E. A. Fernandez IDEA Factory

Innovate, Design, Engineer for Action

The E.A. Fernandez IDEA (Innovate, Design, Engineer for Action) Factory is designed as a hub of interdisciplinary innovation. Privately funded through philanthropic support, the IDEA Factory bridges engineering, arts, business, and science, providing cutting-edge resources to students, faculty, and partners tackling society’s grand challenges.

Innovation Footprint
60,000 sf
where big ideas find ample space to grow, enabling multidisciplinary teams to rapidly accelerate world-changing solutions from concept to reality.
specialized labs
20+
custom-built lab spaces to accelerate discovery and rapid experimentation critical for prototyping, testing, and refining breakthrough technologies.
visionary investment
$67m
in foundational philanthropic support. This entirely privately funded investment provides the cutting-edge infrastructure to build the future of innovation.

The launchpad for the xFoundry Alliance

The facility’s dynamic, open-design environment encourages collaboration across Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Athletics, Marketing, and Science (TEAMS), mirroring the real-world integration needed for scalable solutions.

Accelerating Innovation

  • Fuel innovation: Contribute resources (e.g. lab access, software, cloud computing, or pro expertise)
  • Launch careers: Offer internships/jobs to top-tier xFoundry students & alumniBack Breakthroughs: Become a first customer or investor in student ventures
  • Breakthroughs: Become a first customer or investor in student ventures

Built for action, designed for impact

  • Amplify visibility: Co-brand high-impact challenge domains 
  • Secure elite talent: Access curated pipelines from multidisciplinary TEAMS (Tech, Entrepreneurship, Arts, Marketing, Science)
  • Showcase leadership: Earn featured case studies spotlighting your social impact & innovation legacy

Take a look inside

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