BOSTON, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- A cross-campus student innovation center at Boston University (BU), sponsored by a leading China-focused investment firm, was launched here on Thursday.

Drawing on a diverse network of skills, expertise and experience across the university, BUild Lab is designed as a place for students to attend hands-on workshops, make connections with mentors, find funding sources, and collaborate on projects, according to the lab's mission statement.

The innovation center was made possible by IDG Capital, China's first technology venture capital firm and a pioneer in this sector.

Hugo Shong, IDG Capital's global chairman, a BU alumnus as well as a trustee, said during the ribbon cutting ceremony that getting involved in entrepreneurship programs and getting to know venture capital are really helpful for a student's future career growth, and that is why IDG Capital is delighted to sponsor such a center.

Robert A. Brown, BU president, said the center helps like-minded students to develop skills and accelerate the ability to innovate and create. It is "the most fitting place to start up a start-up," he said.

A promising start-up is what IDG Capital is best positioned to spot. Founded in 1993, IDG Capital has grown into one of the world's leading investment firms.

With an expertise in technology and innovation, the company directed investment to many internet start-ups, and some of them have developed into China's household names like Baidu, Tencent and Sohu. Now managing over 20 billion U.S. dollars, IDG Capital has invested in over 600 companies.