Founded by Entrepreneur-Philanthropists
The DeGroote Heersink Hub was established through the visionary generosity of two entrepreneur-philanthropists, whose gifts provided the foundation for The Clinic and the Marnix E. Heersink School of Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Their support enables the development of the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders through applied learning, mentorship, and venture-building opportunities.
Founding Donor
Michael G. DeGroote had already established his philanthropic legacy at McMaster when, on December 17, 2003, he and his family made the then-largest cash gift in Canadian history to support the University’s medical school, now called the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Mr. DeGroote’s $105 million donation established research centres in infectious diseases, pain and molecular cancer as well as research chairs in medicine and in stroke prevention and treatment. His generosity also helped finalize the construction of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery. Then on May 23, 2014, Mr. DeGroote surprised the medical school’s graduating class by announcing a new gift to the school of $50 million. In 2019, a portion of that gift established what is now the Michael G. DeGroote Health Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Initiative which supports students and staff who aspire to create innovative approaches or products to benefit healthcare.
Mr. DeGroote passed in September 2022. An Officer of the Order of Canada and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Canadian history, he was best known for building Laidlaw Transportation Limited.
Founding Donors
Dr. Marnix E. Heersink – a physician and entrepreneur who grew up in Burlington, Ontario and built his medical practice and businesses in Dothan, Alabama – made his initial gift to entrepreneurship programming at McMaster University in 2019. That contribution of $1 million from Dr. Heersink and his wife Mary funded The Clinic in the Health Sciences Library at McMaster.
In 2022, the Heersinks made a $32 million gift to McMaster. The largest portion of that contribution founded the Marnix E. Heersink School of Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The school transcends traditional department boundaries by reaching across Medicine, Nursing and Rehabilitation Science with a mission to guide and educate emerging health innovators. The cornerstone of the school’s program is its Master of Biomedical Innovation program – the first of its kind in Canada – which welcomed its inaugural student cohort in September 2023.