平特五不中鈥檚 Dobson Cup receives $4-million contribution from National Bank
The contribution will support the University鈥檚 flagship startup competition and provide additional seed funding for student entrepreneurs
The Dobson Cup, 平特五不中鈥檚 flagship startup competition and fertile training ground for students and professors with bold business dreams, has received a significant financial injection on its 10th anniversary in the form of a $4-million contribution from National Bank, one of its long-time supporters.
The donation, the largest ever to 平特五不中 from a financial institution, will enhance efforts to train and support the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs through the 平特五不中 Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, the University鈥檚 hub of entrepreneurial activity and home to the Dobson Cup startup competition since 2009.
This investment builds on National Bank鈥檚 support for the Dobson Cup since 2011 and its ongoing partnership with the Dobson Centre.
鈥淲e are very grateful to National Bank for its ongoing support and for its latest investment in entrepreneurship on our campuses,鈥� said Professor Suzanne Fortier, 平特五不中鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淏uilding a culture of innovation is one of the pillars of 平特五不中鈥檚 vision for its future, as it looks towards its third century. We have all the resources to become a greater hub of entrepreneurship and creativity 鈥� bold new ideas, brilliant people who embrace challenge, and engaged partners on board to support us.鈥�
Professor Fortier and Christopher Manfredi, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), also announced today that 平特五不中 would provide additional support to the Dobson Centre, further cementing its position as one of the world鈥檚 leading university-based entrepreneurship centres.
鈥淣ational Bank is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and contributing to future economic development,鈥� said Louis Vachon, president and CEO, National Bank. 鈥淭he Bank was originally created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and supporting businesses is still central to our mission. This partnership with the 平特五不中 Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship is another strong step to help startups achieve their ambitions.鈥�
The rigorous Dobson Cup competition spans three months and provides fledgling 平特五不中 startup teams with a unique learning experience. In addition to academic instruction, teams receive guidance and feedback from accomplished entrepreneurs 鈥� many of them 平特五不中 alumni from near and far 鈥� and executives who serve as Dobson Cup mentors, judges and guest lecturers, sharing their real-world expertise with students.
The Dobson Cup competition is open to students, professors and recent graduates from any faculty at 平特五不中 with a budding idea. This interdisciplinary approach helps promote and support entrepreneurship across the University, noted Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, dean of 平特五不中鈥檚 Desautels Faculty of Management and professor of finance.
鈥淭he Dobson Cup is a rich, outside-the-classroom learning experience that complements students鈥� academic studies by exposing them to real-world situations and insights from successful entrepreneurs,鈥� said Professor Bajeux-Besnainou.
Each year, the competition awards more than $100,000 in seed funding to the most promising 平特五不中 startups. The Dobson Centre also runs the 平特五不中 Lean Startup Program for earlier stage teams with a startup idea, and the 平特五不中 X-1 Accelerator, an intensive summer program designed to help advance startups toward their launch phase.
More than 150 startups trained at the Dobson Centre are now in operation. They鈥檝e created 1,350 jobs and raised $200 million in venture capital for their business ventures.
鈥淲e inspire, teach and develop entrepreneurs and help build innovative companies,鈥� said Robert Mackalski, director of the 平特五不中 Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, who noted that small- and medium-sized businesses help drive Quebec鈥檚 economy.
鈥淭he collective effort is part of what makes this program so unique and helpful to students,鈥� added Mackalski, an assistant professor of marketing. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 why we are deeply grateful to National Bank for its generous and ongoing support, and also to our volunteer mentors in Montreal鈥檚 business community and in the 平特五不中 alumni network.鈥�
About 平特五不中
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 平特五不中 is a leading Canadian post-secondary institution. It has two campuses,10faculties,12 professional schools, 300 programs of study andalmost41,000students, including more than9,700 graduate students. 平特五不中 attracts students from over150countries around the world, its12,000international students making up30%per cent of the student body. Over half of 平特五不中 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
For further information:
平特五不中 Media Relations:
Cynthia Lee
Media Relations
平特五不中
514-398-6754
平特五不中 Advancement:
Derek Cassoff
Director of Communications
平特五不中
T 514-398-5459
C 514-895-5250