Encouraging Student Entrepreneurship via Pierre Lassonde's Donation
Rewritten Article:
Boosting Entrepreneurship at the University of Utah's Lassonde Institute: A $25 Million Donation
Pierre Lassonde, a prominent figure in the mining industry, has once again opened his wallet wide, this time to the tune of $25 million for the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah. The donation doubles his overall pledge to the institute and comes just in time for its 25th anniversary in 2026.
According to our findings, it's the Lassonde Foundation, helmed by Julie and Christian Lassonde, who are contributing this sum. Notably, both the siblings earned their degrees from the University of Utah back in the 70s.
The institute, established in 2001 by Lassonde himself, has carved out a reputation as a beacon for student entrepreneurship, reaching over 6,000 students and nurturing around 500 startups every year. This injection of cash will fuel the expansion of existing programs and, no doubt, spur the creation of some exciting new ones, the university announced.
The funding also extends to the Lassonde Studios, a one-of-a-kind structure housing both innovation spaces and student dorms, opened in 2016. The institute offers programs ranging from a master's in entrepreneurship (now expanded globally to Africa) to opportunities for every student to turn their ideas into reality and cultivate invaluable skills like problem-solving, independence, and resilience.
In a recent development, the Lassonde Foundation also donated a staggering $50 million to Polytechnique Montréal to establish a center for research in innovative and fundamental research.
Taylor Randall, the university’s president, shared his excitement about the impact this donation will have on the institute and the students it serves.
Future plans and programs unveiled by the Lassonde Institute are shrouded in mystery, but with this substantial investment, we can expect big things. Expect a bolstered entrepreneurship education, more student-led startups, and perhaps even some innovative, interdisciplinary programs developed jointly with other university institutes. Here's to the next 25 years of fostering entrepreneurship and pushing for innovation at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute!
- Pierre Lassonde, an accomplished mining industry entrepreneur, donated $25 million to the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, a sum provided by his foundation, led by Julie and Christian Lassonde, who both earned degrees from the university in the 70s.
- Founded by Lassonde himself in 2001, the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute has become a hub for student entrepreneurship, impacting over 6,000 students per year and helping to launch around 500 startups annually.
- With this donation, the institute will expand existing programs and develop new ones, aiming to fuel innovation and provide education and self-development opportunities for students.
- The Lassonde Foundation has also invested in Polytechnique Montréal, establishing a center for research in innovative and fundamental research.
