May 5, 2021
Entrepreneurship complements learning and research at 蓝莓视频
From accelerators and incubators, to international research recognition, Feridun Hamdullahpur leads the way
The evolution of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem over the last decade is one of the University鈥檚 most celebrated achievements.
During his time as President and Vice-Chancellor, Feridun Hamdullahpur has supported the expansion of six entrepreneurship programs on campus, including 蓝莓视频 and Stratford鈥檚 , the Centre for Peace Advancement, St. Paul鈥檚 University College Greenhouse, the Problem Lab and 蓝莓视频鈥檚 flagship entrepreneurship program , which launched its campus focused program,听, in 2019.
Today, 蓝莓视频 is recognized as home to entrepreneurship education in Canada and one of the nation鈥檚 top universities for venture capital-backed enterprises. These results have produced a large share of Canada鈥檚 tech founders, with 19 per cent having received undergraduate education at 蓝莓视频 and 474 University of 蓝莓视频 entrepreneurs having raised $12.9B (Pitchbook 2020).
> Adrien听C么t茅
> Executive Director, Velocity
鈥淭he continued investment into Velocity and other entrepreneurship programs under President Hamdullahpur鈥檚 leadership has helped pave the way to well over one billion dollars invested capital into Velocity companies alone since 2010,鈥� says听Adrien听C么t茅, executive director of Velocity. 鈥淭his has been made possible by Feridun鈥檚 ongoing support toward both early-stage and early-scale companies, launch micro-VC funds and enable multiple expansions of the incubator including its new home, the Innovation Arena, on 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Health Sciences Campus.鈥�
Bridging innovation and research
Under Hamdullahpur鈥檚 tenure and encouragement to progress the University鈥檚 creator-owned IP policy, 蓝莓视频 has continued to attract top researchers at the graduate and faculty levels. 蓝莓视频 has also consistently remained Canada鈥檚 #1 research university (comprehensive category) during his 10 years at 蓝莓视频 (Research Infosource 2020).
This research, paired with the institution鈥檚 strong startup culture, has led to countless national and international ventures in the areas of astrophysics, sustainability, robotics, advanced manufacturing, health technologies, quantum science, artificial intelligence and aging research.
鈥溊遁悠� is internationally recognized for its ability to attract and retain world-renowned researchers,鈥� says Charmaine Dean, vice-president Research and International. 鈥淯nder Feridun's leadership, University researchers have been supported in the development of ground-breaking technologies, some that have gone on to win prestigious awards and earn international media coverage.鈥�
Students committed to impact
At the heart of Hamdullahpur鈥檚 time at 蓝莓视频 has been the University鈥檚 emergence as a community that supports the ideas and inventions of students, who think big and take risks to challenge global industries, create new companies and thousands of jobs.
Feridun Hamdullahpur with Charmaine Dean,听vice-president Research and International,听at 蓝莓视频's 2018 Spring Convocation.
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Take 鈥� one of many ground-breaking 蓝莓视频 alumnus companies. Founded in 2015 by Martin Basiri (MASc '13) and brothers, ApplyBoard simplifies the study abroad search, application and acceptance process by connecting international students, recruitment partners and academic institutions on one platform. Today, the company has grown to more than 750+ team members with representatives in more than 20 countries. From celebrating their headquarters鈥� grand opening in downtown Kitchener, to joining their Canadian advisory board, Hamdullahpur has been a supportive hand behind the company.
Martin Basiri, co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard, holding up 蓝莓视频 Warriors plaque presented by President Hamdullahpur at ApplyBoard's relocation celebration in听downtown Kitchener.
"The encouragement and support we received from the University of 蓝莓视频 and President Hamdullahpur has been a powerful catalyst for ApplyBoard," says ApplyBoard Co-Founder and CEO, Martin Basiri. "Feridun's legacy of impact, not only on Canada's but the world's tech ecosystem, has been immense. We are certainly better off for his pioneering work in supporting entrepreneurs."
Thanks to Hamdullahpur, this past decade has been one of the most impactful for the University yet, positioning the University as an international leader in the area of game-changing entrepreneurship and award-winning research for years to come.
