Source: Press Release | January 24, 2025

Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, has announced that it has hired Craig Scharton to serve as the founding site director of the Charlotte location of Connect Labs by Wexford, the flexible, scale-in-place lab and innovation infrastructure offering located within Wexford’s dynamic and amenity-rich Knowledge Communities.  Connect Labs Charlotte is set to open in October 2025 at 905 Pearl Park Way, located within Wexford’s newest Knowledge Community, The Pearl, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Craig began his new role on January 13, 2025.  In this role, Craig will orchestrate the daily operations of Connect Labs and lead its dynamic team. Craig and the Connect Labs leadership team are currently building the Charlotte team, with future positions to be posted soon.

“I look forward to fostering a collaborative ecosystem of innovators, capital partners, and industry stakeholders, and driving life-science, engineering, and technology entrepreneurs towards achieving business milestones,” said Craig Scharton, Director of Connect Labs Charlotte.

Craig Scharton brings over 35 years of leadership experience spanning nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Craig has a wealth of expertise in fostering collaborative environments, driving community and economic development, and implementing innovative strategies to achieve meaningful outcomes. From managing multimillion-dollar projects to spearheading internationally recognized initiatives, Craig has consistently demonstrated his ability to integrate strategic vision with actionable results.

“I am excited to welcome Craig to the Connect Labs Charlotte team. Craig’s deep understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems, coupled with his people-oriented leadership style, positions him perfectly to lead Connect Labs Charlotte. His history of building vibrant, mission-focused teams and creating spaces that attract and retain businesses, funders, and community stakeholders aligns seamlessly with our goals. As the heart of Charlotte’s biomedical innovation ecosystem, Craig’s leadership will ensure Connect Labs thrives as a dynamic hub for collaboration, creativity, and growth,” said Travis Sheridan, Wexford’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Connect Labs.

Located on the seventh floor of 905 Pearl Park Way, Connect Labs Charlotte is 30,000 square feet of pre-built, fully furnished lab, office, and support spaces, tailored to meet the needs of emerging and growth-stage companies in life sciences, technology, robotics, and data science.

Connect Labs Charlotte offers both wet and dry lab spaces ranging from 300 to 2,500 square feet. The facility will also include 11 private offices and two open areas with dedicated desks, providing flexible solutions for diverse businesses looking to scale and innovate.
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Moreover, members of Connect Labs Charlotte will benefit from access to specialized shared equipment, negotiated rates on additional equipment, consumables, and supplies, as well as exclusive community events designed to foster collaboration and growth. Common amenities will include modern conference and huddle spaces, essential office equipment, a fully stocked kitchen, and centralized support services from a knowledgeable on-site team.

The inaugural mix of Connect Labs Charlotte tenants are currently being recruited. Connect Labs plans to house university and regional startups, capital providers, corporate innovation teams, teams focused on advancing health equity, and value-added services providers.

Connect Labs Charlotte is the fourth location of Connect Labs by Wexford and the first within the Southeast region of the United States. Connect Labs Charlotte builds on the success of Connect Labs Phoenix, currently home to 23 companies and research organizations across Phoenix, Arizona, and the newly opened Connect Labs Baltimore, home to Irazú Oncology, the Emerging Technology Center (ETC) Baltimore, and EPOCH Epigenetics, among others. Wexford’s third location, Connect Labs Sacramento is set to open in March 2025.

To schedule a tour, apply for a position, or learn more about Connect Labs by Wexford, please visit wexfordconnectlabs.com.

Learn More About Connect Labs Charlotte