakers, students, faculty, alumni and community are welcome to connect, learn and access valuable resources that we hope can guide them in a positive direction.

Our Story:

Our brand was built around the idea of collaboration and coworking for a better tomorrow, and the name “Roundhouse” was inspired by two important elements:

1. During construction, and old railway was unearthed and a circular infrastructure discovered - a roundhouse. It was used for train cars to enter, load their goods and exit in a different direction - which is the perfect metaphor for our coworking space and programs.

2. In building the brand, our team came upon a 13 sided shape - a Triscadecagon - and built it into our logo to represent the First Nations talking circle where all voices have importance. It symbolizes the welcoming culture we are creating at Roundhouse.

Goal/What we do:

What we do We’re growing a community of changemakers

○ We help creative minds develop innovative ideas, projects and enterprises that have positive impact on society and environment (locally and globally)

○ Roundhouse works collaboratively with the Social Innovation Institute to foster a culture of social innovation in Edmonton and beyond. We are incubating and nurturing social change projects and enterprises with MacEwan learning and research.

We have a dual mission (we’re complicated like that)

○ Roundhouse helps to foster an impact on campus and in the community while balancing a viable business model through collaboration.

Our Culture

Our Vision: Change the world with good ideas

Our Values: *We’re providing the expanded version for context, open to simplifying as needed for squarespace.*

Connection: We’re all responsible for our world. And we’re stronger together. We exist to help people from the community converge, connect, and create relationships that help their businesses and themselves. When we work together to make real change, we all win.

Support: We’re here to support members, their ideas, and the people who those ideas will help. By creating an atmosphere of optimism, we empower our members to turn seemingly small ideas into big change and create a positive effect in our city, our province, our world.

Growth: We want to become a machine for social change. To kickstart a cycle of mentors helping others to find success and become mentors themselves. To be a place where ideas can thrive and people can test the boundaries of what they can do. To constantly grow, be better, and do better. Respect: We respect our past, the hard work that got us to where we are today, and the people who come to our space to make a difference. We know that everyone brings a new skill, experience, or perspective to the conversation. And we do our best to make sure they feel heard.

About the Social Innovation Institute

The MacEwan University Social Innovation Institute (SII), in partnership with Roundhouse, provides leadership and support towards fostering a culture of social innovation in Edmonton and beyond.

By engaging changemakers, social innovators and social entrepreneurs, the institute will support initiatives that can create positive social impact locally, regionally and globally. The SII focuses on developing student changemakers, through teaching and research that is cross-disciplinary and community-engaged.

Projects may focus on specific challenges presented by strategic partners.

Success is determined through student learning and social impact. The SII reports directly to the Provost, and is guided by an Advisory Council comprised of MacEwan faculty, administrators and students, as well as community leaders.

Opportunities to be involved are available through committees which may focus on initiatives including, but not limited to, community service-learning, community-engaged research, interdisciplinary collaborations and curricular innovations.

For any questions regarding the SII, please contact Heather Braid: heather.braid@macewan.ca

Related events