DeGroote welcomes Tej Sandhu as inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence for the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge

July 22, 2025 ·

Contributed by: Chris Longtin, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University is proud to announce an important milestone: Tej Sandhu (BCom ‘10) has been engaged as the first Entrepreneur in Residence* for the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge at the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery.

Increasing the amount of industry and community leadership within the McLean Centre is a key element of DeGroote’s mission to foster innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking among business students and the broader McMaster community.

A visionary space for innovation

The Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge will be the physical home of entrepreneurship at McMaster. This dedicated space will support innovation at every stage—from ideation to scale—through mentorship, resources and experiential programs that turn ideas into impact.

These spaces will provide students across disciplines (programs/faculties) with mentorship, resources and experiential programs to empower them to turn their visions into reality.

Introducing Tej Sandhu: A champion of community and entrepreneurship

Tej Sandhu, a proud DeGroote alumnus, brings a wealth of experience and passion to students by serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence. Instilled with an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, when Sandhu was 16, he launched his first business without formal guidance or a built-in support system, a business he continued to run out of his dorm room while in first year at McMaster.

“Becoming DeGroote’s inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence feels like a full-circle moment and a chance to help build the kind of ecosystem I wish existed back then,” says Sandhu.

“After returning to Hamilton to found MERIT Brewing, I reconnected with McMaster and saw firsthand how entrepreneurship was becoming a core pillar of the university’s future. The Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge is a bold next step, and I’m excited to help shape it into a place where visionaries across disciplines can collide, collaborate and create real-world impact.”

After graduating from DeGroote, Sandhu explored entrepreneurial endeavours in the entertainment and creative industries before returning to his roots as the co-founder and CEO of MERIT Brewing in Hamilton.

He currently serves as chair of BLK Owned, a non-profit organization that celebrates, showcases and supports black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in the greater Hamilton area, is on the advisory board of the Centre for Research on Community-Oriented Entrepreneurship and is a board director at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Sandhu is a fixture in the local business community, known for his commitment to collaboration, innovation and community growth. He believes that entrepreneurship is about more than just building businesses—it’s about creating purpose-driven ventures that enrich both individuals and the communities they serve. Sandhu’s leadership at MERIT has been characterized by a focus on teamwork, resilience, and a deep connection to Hamilton’s vibrant culture.

“Hamilton is where I learned what it means to build with a community, not just in one,” explains Sandhu.

“There’s a unique energy here that is a mix of scrappiness, solidarity and belief in building something meaningful and lasting. That spirit shaped how I lead at MERIT and how I show up as a collaborator. McMaster’s commitment to entrepreneurship through the McLean Centre and the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge sends a strong signal: Hamilton is a launchpad for bold ideas. Together, we’re building a city where innovation is rooted in place, powered by people and built to last.”

The role of Entrepreneur in Residence

As the Bridge’s first Entrepreneur in Residence, Sandhu will serve as a mentor and advisor, providing inspiration to DeGroote students and aspiring entrepreneurs across campus. He will provide hands-on guidance, share his authentic experiences and help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of launching new ventures.

“I want every student who engages with the Bridge to leave with two things: the confidence to start and the clarity to follow through,” says Sandhu. “Whether they’re building a venture or driving innovation inside an organization, they’ll learn how to think entrepreneurially—how to identify opportunities, build with intention and lead with purpose. We’re not just teaching business. We’re preparing students to thrive in an economy that rewards creativity, adaptability and impact.”

Through workshops, one-on-one mentorship and collaborative projects, Sandhu will help contribute to the development of the next generation of business leaders who are equipped to drive positive change.

DeGroote will continue to partner with industry and community leaders across the Greater Hamilton and Toronto Area to increase the expertise available to McMaster students. Each thematic Learning Hub in the McLean Centre will offer students access to a community of Executives, Experts and/or Entrepreneurs.

Building a legacy of innovation

By connecting students with accomplished entrepreneurs and providing state-of-the-art resources, DeGroote is reaffirming its commitment to entrepreneurial mindsets, experiential learning and community impact.

“Entrepreneurship is a key strategic focus for the DeGroote School of Business and McMaster University. And I’m excited to welcome DeGroote alumnus Tej Sandhu as the first Entrepreneur in Residence for the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge,” says Khaled Hassanein, dean of the DeGroote School of Business.

“Entrepreneurship is more than launching a new business—it’s about developing a mindset focused on innovation and the ability to navigate uncertainty. As a local business leader, students across DeGroote and McMaster will benefit from Tej’s mentorship, guidance and his passion for entrepreneurship.”

The Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge is poised to become a launchpad for bold ideas, social innovation and entrepreneurial success stories that will shape the future of business and society. Sandhu will be an important part of this story.

About the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery

The McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery is a purpose-built facility designed to foster entrepreneurship and enrich the student learning experience in a dynamic university setting. The McLean Centre will prepare students for the future of business by fostering collaboration, creativity and a hands-on approach to learning. This innovative space is where DeGroote and McMaster students, faculty, staff and community partners will come together to solve authentic problems and tackle challenges facing society.

The Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge, located on the seventh floor of the McLean Centre, will create an interdisciplinary home for entrepreneurship on McMaster’s main campus. Designed to support innovation at every stage, the Bridge features the Teresa Cascioli Teaching Studio, an Ideation Lounge and a Collaboration Studio.

The Bridge also houses the Social Impact Hub and the Design and Innovation Hub, spaces that encourage cross-sector collaboration and equity-forward, inclusive design. Here, students from all faculties come together to brainstorm, prototype and launch solutions to real-world challenges, breaking down traditional academic silos and building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To become involved in McMaster’s entrepreneurship ecosystem or express interest in supporting students through an “in-residence” commitment, please contact askmccd@mcmaster.ca.

Visit McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery for more information.

* The Entrepreneur in Residence is an independent contract role.