John F. Wood Centre

The John F. Wood Centre is a non-academic unit within the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. Our mission is to provide transformational learning experiences through entrepreneurial thinking. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. Entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, sustainable business practices, community partnership, social responsibility, and prosperity remain the foundational mainstays at the John F. Wood Centre as we continue to evolve.

Simply put – we help bring ideas to life!

LaunchLab Expo Meet the Team Events

175+ Companies: Launched through our Hub Incubator
250+ Student Entrepreneurs: Supported with funding, office space and mentorship
Innovative MakerSpace: Technology, equipment and resources to support student innovation
Supporting U of G student's ideas: Through our innovative and cutting edge progamming

Dominique Holding Her Happy Era Waffle Product

The Wood Centre equipped me with all the basics of entrepreneurship and mentored me through all of the milestones I aspired to reach throughout the program. They connected me with the right people and encouraged me to figure things out on my own too. They also were the first people to teach me how to pitch, which is something I do regularly today as I enter more retail stores. By laying so many key foundations for me, I felt a strong sense of belief in myself and my brand.

Domenique Mastronardi, Alumni
M.A.Sc. Food and Sustainability Engineering

“If you have a dream and are looking to turn it into reality, the MakerSpace will bring it to life.” “The space not only has the technology, the equipment but the people that you need to look for to launch your ideas.”

Deep Jayeshkumar Jariwala, Alumni
M.Eng. in Environmental Engineering

The Wood Centre equipped me with all the basics of entrepreneurship and mentored me through all of the milestones I aspired to reach throughout the program. They connected me with the right people and encouraged me to figure things out on my own too. They also were the first people to teach me how to pitch, which is something I do regularly today as I enter more retail stores. By laying so many key foundations for me, I felt a strong sense of belief in myself and my brand.

Domenique Mastronardi, Alumni
M.A.Sc. Food and Sustainability Engineering

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John F. Wood

In 2018, the University of Guelph’s Centre for Business and Student Enterprise received a groundbreaking, $7-million gift from John F. Wood, allowing the University to play a leading role in developing a new generation of business leaders focused on entrepreneurship and innovation.

John F. Wood was president and chief executive officer of W.C. Wood Co. Ltd., which was among North America’s largest appliance manufacturers.

The growth of the Wood Centre has been dominated by the creation and advancement of innovative programming. With dedicated positions and tremendous buy-in from students, faculty, and the community, we are demonstrating a critical path to a better, more balanced life.

The guiding principles behind the Wood Centre continue to blend harmoniously with the University of Guelph mission. We are honoured by the good name of John F. Wood.

A successful entrepreneur is one who persists, perseveres, and pays meticulous attention to detail

~ John F. Wood

The John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise is developing innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Guelph. We look for innovative and sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. We instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and leadership, character-building values that help develop citizenship. We help to bring ideas to life!