Outwork. Outshine. Outpitch. Only the strongest startups will survive.
Startup Survivor is a four‑month innovation program and pitch competition open to Ontario university and college students, as well as recent alumni. The program will distribute a total of $230,000 in funding directly to startups.
Program Overview
Throughout the summer, participants complete five business and technical challenges. Topics focus on business modeling, prototyping, go-to-market strategy, and pitching to investors. To support their learning, our team of industry experts and mentors hosts workshops for each new topic introduced. At the end of each challenge, a panel of judges review the deliverables and provide feedback for improvement and a challenge score.
In the final challenge of the summer, participants pitch to a venture capital firm poised to invest or engage further. Building a successful investor pitch takes practice, so startups work closely with our pitch coach to ensure they are ready to deliver their best pitch.
Having a supportive network is one of the most important systems for a new company. We host monthly meetups for program participants to share key learnings, ask questions, and connect with peers.
Every startup grows differently. To support their unique journey, one-on-one mentorship is offered weekly with our Manager of Student Entrepreneurship to provide tailored support and business advisory services. Our co-working space at McMaster Innovation Park is open for companies to work from. We even include access to our makerspace for those with hardware solutions.
Funding
We understand that building a business takes time, hard work, and funding. To support participants along the way, each team is awarded $10,000 through milestone-based payments.
Startups focused on smart, sustainable, and/or autonomous transportation solutions may qualify for up to $10,000 in funding.
New in 2026
McMaster University is pleased to announce that the Startup Survivor Program and Pitch Competition has received a significant funding grant from IP Ontario (IPON) through the Innovation Fellowship Program. This investment increases program funding to $300,000.
What does this mean for participants?
Increased Cohort Size
We’re expanding the program from 10 to 20 startups, allowing more founders to access mentorship, funding, and support.
Increased Funding
Participants will now receive $10,000 instead of $5,000 to help accelerate the development of their ventures.
Expanded Eligibility Across Ontario
Startup Survivor is now open to post‑secondary students from any college or university in Ontario, enabling province‑wide participation. You may also apply as an alumni within 2 years of graduation.
Applying to Startup Survivor
The application process for Startup Survivor has multiple stages. Please read the information below carefully.
- Access the Startup Survivor Applicant Portal. We suggest spending a minimum of 2 weeks to complete the application requirements. Starting sooner will give you an advantage!
- Applicants will work on the first challenge submission until the application deadline on March 29 at 11:59 p.m.. Late submissions will not be considered.
- Application review will take place March 30 – April 9.
- Semi-finalists will be called for virtual interviews between April 13 – 15.
- Top 20 finalists will be notified by April 16.
- Startup Survivor program runs May 4 – August 28.
Status: Whether applying as a team or on your own, you must have at least one student or recent alumni (Spring 2024-present) from an Ontario post-secondary institution.
Stage: Applicants must have an innovative business idea or early-stage startup with a scalable business model.
Industry: All sectors are eligible.
Questions and Application Support
If you’re not sure where to start, trying to decide between multiple ideas, or wondering if Startup Survivor is right for you, our team is here to assist you.
For questions and support with your application, please contact Mariya Leslie, Manager of Student Entrepreneurship.
Startup Survivor Pitch Competition
At the end of August, the top five teams with the highest scores are invited to pitch at our annual Startup Survivor Pitch Competition, where $30,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs! Held at McMaster University, this exciting one-night event features our top startups pitching to a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. As the flagship event of McMaster Entrepreneurship Week, it is open to the public and offers a fantastic networking opportunity with student entrepreneurs, faculty, researchers, mentors, and innovation ecosystem partners. The grand prize winner will take home $15,000 in cash to grow their startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions and support with your application, please contact Mariya Leslie, Manager of Student Entrepreneurship.
The Forge will accept twenty startups into the Startup Survivor program.
Yes! Solo founder or co-founders – all are welcome!
While running a startup can be tougher without a co-founder (or multiple), there’s nothing stopping you from applying on your own! It can be done, and it has been done for many years. In 2023, the top three Startup Survivor winners were solo-founders. It just means that you may have to be prepared to work a little bit harder than those who enter with a team of two or more.
Yes! The Forge is home to many founders who don’t have a technical background and are building something that’s… well, technical.
We have partners, industry experts, and resources to support you and fill the gaps in your team as you build your business.
I'm not planning on staying within commuting distance of McMaster for the summer. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, no. Each of the challenges throughout the summer have mandatory in-person commitments (such as workshops, and pitches). If there is no one on your founding team who can represent your startup at the in-person requirements, you are not eligible for the program.
As the founder(s), you retain 100% ownership and equity of your business. This program is entirely free and generously funded by McMaster University and IPON. We’re here to support you, not take from you!
Definitely! We’re glad you continued working on your startup.
The Forge is looking to work with dedicated individuals for the next cohort of Startup Survivor.
During the program, we expect minimum commitment of 20 hours per week to cultivate your startup. This includes attending scheduled events, such as workshops and mentor meetings, as well as dedicating time to work on your business at your own pace.
The majority of our sessions are conducted in person at The Forge. While we encourage full team participation for maximum benefit, it is mandatory for at least one co-founder to attend all events, providing flexibility for different team members. Please note that non-founding members (interns, volunteers, staff, etc.) cannot substitute for co-founders at events.
Our workshops and meetings are scheduled from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
Teams must maintain Good Standing throughout the program to continue accessing funding and resources. The Forge reserves the right to withhold funding or disqualify teams that fail to uphold Good Standing criteria, such as attending mandatory events, actively progressing with business development, meeting challenge deadlines, and participating in pitch-related activities, including the final Investor Pitch Day.
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for your team’s success, provided that you remain committed to the program’s requirements. Your commitment to this endeavor is crucial to our joint success!
Hear from Previous Participants
Ibrahim Iftikhar, founder of CrowdVision
Prize Recipient, 2023 Startup SurvivorI’ve always been passionate about concerts and live events, but recording them is always a hassle. Recording not only distracts and takes away from the overall experience, but often the videos end up being poor quality anyway. I knew that there was something that could’ve been done to address the issue, and I chose to work with the Forge to help me figure that out.
But why the Forge? What sets The Forge apart for me is their approach to nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs. They helped not only build up my business but myself as an entrepreneur. Through workshops and close mentorship, I’ve gained a level of support that is rare and invaluable.
The aspect of working with The Forge that brings me the most joy is the sense of community. The community at the Forge is like a supportive family where the mentors and fellow members genuinely care about your success. For an entrepreneur just starting, that support is crucial. The nurturing environment at the forge is focused on your success. Their role in my journey has been instrumental, and I’m truly thankful for their support.
Josh McGillivray, co-founder of Universole Fit
Winner, 2022 Startup SurvivorThe Forge Startup Survivor program was pivotal not only for Universole Fit but also in my transition from researcher to entrepreneur. We entered the competition with the goal of trying to improve the wide-spread problem of finding the right size shoe, not knowing in the span of a few months they could help turn an idea into a scalable business. The workshops on business development, access to skilled professionals for mentoring, and The Forge’s extensive network provide all the tools for a determined entrepreneur to turn their startup dream into a reality. We would recommend the competition to anyone trying their first startup venture as the mentorship paired with the funding opportunity means regardless of the competition outcome it will be invaluable to your business development. Without the constant guidance and support of The Forge, Universole Fit would not be where we are today. Continuing to work with The Forge as an incubator client, even after the competition, continues to prove to be the best decision we could have made.
Parisa Agahi, founder of Tression
Prize Recipient, 2022 Startup SurvivorTression was shaped as a startup through working with The Forge. The mentorship and support offered by this community was paramount for Tression’s growth from an early-stage startup with little validation, to an incorporated company with a large network of advisors and planned go-to-market strategies. I would highly recommend the Startup Survivor and Incubator programs to anyone with a business idea and a passion to solve a real world problem!
Christopher Juman, co-founder of Dahlia
Winners, 2021 Startup SurvivorOur experience with the Forge Startup Survivor program has been incredibly valuable. We entered the competition looking to gain guidance on our first steps in launching our business while also hoping to gain some funds along the way. We never would have imagined how many skills we would develop all the while having the opportunity to build connections with valuable mentors and other co-founders who have helped shape our business. Startup Survivor has helped catapult Dahlia forward and we are very grateful for this experience. We encourage new founders to apply if they want to gain guidance and direction on how bringing their startup to life!
Evan Ferreira, co-founder of Local Reach
After going through four different accelerators, I can confidently say The Forge was as the best. In just four months, I went from not even knowing what “venture capital” meant to pitching my business to investors and securing offers. The Forge’s top-tier mentorship and supportive community didn’t just teach me the skills I needed—it completely transformed my perspective on entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, joining The Forge is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.