Experience the Final Showdown
Join us for an unforgettable evening of innovation, entrepreneurship, and competition as Startup Survivor: The Pitch Competition returns to crown the next generation of startup success stories. Hosted by The Forge and McMaster University, this annual event showcases some of the most promising ventures emerging from the McMaster entrepreneurship ecosystem.
After four months of intensive acceleration, mentorship, and business development, five finalist teams will take the stage to pitch their ventures live before an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, students, alumni, and community members. Competing for a share of a $30,000 prize pool, these founders will battle for the opportunity to accelerate their businesses and gain valuable exposure.
Whether you’re looking to discover cutting-edge startups, connect with the innovation community, explore investment opportunities, or simply be inspired by the next wave of entrepreneurial talent, Startup Survivor offers a front-row seat to the future.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: L.R. Wilson Hall, Concert Hall (McMaster University, Main Campus)
Ticket Cost: Free
What to Expect
Watch five high-growth ventures take the stage to deliver their best five-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges. Each team has spent months refining their business model, validating their market, and preparing for this moment.
Connect with founders, investors, industry professionals, researchers, students, alumni, and members of the regional innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re seeking partnerships, talent, investment opportunities, or entrepreneurial inspiration, Startup Survivor brings the community together under one roof.
Following the pitches and judges’ deliberations, the top three teams will be awarded cash prizes of $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000. Winners will be recognized on stage in front of the live audience.
Discover breakthrough ideas addressing real-world challenges in healthcare, technology, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and beyond. Each finalist represents the creativity and entrepreneurial potential emerging from the McMaster community.
Meet the finalists for 2026
AeroVasQ
Pitching: Turki Alturaifi (Faculty of Health Sciences)
Co-Founders: Mahip Raj KC (Faculty of Health Sciences), Angela Ning Yan (Faculty of Health Sciences)
Air trapped in endovascular device delivery systems can enter the bloodstream and cause serious complications, including stroke. AeroVasQ is developing a sterile, easy-to-use technology designed to remove air before devices are introduced into patients. The solution is intended to fit seamlessly into existing clinical workflows without interrupting procedures. Our goal is to improve the safety of endovascular treatment by addressing this overlooked risk.
CELLECT Laboratories
Pitching: Ibukun Elebute (University of Waterloo)
Co-Founder: CT Murphy (University of Waterloo)
CELLECT Laboratories is a women’s health technology company building the collection infrastructure that makes menstrual fluid easier to collect, process, and use for research and diagnostics. Menstrual fluid contains valuable biological information, yet remains largely underutilized due to challenges with collection and laboratory processing. CELLECT’s proprietary, non-invasive technology enables sample collection and separation, with up to eight samples per device, dry transportation, and compatibility with existing laboratory workflows. By making menstrual-derived samples more accessible, CELLECT aims to accelerate research and unlock new possibilities for diagnosing gynecological conditions such as Cervical cancer, STIs endometriosis and more.
Sanaré Technologies
Pitching: Manu Dissanayake (Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science)
Co-Founders: Jialiang Hu (Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering), Sarim Shiraz (Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science)
Sanaré Technologies is a medical technology company redefining musculoskeletal rehabilitation through continuous, data‑driven care. Its wearable Sanaré Sleeve combines range‑of‑motion tracking and muscle activation data to give clinicians real‑time insight into patient recovery between visits. By improving remote monitoring and patient engagement, Sanaré enables more personalized rehab, safer return‑to‑activity decisions, and better outcomes.
Sensera Health
Pitching: Elsa Sheikh (Faculty of Health Sciences)
Co-Founders: Kristen Kwok (Faculty of Health Sciences), Megan Di Muzio (Faculty of Health Sciences), Finnoula O’Neill-King (Faculty of Health Sciences)
Sensera Health is a biomedical innovation company dedicated to transforming hydration monitoring in Skilled Nursing Facilities, long-term care, and nursing homes. Born out of the Master of Biomedical Innovation program at McMaster University, the team develops practical, clinical-grade technology created in close collaboration with frontline healthcare providers. Their solution pairs a wearable patch with a real-time dashboard to deliver continuous, 24/7 hydration measurements. By replacing sporadic, manual checks with proactive, trend-based risk alerts, Sensera Health empowers overstretched care teams to catch dehydration early and prevent costly complications before clinical decline begins.
Sunbeam Health
Pitching: David George (Faculty of Science)
Sunbeam Health is a clinical intake and documentation platform for adult ADHD assessment. Patients complete a guided, voice-based intake before their appointment, and clinicians receive a structured summary ready for review, cutting the time each assessment takes. This lets family physicians diagnose ADHD in a standard visit instead of referring out, and lets assessment clinics see more patients without adding clinician hours. Sunbeam was selected by Harvard’s Health Systems Innovation Lab as one of 50 startups from over 14,700 applicants worldwide. A clinical study with a major Canadian university is now being set up.
Don’t Miss It
Come witness ambitious founders take their shot at startup success. From breakthrough healthcare technologies to innovative digital solutions, Startup Survivor showcases the ideas, talent, and determination driving the future of entrepreneurship. Join us for an evening of competition, connection, and inspiration as we celebrate the next generation of innovators.
Register today and experience the excitement of Startup Survivor live.