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Programs

  1. Business Incubator
  2. Startup Survivor

Our Startups

Our startups come from numerous industries.

Resources

We support your startup every step of the way with mentors, service providers and more.

Ready to be an innovator?

We’re here to support McMaster students with an interest in entrepreneurship.

McMaster's Startup Incubator

No equity

We do not take equity in your company. We facilitate investor events, connect you with the right advisors, provide strategic advice and help perfect your pitch.

Incredible mentors

Our network of mentors includes industry experts, serial entrepreneurs, and investors who will accelerate your company’s path to success.

Co-working space

Work from a beautiful new facility at McMaster Innovation Park, a premier research and innovation centre in Hamilton linked to Canada’s #1 most research-intensive university.

Established network

Join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.  We host regular founder meetups and community events to get your brand out there. We celebrate wins and learn from failure together.

323

Startups

67

Millions Raised

1000

Jobs

50

Countries Reached

The Forge and McMaster University

McMaster is ranked among the world’s top 85 universities. Located in the vibrant city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, McMaster is home to over 31,000 undergraduate students. Bringing together the best and brightest minds within our diverse student body is the spark that makes a brighter world possible.

Latest News

Boardball Pitching on Dragon

The Forge’s Boardball Takes the Court on Dragons Den This Fall

Dragon’s Den, the hit TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their groundbreaking ideas and products to a group of successful Canadian...

Dr. Laura Shoots Photo

A Brant ER doctor’s digital platform aims to make death easier

A shoebox full of end-of-life wishes, missing until after the funeral, initially inspired Dr. Laura Shoots to devise an online...

Silvio Rotilli Filho on C600 motorcycle

Brazilian engineer creates electric motorcycle designed for Brazil and costing R$24,990

Auper Motorcycles, a startup specializing in electric motorcycles, has announced the launch of the C600 in Brazil. The company aims to...

Photo of Deena and Rooaa from Power of Play

Power of Play: Student innovators are developing medical device for children

Original article posted on Daily News A team of student entrepreneurs is developing an innovative toy-like medical device that makes...

Testimonials

Yuri Kaplan, Founder & CEO of AdMass (Acquired)

Business Incubator Client

The Forge has been a vital element in helping us grow as a company and on a personal level as well. The Forge is much more than an incubator, it’s a powerful community that has acted as an extension of our team, helping us obtain resources and knowledge that not only helped us survive through some of our hardest moments, but pushed us to thrive. I highly recommend The Forge for any entrepreneur who truly wants to make a difference in the world – The Forge has proven time and time again that it can help you do that.

Cole Kirschner, CEO & Co-Founder of AgeRate

Business Incubator Client

The Forge was truly the launching pad for our start-up. The funding and support received after participating in their annual pitch competition encouraged us to take the next step with our idea and work full time on our startup. We have been working with The Forge for a few years now and they have been a phenomenal partner for us. Whether it’s connections to mentors, service providers, investors or even just an office space to use, I recommend any start-ups (or McMaster Students considering starting their own company) to reach out to The Forge, they got you covered!

Amanda Nguyen, Co-Founder of Boardball

Business Incubator Client

We joined The Forge with the expectation to be a part of a community of other founders doing cool things. We got just that – and more. Not only were we surrounded by other inspiring entrepreneurs, we were paired up with 2 excellent mentors who have helped our business in so many ways. They were always accessible, quick to respond, and provided hands on help when we needed it most. The Business Incubator program has been pivotal to getting our business from early stages to growth stage and we’re feeling poised for growth going into 2023! We’ve had an awesome experience with The Forge thus far and we hope other founders get to experience the same.

Dr. Lisa Crossley, CEO of Reliq Health Technologies Inc.

Business Incubator Client

The Forge was instrumental in supporting the company in its original incarnation as CareKit Health. CareKit came to The Forge in 2015, leveraging its mentoring, networking, fundraising and prototyping services. The Forge helped CareKit connect with potential customers and granting agencies, which ultimately helped attract the attention of Reliq Health, leading to its acquisition of CareKit for $2 million.