Launched in 2016, The Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BII+E) was founded in 2015 and was made possible by the vision of Sheldon Levy (former Ryerson University President) and Jack Cockwell (Brookfield Assets Management). The institute was started with a $16 million donation from Jack Cockwell and Brookfield Partners Foundation.
The Brookfield Institute is housed within Ryerson University. Their mission/mandate is to "generate far-sighted insights and stimulate new thinking to advance actionable innovation policy in Canada". To achieve their mission, they partner with academics, students, entrepreneurs, business executives and public sector leaders—across all organizations, without limitations or restrictions. The Institute is governed by an independent Advisory Board, which provides strategic direction and oversees the Institute’s leadership team. The Brookfield Institute and Ryerson University are strong partners, but with separate voices. We are immensely proud of this relationship and believe it will mutually benefit both partners— and Canada—for many years to come.