Beinvenue. Pjila’si. Welcome.

Welcome to the Centre for Research and Innovation in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

About the CRI

The Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) is Corner Brook’s hub of creativity and entrepreneurship, applied research, community engagement, and learning, where energy, ideas and technology collide.  Our goal is to reinvigorate our region by fostering a culture of innovation. We are home to Corner Brook’s Makerspace, Navigate’s Incubator program, and accessible co-working spaces.

  • A makerspace is a collaborative, community-based workspace stocked with tools  and materials for people to experiment and create new products.

  • An incubator is a physical location that provides a defined set of services to new entrepreneurs or small businesses.

  • Co-working spaces house a collection of people who work independently, but who share values for shared working arrangements and collaboration and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working together.

Come and explore our space and let your ideas, questions, and projects come to life.  

The CRI is designed to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive culture. It serves as a critical space for fostering partnerships and innovation that support the academic and creative pursuits of its users.

The CRI is made up of three aspects: an innovation centre, a research program, and training.  

Designed for you.

Innovation Centre
Research
Training

Our Funders

The Centre of Research and Innovation Project is a collaborative effort between Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland (GC), the College of the North Atlantic (CNA), and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPPL).

We are funded by ACOA, IET, The City of Corner Brook, and Memorial University. Our training and micro-credentials are funded by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s LAMPSS program.

Our Team

Todd is an Associate Professor with the Theatre Program (School of Fine Arts, Grenfell Campus). A theatre director for over 30 years, Todd has recently focused on immersive storytelling, which includes research into Virtual and Augmented Reality as well as performativity in Tabletop Role Playing Games. Todd’s spare time is spent in the shop at the CRI, trying to learn how to make stuff. You can reach Todd at todd.hennessey@cricornerbrook.ca

Todd Hennessey

Director

Mery is CRI’s project manager, and her role focuses on developing our educational offerings through workshops, courses, micro credentials, and certificates. Her academic background includes psychology, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Rural Community Development. Mery is a musician and enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs. You can reach Mery at mery.perez@cricornerbrook.ca

Mery Perez

Project Manager

Kellie is the Navigate Incubator Manager @CRI and she is happy to chat with you about your entrepreneurial pursuits! Kellie loves AR/VR/XR and dark chocolate! Please pop by her office or send her an email to schedule a time to connect. You can reach her at kfay@mun.ca

Kellie Fay

Navigate Incubator Manager

Neil ensures our Makerspace is a welcoming place where the community can imagine, create, and prototype products using both traditional techniques and new digital technologies. You can reach Neil at neil.nordeje@cricornerbrook.ca

Neil Nordeje

Makerspace Coordinator

The Administrative Assistant ensures our Makerspace and Building operations are running smoothly.

[Vacant]

Administrative Assistant

Something for Everyone

Our Makerspace takes up two floors and has everything you need to get making!

Need a quiet place to work or a space to meet and chat? Check out what the CRI has to offer!

What’s on the go? There’s plenty to do at the CRI! Consider joining one of our many events.