How do you spark innovation at the intersection of academia, government, and business? Andrew Maxwell, Professor at York University's Lassonde School of Engineering, has spent his career doing exactly that — teaching technology entrepreneurship and bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.

About Andrew Maxwell

Andrew Maxwell is a Professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto, teaching technology entrepreneurship, Renaissance engineering, and technology commercialization. His career combines business experience, economic development, and academic excellence.

What We Cover

• How Andrew's engineering and business background shaped his approach to innovation
• The role academia plays in driving entrepreneurship and commercialization
• How to bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs
• Building an entrepreneurial mindset inside a university environment
• Key lessons from working across academia, government, and business

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
01:24 – Andrew's background and path to innovation
05:00 – Innovation at the intersection of academia and business
10:00 – Teaching entrepreneurship: what works and what doesn't
16:00 – Bridging academia, government, and industry
22:00 – Key lessons for aspiring innovators

Key Takeaways

1. Innovation requires institutional bridges. The most impactful breakthroughs happen at the intersection of academia, government, and business — not in any one sector alone.
2. Entrepreneurship can be taught. Courses in technology commercialization help students and researchers translate ideas into real-world ventures.
3. Start with the problem, not the solution. The most successful innovations begin with a deep understanding of unmet needs, not with a technology looking for a market.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Lassonde School of Engineering: lassonde.yorku.ca

Where to Find Andrew Maxwell

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewmaxwell

Where to Find Yaniv Corem

Link in bio: sleek.bio/yanivcorem
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanivcorem

Subscribe & Follow

Subscribe to The School of Innovation on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Have a guest recommendation? Email hello@startupsystem.io