Millions in funding to go to business school entrepreneurs

The John Dobson Foundation, which supports entrepreneurial activities in Canada, is donating $2 million to the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship at the Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University.

The school will use this money to help fund the McGill X-1 Accelerator program, an intensive summer program which accelerates the growth of later-stage McGill start-ups toward investment and launch. This year’s program includes eight McGill science or technology businesses.

Ari Kiriazidis, President of the John Dobson Foundation, says, “The Foundation is delighted to continue Dobson’s long-standing relationship with McGill with what represents one of the largest gifts ever granted by the Foundation’s Board. The Board is extremely proud to be associated with one of the most prestigious universities in Canada through the Dobson Centre and its various programs.”

Randy Kelly, John Dobson’s long-time partner and Chief Executive Officer of Formula Growth, as well as Chairman of the Dobson Foundation, noted, “McGill was always close to John’s heart and he would be very pleased with the continued commitment.”

The donation signals a time of crucial development for the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou of Desautels remarks, “Through the vision and generosity of the John Dobson Foundation, the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship is affirmed as the leading hub for entrepreneurship on campus. In classrooms, research labs, and across the University, McGill is full of ideas and talented individuals driven to innovate. Thanks to this donation, the McGill X-1 Accelerator will catalyze our community of innovators and entrepreneurs.”

Professor Gregory Vit, Director of the McGill Dobson Centre, notes, “The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship has played a central role in creating young McGill entrepreneurs. Many recent McGill startups have had an important impact on the economies of Montreal and Quebec. This significant gift made by the John Dobson Foundation will ensure that we continue to serve the vibrant entrepreneurship culture at McGill University. I’m highly confident that our entrepreneurs, in the not too distant future, will have a major positive impact on the planet.”

The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship has grown considerably since its founding in 1988 under the late John Dobson (BCom’64), a known advocate for free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Since then, the McGill Dobson Centre has played a central role in advancing entrepreneurial innovation and discovery at McGill. Through its flagship annual startup competition, the McGill Dobson Cup, and other initiatives that have followed, including the McGill X-1 Accelerator, the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship has offered mentorship to more than 2,200 McGill entrepreneurs, and launched more than 125 successful startups that today employ over 1,200 people and have raised over $100 million in venture funding.

About the John Dobson Foundation

In 1986, John Dobson established The John Dobson Foundation to help educate the public with respect to investing, the free enterprise system and entrepreneurial activities in Canada. One of the first activities of the Foundation was the creation of the Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship at McGill University in 1989. The Dobson Foundation has supported entrepreneurial development at more than a dozen other Canadian universities, as well as numerous other community entrepreneurial efforts including being one of the original sponsors of Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (now Enactus Canada). The Dobson Foundation involvement with entrepreneurship over 30 years has resulted in the establishment of a large regional and national network of educators and small business interveners creating unprecedented synergy and cooperation. The Foundation also supports many Canadian economic Think Tanks that help Canadians understand the strength of the Free Enterprise system. It also has had an important role in educating young Canadians in the power of compounding returns through sound investing and saving principles.

About the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship

The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship is the hub of entrepreneurial activity at McGill University. Its mission is to find, teach, and develop world-class entrepreneurs at McGill through tailored education, applied entrepreneurial frameworks, and iterative mentorship. The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship offers a portfolio of programming to meet its mandate, which includes: the McGill Dobson Cup, the McGill X-1 Accelerator, and the McGill Lean Startup Program.
Website: www.mcgill.ca.dobson
Blog: www.dobsonchronicles.com

About the Desautels Faculty of Management

Founded in 1906, the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University is ranked as one of the world’s top international business schools by BusinessWeek, Canadian Business, Forbes and The Economist. The Faculty’s innovative programs and historic reputation for excellence continue to attract the finest students and the most prominent professors from around the globe, as well as the most demanding recruiters from the world’s top employers.

Desautels houses numerous research centres and academic programs at the undergraduate, masters, executive, and PhD levels. The curriculum is built on an integrated, interdisciplinary model that combines research, practice, and teaching. This valuable, holistic approach prepares students to successfully manage and lead in today’s increasingly interconnected world.

For more information, contact Natalie Bishop of BlueSky PR on natalie@bluesky-pr.com