Pierre Lassonde Donates $50M to Polytechnique Montréal for Disruptive Innovation Hub

Quebec businessman Pierre Lassonde has pledged a historic $50 million donation to Polytechnique Montréal to create an institute focused on disruptive innovation, marking the largest single gift in the university's history. This initiative aims to foster homegrown talent and stimulate technological advancements in response to current economic challenges, particularly the ongoing tariff war with the United States. Lassonde emphasized the importance of investing in Canadian innovation, stating that the relationship with the U.S. has shifted significantly, necessitating a fresh approach to economic development. The new institute will not only support cutting-edge research but also aim to educate and train the next generation of engineers in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and photonic devices. Lassonde, who chairs the school's board and is a Polytechnique alumnus, believes this investment will catalyze further progress in Quebec's research and innovation landscape. His vision underscores a commitment to leveraging intelligence and creativity rather than physical infrastructure for future growth.