Business Incubator

If you meet the following criteria, we strongly encourage you to apply:

• Founder(s) passionate about addressing important problems with scalable and innovative product or services
• At least one full-time founder who is fully dedicated to the program or on track to take on the startup full-time.
• A dynamic and collaborative team that is coachable and driven to succeed.
• A functional MVP, key validation milestones met, and/or evidence of early market traction (sales, pre-sales, pre-orders, significant partnership agreement, LOI to partner).

As the founder(s), you retain 100% ownership and equity of your business. This program is offered entirely in-kind and generously funded by McMaster University.

Our Business Incubator program is 12-months in length, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

At The Forge, we’re committed to building a supportive community that extends beyond your residency. As a graduate, you’ll continue to have access to our network, mentors, services, and ecosystem events – providing ongoing support as you grow your business.

You’ll also have the opportunity to give back by becoming a mentor, sharing your experience and helping support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to help you secure the funding needed to grow your business. 

When you’re ready to raise capital, we can connect you with our network of 60+ angel investors and venture capital firms through warm introductions. We also offer mentorship focused on investor readiness, helping you refine your pitch and prepare for due diligence. 

Beyond investment opportunities, we provide a modest reimbursement program for eligible business expenses, such as conference attendance and legal fees. We also keep clients informed about relevant grants, funding programs, competitions, and other financing opportunities. 

As a campus-linked business incubator, The Forge can also help you access programs that require incubator affiliation, including opportunities through organizations such as OCI, Mitacs, and Futurpreneur. 

The Forge is based in a 10,000-square-foot innovation hub at McMaster Innovation Park, purpose-built to support entrepreneurs. We share the space with Innovation Factory and the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), creating a dynamic environment filled with founders, mentors, industry experts, and ecosystem partners.

Clients have access to free meeting rooms, drop-in workstations, a business address and dedicated workspace options for those who use the office regularly. Whether you’re looking for a productive place to work, meet with customers, or connect with fellow entrepreneurs, The Forge provides the space and community to support your growth.

We understand that legal and intellectual property (IP) considerations are critical to building and scaling a startup. To support you, The Forge provides access to experienced legal mentors who can offer guidance on a range of legal and IP matters. Incubator clients also receive access to a limited amount of complimentary legal services.

Protecting your ideas is a priority. All staff, mentors, service providers, and clients within our ecosystem are required to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), helping ensure that confidential information remains secure throughout your engagement with The Forge.

Mentorship is at the core of The Forge experience, and meaningful mentorship starts with the right match. Each client is paired with a lead mentor whose experience aligns with their business, industry, and stage of growth.

Through regular mentorship meetings, you’ll receive personalized guidance, accountability, and connections to additional experts within our extensive network as needed. You’ll also stay connected through a private Slack channel, ensuring support is always within reach.

While full-time founders based in Hamilton are preferred, all applicants are welcome. For those within commuting distance, we do encourage clients to come out to in-person events in order to foster a sense of community. The program aims to contribute to the development of the entrepreneurship and innovation community not just in Hamilton, but also in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Absolutely. We encourage clients to participate in other incubator and accelerator programs alongside The Forge, as long as it remains manageable and aligned with your goals. Different programs offer unique strengths, resources, and networks, and these can often complement one another.

Our priority is your success, and we believe founders benefit from access to a diverse ecosystem of support. We’re happy to work alongside other organizations to help ensure you have the resources, expertise, and connections needed to grow your business.

Of course! We’re glad you continued working on your startup.

The Forge is designed to be more than a program—it’s a community. The founders who see the greatest impact are those who actively engage with that community by building relationships, attending events, connecting with mentors, and taking advantage of the resources and opportunities available to them.

We encourage you to immerse yourself in the ecosystem, ask questions, make introductions, and seek support when you need it. Our team, mentors, and network are here to help you navigate challenges and accelerate your growth. The more you invest in the experience, the more you’ll gain from it.