HOW CAN WE HELP YOU
Office Hours
Our door is (almost always) open! Since we’re located off campus at McMaster Innovation Park, we know it can be a bit of a challenge to come and visit us when you want to chat about next steps. So, we’re making it even easier – we’re coming to you!
On Thursdays, you can find us in the Student Success Centre (Gilmour Hall 110) and stop in for a visit. If you’re not sure where to start, trying to decide between multiple ideas, curious about upcoming opportunities, or wondering if entrepreneurship is right for you, let’s chat!
Choose what’s best for you, meet up with us in person or book a virtual meeting.
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- Log in to OscarPlus
- From the left-hand menu, select “Student Success Centre”
- Select “Appointments”
- On the page under Appointment Types, select “Experiential and Employment”
- For an in-person meeting, select “Forge Office Hours for Entrepreneurial Students and Alumni“.
For a virtual (Zoom) meeting, select “Office Hours for Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Change Makers & Leaders“ - Select an available appointment.
Please note, all in-person meetings take place in the Student Success Centre located in Gilmour Hall 110.
Thursdays don’t work for you? Email Mariya Leslie (Manager of Student Entrepreneurship) directly to book an alternate time/date.
Experience Ventures
Experience Ventures allows McMaster University students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial placements working with startup companies at The Forge. Students receive meaningful work experience, one-on-one mentorship related to their field of study, and a $825 stipend.
Please note, positions are posted by startup companies at The Forge on a rolling basis throughout the year. To see what positions are available, please go to OscarPlus and look for Volunteer & Experiential Building in the Student Success Centre tab.
Startup Survivor
Join Startup Survivor to start and build your business in just 4 months! If you’re ready to make your ideas come to life, The Forge is here to help. Startup Survivor is a four-month innovation program and pitch competition open to McMaster University students and recent alumni. Startup Survivor provides early-stage startups with the funding, resources, and mentorship to guide and prepare you for launch. If that isn’t exciting enough, we’re giving out $75,000 cash throughout the program!
Current Opportunities
Starting your own business can be daunting and it isn’t for everyone – we get it! If you’re interested in entrepreneurship or innovation, but you’re not quite sure how to dip your toes in the water, this section is for you. Hackathons, ideathons, pitch competitions and more are frequently made available to students. See below for some opportunities to get involved at any experience level!
If there are no opportunities listed below, check back at a later date.
Hosted by: St. Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre
What it is: The competition showcases post-secondary student pitchers throughout the month of March. Modelled after the NCAA March Madness basketball competition, 64 student entrepreneurs from across Canada will be selected to compete head-to-head in brackets as they strive to eventually be declared the best in the country
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a student currently studying at or recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution (Undergraduate, Graduate, PhD students and Alumni (within one year of graduation)
- Must be the owner or part owner of the business idea
- Has not generated more than $25,000 in annual revenue in the business
- Has not received more than $15,000 through external support or investment (though investors or other competitions)
Registration Deadline: February 17th, 2023
For more information, visit the March Madness website.