ALUMNI DEVELOPMENT GIVE MCCD STRATEGIC PLAN | TEACHING AND LEARNING STUDENT
Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset
November 19, 2024 ·
Contributed by: Joanna Williams, Marketing and Communications Strategist
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Imagine a dedicated space for entrepreneurs. A place to dream big, explore ideas, learn from mentors and even test a prototype. Well, this dream will soon be a reality for McMaster students.
Welcome to the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge – an entire floor dedicated to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in students. This studio will be the largest learning hub in the new McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery (MCCD) and will serve as a core destination for McMaster’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. It will support learners across the full entrepreneurship lifecycle, providing the hands-on experience, resources and support they need to bring their ideas to life. Aligned with the MCCD’s vision of collaborative learning, this space will foster connections between students across faculties.
As John Marinucci (BCom ’80) and his spouse Sarah Vienot toured the partially framed walls that will one day become the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge, they could imagine the students who will fill these spaces.
“I think students are going to be blown away by the sheer number and magnitude of opportunities available to them at a very early stage. They’re going to interact, engage, learn, develop, apply, nurture and hone skill sets that are going to be integral and relevant in what they do post-graduation as they navigate opportunities in a dynamic global economy,” says John.
This new generation of entrepreneurs will have access to tools, mentors and a variety of real-life learning activities to cultivate an entrepreneurial way of thinking and develop skills to take a new business venture from vision to design and then to fruition.
“This building is a beacon of hope for the future. It speaks to tapping into people’s strengths, finding answers and being mentored – pieces that can be missing when you’re an entrepreneur,” says Sarah. “It creates a space for that wonderful mindset of thinking, dreaming and scheming – an entrepreneurial spirit of having a dream and wanting to bring it to reality.”
Learning by doing
John says experiential learning is a very important part of the entrepreneurial journey. Reflecting on his own experience John believes that while he had a solid educational footing, it was the experience of being in the workforce which kickstarted his understanding of the business world.
“My learnings were the traditional model of passive versus experiential learning. I received a comprehensive education at McMaster, but when I entered the real world, it took me a while to figure things out when I had to morph from the theoretical to the practical,” says John.
Early in his career he received help with mentorship from co-workers and supervisors but recognizes students need to have opportunities to gain hands-on experience alongside learning core business skills. He believes this will lead to successful outcomes for students, including providing a smoother transition to the work world.
“Creating a learning space that simulates the work environment students are going to be in means they are going to be comfortable, they are going to be confident, they are going to develop practical skills, and have a huge head start on their career, on their business, or whatever they aspire to do,” says John. “This is just a far better way to start that journey.”
He contrasted his personal experience with the collaborative nature of the new building that will help set students up for success.
“I think it’s fantastic to see something that is going to be incredibly instrumental in accelerating their development, and making them more career ready,” says John. “I wish I was 40 years younger so I could re-do my post-secondary education in this building.”
Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
John and Sarah are inspired by the vision of having an entire floor dedicated to entrepreneurship. One that provides strategic opportunities for students to develop skills and engage different perspectives in a safe learning environment where they can experiment and explore.
“It isn’t just unbridled risk, there are ways for students to weave through the entrepreneurial journey to realize their aspirations,” says John. “They are not coming here to be ready for a job, they are coming here to build a business or realize some other vision that they have for themselves.”
Sarah says the versatile skills students will gain in the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge go beyond starting a new company.
“To have that ability to iterate and make mistakes in an environment with some guard rails, I think is profoundly life changing,” adds Sarah. “Students can bring this entrepreneurial spirit and these valuable skill sets anywhere.”
Preparing future leaders to navigate a rapidly changing world and arming students with experiential learning opportunities that will help them build the skills and mindsets for success is an integral component of this entrepreneurial learning space.
“To me, entrepreneurship is about having the instinct to spot hidden opportunities and the boldness to pursue them relentlessly,” says John. “While many try to define it, entrepreneurship isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a fundamental way of thinking that transforms possibilities into reality.”
About MCCD
The McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery 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 real-world problems and tackle challenges facing society. To become involved in McMaster’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, please contact askmccd@mcmaster.ca. Visit McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery for more information.
