2025 was a year of growth, collaboration, and impact for The Forge and for the innovators who call this community home. From startups scaling globally to students launching their first ventures, we worked together to build businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
The Forge exists to empower founders, connect our community members, and drive innovation. This year’s results reflect the collective effort of clients, mentors, investors, and McMaster University faculties working toward a shared vision: turning ideas into impact.
2025 By the Numbers
Product Launches and New Releases
This year was packed with launches, new releases and milestones from our clients. From AI-powered tools and legal tech advancements to healthcare platforms, gaming innovations, and mobility solutions, these founders are shaping industries and redefining possibilities. Here’s a look at some of the standout achievements that made this year exceptional.
Staccato – Launched its flagship product, the AI Instrument Plugin, an AI co-writer designed to help music producers create with ease.
Junior Associate – Introduced the Mock Trial feature, enabling lawyers to submit draft court materials and receive decisions from virtual judges, complete with strategic recommendations to support client understanding and encourage settlement.
Take Care – Debuted Take Care, a physician-created online platform that guides families through planning ahead, making it simple to plan, share, and protect loved ones.
ELO Gaming – Released Sentinel XR Gaming Glasses, surpassing Kickstarter fundraising goals within hours of launch.
Auper – Opened pre-sales in Brazil, selling out all models in minutes, and launched a new manufacturing facility to meet demand.
ImaginAble Solutions – Expanded its team with four new hires, surpassed $1M CAD lifetime revenue, and distributed over 1,250 Guided Hands® devices across 25+ countries. Accepted into the MaRS Mobility Unlimited Hub Cohort #2, securing a $100K grant and manufacturing expertise from Toyota engineers.
CorLibra – Began patient testing in December and submitted its Health Canada ITA for a clinical usability study at St. Joseph’s, scheduled for Q1 2026.
Flightpath Software – Released its Virality Analysis and Prediction tool for YouTube, helping creators identify signals correlated with video performance and monetize viral trends. Signed two major entertainment companies as clients.
Made at Mac
The Forge’s success is deeply connected to McMaster University. In 2025, we collaborated with key faculties and departments to bridge research, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning including: McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO), Student Affairs, Faculty of Engineering, The Clinic, and more.
Middle row (from left): PROVA Innovation demo, The Forge booth, Afynia presenting
Bottom row (from left): McMaster Student Seed Fund recipients, Investor Analyst Fellows, Auper and Power of Play speaking as panelists
Programs Driving Growth
This year, our offering of programs expanded to reach more innovators.
The Business Incubator program provides early-stage companies with resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to accelerate growth. By fostering innovation and offering tailored support, it helps startups scale efficiently and succeed in competitive markets. This year, we welcomed 15 new companies into the program, strengthening our community of innovators.
Applications will open in the new year for our Spring cohort. Learn more.
Startup Survivor is our signature student program and pitch competition, giving entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their ideas in a dynamic, high-energy format. This year, we welcomed 10 new companies into the program, which included workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help founders refine strategies and accelerate growth. The season culminated in our pitch competition, where the top 5 innovative startups competed for top honors. Congratulations to our 2025 winners: Wonder Guard, DOT, and O2Link!
Eligibility forms are open until February 20 for the 2026 cohort. Learn more
The McMaster Student Seed Fund provides student-led startups with early-stage funding to turn innovative ideas into viable businesses. This year, the program launched to empower student entrepreneurs by offering financial support, mentorship, and resources to accelerate growth.
Applications for the next funding round are open until March 1. Learn more
The Investor Analyst Fellowship offers students hands-on experience in venture capital and startup investment analysis. Fellows gain practical skills in market research, financial modeling, and due diligence while working closely with early-stage companies and investors. This unique program bridges classroom learning with real-world application, preparing participants for careers in finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Applications are open until January 4 for the 2026 cohort. Learn more
The Startup Immersion Internship program connects students with early-stage companies for hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. Interns work directly with founders on real projects, gaining practical skills in business development, marketing, and operations while contributing to the growth of innovative startups. This immersive experience bridges academic learning with the fast-paced startup environment, preparing students for careers in innovation and leadership
Startup Applications are open until January 9. Applications for students will open in the new year. Learn more
Innovator Spotlight
Resilio Climate Solutions: Driving Climate Intelligence Forward
Resilio Climate Solutions, a participant in the Business Incubator program, had an outstanding year of growth and innovation. The team transformed their idea into a fully developed platform, launched an MVP, and began early commercialization. Rebranding as RESILIOCS Intelligence, they aim to fill a critical market gap with actionable decision-support tools for climate risk assessment. In 2025, Resilio secured $160K in non-dilutive funding and raised equity commitments for 60% of their $600K round, with plans to close in January. They converted pilot projects into paid engagements, established global partnerships, and prepared for a commercial rollout in 2026. Staying true to their research roots, the team published a new journal paper on scalable geospatial frameworks for climate risk. Leveraging McMaster’s MSI program and The Forge’s mentorship, Resilio built its platform in-house and positioned itself as a leader in climate intelligence solutions.
Wonder Guard: Startup Survivor Champion
Manak Bajaj’s Wonder Guard, a smart catheter bag powered by AI and DNA biosensors, took first place and a $15,000 grand prize in McMaster’s Startup Survivor pitch competition. Developed through The Forge’s four-month accelerator, Wonder Guard rapidly detects UTI-causing bacteria, potentially preventing thousands of hospital-acquired infections. Drawing inspiration from a personal family experience, Manak’s innovation stood out among five finalists—earning top recognition for its promise to improve patient safety and healthcare outcomes.
LIVESENS: Mapping the Urban Nervous System
LIVESENS, supported by McMaster’s Student Seed Fund and The Forge’s business incubator program, is redefining how cities monitor and maintain infrastructure. The startup uses vehicle-mounted sensors to collect real-time data on road conditions, creating an “urban nervous system” that helps municipalities prioritize repairs and improve safety. With backing from the Student Seed Fund and guidance from The Forge, LIVESENS advanced from concept to commercialization, forging partnerships with cities and transportation agencies to deploy its technology. Their innovative approach is paving the way for smarter, more resilient urban environments.
Celebrating 10 Years of Forge
In June, The Forge marked our 10th anniversary with a celebration bringing together mentors, partners, alumni, and clients for an unforgettable display of innovation in the community. Since our launch in 2015, the incubator has aided over 350 startups across sectors such as medtech, clean energy, software, retail, and social enterprise. Collectively, these ventures have raised more than $100M, created thousands of jobs, and brought meaningful innovations to market.
The celebration featured a bustling demo showcase of current and alumni startups, food, music, networking sessions, a Makerspace tour, and a panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs and industry mentors.
Saucy Protein, co-founded by Zooni Thusoo and Deepali Razdan, showcased its plant-protein sauce, now Ontario Made certified and available online and in retail.
QReserve, one of The Forge’s earliest alumni companies and the title sponsor of the celebration, exemplified the power of collaboration and long-term community engagement.
The celebration also honored key contributors with awards recognizing mentorship and community impact, underscoring the collaborative spirit that defines The Forge.
Director Leigh Wilson summed up the occasion best: while the numbers are impressive, it’s the culture of risk-taking and inclusivity that truly sets The Forge apart and the journey is only just beginning.
From All of Us at The Forge
Thank you for being part of an incredible year. Together, we’ve incubated hundreds of businesses, raised over $100 million, and created more than a thousand jobs. These milestones aren’t just numbers—they represent bold ideas turned into real-world impact.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited for what’s next and grateful to have you on this journey with us. Here’s to another year of collaboration, growth, and breakthroughs. Let’s keep building the future, together.
Warm wishes from Leigh Wilson, Lauren Brown, Marissa Principato, Mariya Leslie, Maria Plazas & Jessica Rudden
