Blog Archives - The Forge https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/category/blog/ Built by McMaster University Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:31:07 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/cropped-F-ICON-RGB-32x32.jpg Blog Archives - The Forge https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/category/blog/ 32 32 The Forge Advantage: Mentorship, Momentum and Market-Ready Startups https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/the-forge-advantage-mentorship-momentum-and-market-ready-startups/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-forge-advantage-mentorship-momentum-and-market-ready-startups Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:28:56 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=9087 Parisa Agahi had just earned her masters degree from McMaster’s Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization Program when she was prescribed compression stockings for her leg pain. Her mom had needed compression stockings for many years due to varicose veins. While they provided essential support, she found them uncomfortable and clinical looking.  Agahi decided to create a […]

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]]> McMaster awarded $300,000 to expand Startup Survivor program   https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/mcmaster-awarded-300000-to-expand-startup-survivor-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcmaster-awarded-300000-to-expand-startup-survivor-program Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:12:05 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=9082 McMaster University has received $300,000 from the provincial government to expand entrepreneurship programming for startups.   The investment comes from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) as part of their postsecondary funding program, which was created to enhance commercialization efforts within Ontario’s postsecondary sector and drive economic growth.       The funding for McMaster will be used to expand the Startup Survivor program. Hosted by The Forge, this four-month innovation program and pitch competition supports McMaster student and alumni entrepreneurs as they work […]

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]]> How McMaster life sciences student Tharsan Rasasakaram stepped into startup life https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/how-mcmaster-life-sciences-student-tharsan-rasasakaram-stepped-into-startup-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-mcmaster-life-sciences-student-tharsan-rasasakaram-stepped-into-startup-life Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:52:03 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=9005 “Startups have this energy,” Tharsan Rasasakaram says. “Things move quickly, and you have to be ready to adapt. But that also means there’s space to try things and figure out what works.” It was his first time inside a startup. The placement with Tression Inc. was made possible by Experience Ventures — a program powered […]

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]]> OneChart partners with C3 EMR to deliver advanced ambient documentation and telehealth solutions across Canada and the US https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/onechart-partners-with-c3emr/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=onechart-partners-with-c3emr Mon, 05 Jan 2026 19:19:11 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8984 C3 EMR, a leading provider of integrated electronic medical record (EMR) and practice-management solutions, and OneChart, an innovator in AI based clinical workflows and AI driven clinical documentation, today announced a strategic partnership to bring ambient documentation and telehealth automation to healthcare providers across Canada and the United States. The partnership will empower clinicians and therapists […]

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]]> Forge Wrapped 2025: Building Futures, Growing Together https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/forge-wrapped-2025-building-futures-growing-together/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=forge-wrapped-2025-building-futures-growing-together Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:46:04 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8917 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 […]

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]]> McMaster startup uses vehicle sensors to map the ‘urban nervous system’  https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/mcmaster-startup-uses-vehicle-sensors-to-map-the-urban-nervous-system/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcmaster-startup-uses-vehicle-sensors-to-map-the-urban-nervous-system Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:02:00 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8988 A McMaster-based startup is poised to drive the future of urban planning and development with mobile sensors that gather data on the world around us. McMaster Engineering students Ali Hamdy, Jase Jin and Eddy Su launched LIVESENS — a combination of the words “live” and “census” — in 2024. Their technology captures real-time data about […]

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]]> McMaster Student Innovation Takes Center Stage at Startup Survivor Pitch Competition https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/mcmaster-student-innovation-takes-center-stage-at-startup-survivor-pitch-competition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcmaster-student-innovation-takes-center-stage-at-startup-survivor-pitch-competition Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:35:31 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8847 Hamilton, ON – Five dynamic student-led startups from McMaster University are gearing up to compete in the highly anticipated Startup Survivor Pitch Competition, taking place on November 19th. These ventures, founded by some of McMaster’s brightest minds, are tackling real-world challenges with creativity, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial drive. The finalists represent the top-ranking teams from […]

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]]> The Forge Welcomes Final Business Incubator Cohort of 2025 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/the-forge-welcomes-final-business-incubator-cohort-of-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-forge-welcomes-final-business-incubator-cohort-of-2025 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 20:47:22 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8830 The Forge, McMaster University’s startup incubator, is proud to announce the launch of its final Business Incubator cohort of 2025, welcoming five promising ventures into its year-long commercialization program. The Forge’s Business Incubator is designed to support early-stage ventures as they transition from prototype to scalable, market-ready solutions. Open to entrepreneurs from the local community, […]

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]]> From Lecture Halls to Boardrooms: How Three Students Built and Sold a Startup Before Graduation https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/salesbop-acquired/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=salesbop-acquired Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:36:37 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8759 While most undergrads were juggling exams and group projects, Sarah Simionescu, Jason Huang, and Nikos Dritsakos were negotiating a company acquisition. The trio – two computer science students from McMaster University and one from Brock University – launched SalesBop, an AI-powered sales coaching platform, while still in school. Less than two years later, their startup was […]

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]]> Wonder Guard: PhD student’s new device aims to halt progression of UTIs  https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/wonder-guard-phd-students-new-device-aims-to-halt-progression-of-utis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wonder-guard-phd-students-new-device-aims-to-halt-progression-of-utis Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:08:55 +0000 https://theforge.mcmaster.ca/?p=8647 If you were to ask Manak Bajaj what inspired him to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, one name comes to mind: Iron Man.   In fact, it was what inspired him to complete his undergraduate degree in the Health, Engineering, Science and Entrepreneurship (iBioMed) program. Now a biomedical engineering PhD student, he may not have a suit […]

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