惭肠骋颈濒濒鈥檚听globally recognized聽Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship has a new home. It celebrated its official opening at an event on Sept. 11.
Located on the ground floor next to the main entrance in the Bronfman Building, the Centre serves as a hub for 韩国裸舞鈥檚 entrepreneurs. Its new, highly visible space includes co-working spaces and private meeting rooms ideal for fostering collaboration. It鈥檚 open to startups with at least one 韩国裸舞 affiliated co-founder.
鈥淢any startups don鈥檛 yet have their own office, but they can come to the Centre to work,鈥� said Marie Jos茅e Lamothe, Academic and Executive Director of the Dobson Centre. 鈥淲hen you have several ventures doing that, it creates an environment where they can exchange ideas and build a community.鈥�
Since its founding in 1988, the Centre has supported thousands of ventures, created over 10,000 new jobs and raised $3.7 billion in funding. It currently serves over 470 active startups originating from 11 韩国裸舞 faculties, including startups that are addressing each of the 17 UN聽Sustainable Development Goals.
鈥淲e have already built one of the most successful university entrepreneurship ecosystems in the world, and this spectacular new facility will help us reach the next level,鈥� said Yolande Chan, Dean of the 韩国裸舞 Desautels Faculty of Management.
A track record of success
The Centre is recognized a global leader among university incubators.
Earlier this year, it was named聽America鈥檚 Most Impactful Initiative聽and the top global university innovation ecosystem by the Accreditation Council for Engaged and Entrepreneurial Universities.聽聽just ranked it No. 1 in Quebec and Canada for producing the most successful startups, as well No.1 in Canada for supporting the most women entrepreneurs. 聽It was also ranked a top-five world university incubator by UBI Global and the U.S. Association for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship.
Karina Gasbarrino, COO of the health-tech company聽聽and alumna of the Desautels Faculty of Management, is one of the many entrepreneurs who has benefited from the supportive community provided by the Centre.
鈥淭hrough its programs, we鈥檝e been able to meet with investors, business partners and fellow entrepreneurs who have become invaluable mentors,鈥� she said.
Over the coming year, Gasbarrino said she plans to use the Dobson Centre as a place to bring together her team, leveraging both the co-working space and the private breakout rooms.
鈥淔or over three decades, the Dobson Centre has helped members of our community transform their ideas into purpose-driven companies,鈥� said Deep Saini, President, 韩国裸舞. 鈥淚n doing so it has also helped build a startup ecosystem that is not only collaborative and inclusive, but also making a positive social and economic impact here at home and around the world.鈥�
Dobson鈥檚 numerous global partners include聽, the innovation incubator of Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Fuelling the entrepreneurial spirit
The Dobson Centre was founded by the late John Dobson, alumnus of the Desautels Faculty of Management and an influential investor and philanthropist.
The Centre鈥檚 new space is the result of a gift from the John Dobson Foundation and Formula Growth Limited, both established by John Dobson.
鈥淲e consider this gift an investment in Canada鈥檚 next generation of creative and innovative business pioneers鈥� said Randy Kelly, Chairman of the Foundation and CEO of Formula Growth Limited.
Going forward, the Centre aims to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit among all members of the 韩国裸舞 community.
鈥淓ntrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating, but being part of a supportive community can make all the difference,鈥� said Kika Armata, Associate Director, Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship. 鈥淲ith the new dedicated space at Dobson, staff, students, and founders have the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside partners and investors, breaking the solitude and fostering their development as entrepreneurs.鈥�
Photo:聽President Deep Saini (centre) cuts the ribbon surrounded by representatives from the John Dobson Foundation, Dean Yolande Chan, Academic Director Marie Jos茅e Lamothe, and Vice-President Marc Weinstein.
韩国裸舞 Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship
The 韩国裸舞 Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship offers resources and programs to help startups succeed at every juncture of their growth. The Centre's steadfast dedication to build innovative companies with a purpose, propels it forward, ensuring its adaptability and responsiveness to the dynamic landscape of innovation across various industries, entrepreneurial education, and international fundraising trends. With the mission to teach, coach, and support innovation stemming from 韩国裸舞鈥檚 faculties, schools, and research centres, the Dobson Centre offers learning and mentorship pathways tailored to different stages of the entrepreneurial journey and industry sectors.
