The Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence has received another $1 million dollar gift from leading Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder, and Saskatchewan native W. Brett Wilson. The gift doubles Mr. Wilson’s original donation which established the Wilson Centre in 2007, and recognizes the success of the Centre since its launch in 2008. The gift will help expand the Centre’s reputation as Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurial hub. The announcement was made last night during the Centre’s Pitch Party III- Dive in, Live your Passion, a networking event that attracted over one thousand students and members of the local business community, and featured stories from Wilson’s involvement in the popular reality TV show Dragons’ Den.

“The Wilson Centre is helping to unleash a renewed spirit of innovation and free enterprise across Saskatchewan by promoting entrepreneurship and supporting innovation in students at all Colleges at the U of S,” said Sanj Singh, Executive Director. “This major new gift is a vote of confidence for our work, and the students and business people the Centre supports.” Through the i3 Idea challenge, the Centre has been instrumental in the creation of 14 new businesses in the past two years, as well as providing $300,000 in cash and professional services, and over 2500 student-business connections.

“One of my greatest sources of pride is seeing my children thrive. In the same way, I have been tremendously impressed with the success of the Wilson Centre. Entrepreneurs of all sizes and types are the true engines of economic growth,” said Wilson. “Just as Dragons' Den celebrates and practically supports entrepreneurship nationally, the Wilson Centre celebrates and practically supports entrepreneurship locally. With this gift, I look forward to seeing them notch up their game and expand their impact across this great province.”

The Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence is located within the Edwards School of Business which also provides administrative oversight.