News & Events

TORONTO, June 21, 2016 – The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) at Ryerson University officially launched with the opening of its new offices last evening. The policy-focused institute is dedicated to making Canada the best country in the world to be an innovator or an entrepreneur.

“Supporting innovators and entrepreneurs is integral to Canada’s future productivity, economic prosperity and social well-being,” said Sean Mullin, Executive Director of the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship. “As a country, we need to get the underlying policies and supports right, to give our innovators and entrepreneurs the highest chance of success.”

BII+E’s official launch took place yesterday evening during a VIP event attended by 200 industry and community leaders. Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship Honorary Chair Sheldon Levy stated, “The Institute is uniquely positioned to address the challenges facing the Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, by focusing on the how, and not just the what.”

BII+E will conduct forward-thinking research and analysis grounded in a network of experts and in the experiences of actual players in this field. It will also test, pilot and prototype projects and policy solutions to craft advice for the public sector, and demonstrate leadership and advocacy on behalf of supporting innovators and entrepreneurs across the country.  BII+E also announced its inaugural fellows, selected for their diverse experience and significant contributions to Canada’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

BII+E was made possible by the vision of two long-time collaborators: former Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy and Jack Cockwell, through Brookfield Partners Foundation donation of $16 million. “I am particularly appreciative of the support provided by Jack Cockwell and the Brookfield Partners Foundation. Without their generous gift, it would not have been possible to launch this new institute,” added Levy.

The Institute’s public launch follows on the recent release of its first—and widely cited—report, The Talented Mr. Robot: The impact of automation on the Canadian workforce. BII+E has also released a new tool, A Compass to Canada’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship, helping users navigate the rich tapestry of Canada’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“We’re very proud to officially announce our arrival to the world,” said Mullin. “Entrepreneurship and innovation are Canada’s future, and the Brookfield Institute is here to help create the environment for our future leaders to thrive.”

The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) is a new independent and nonpartisan institute, housed within Ryerson University, that is dedicated to making Canada the best country in the world to be an innovator or an entrepreneur. BII+E supports this mission in three ways: insightful research and analysis; testing, piloting and prototyping projects; which informs BII+E’s leadership and advocacy on behalf of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. For more information, visit www.brookfieldinstitute.ca.

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, and is home to more than home to more than 41,500 students, including 2,400 master's and PhD students, 3,200 faculty and staff, and nearly 170,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Coralie D’Souza
Director of Communications, Community Relations + Events
Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship
Ryerson University │ Office: 647.390.3178
coralie.dsouza@ryerson.ca │ Follow us @BrookfieldIIE