As 2024 draws to a close, we at The Forge want to express our gratitude to our incredible mentors, clients, and partners. This year has been filled with innovation, collaboration, and milestones worth celebrating.
Here’s a look back at some of the year’s highlights:
Welcoming new and returning faces
This year, we were thrilled to welcome Leigh Wilson as Interim Director of The Forge, Lauren Brown as Incubator Manager, and Stefan Lombardi as Communications Assistant. We also welcomed Jessica Rudden back from parental leave! Their combined creativity, passion, and expertise are already driving significant impact, and we look forward to seeing their vision shape our programs in the year ahead.
Supporting our entrepreneurs
We welcomed 26 new ventures through our programs, Business Incubator and Startup Survivor, tackling challenges across AI, sustainability, healthtech, and more!
Here are some exciting highlights from our community:
- Exciting funding announcements including PROVA Innovations securing investment with The McMaster Seed Fund, Afynia closing a $2M pre-seed round, and OneChart investment from Ripple Ventures and Silicon Valley investor Jason Calacanis.
- A Dragons Den episode premiere for Boardball, which secured an investment from Simu Liu and an upcoming episode on January 3, featuring EarthOne.
- New and expanded product launches with ELO releasing the Vagabond, FOOPE releasing new scents and candles, AP Renewables releasing SCADAScope and refining existing product lines, and Fitsentive recruiting 50+ expert trainers and landing brand deals for their app.
- Trips abroad to explore new markets with Auper heading to Brazil and Jetson Infinity taking on San Francisco (or SF as we’re told the locals refer to it).
- New partnerships with The Sam and Roma Mercanti Foundation to support innovative student-led startups, awarding $5000 in funding to Respyra Technologies and Medium AI.
- As the recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, Lianna Genovese announced Imaginable Solutions has launched the Guided Hands Sponsorship Program – removing cost as a barrier to accessibility.
Empowering Students
From the Startup Survivor program to hands-on workshops, our student entrepreneurs showcased resilience and creativity. These programs continue to inspire the next generation of innovators.
In November, we hosted our fourth annual Startup Survivor Pitch Competition where we awarded $30,000 to three student-led startup companies: Power of Play ($15,000), Medium AI ($10,000) and Respyra Technologies ($5,000).
If you missed it, you can watch the recap video.
New employment opportunities for startups and students
The Forge is a leading partner in the newly announced McMaster Startup Internships (MSI) Program. MSI offers startups access to top student talent funded by McMaster University, making it a cost-effective way to boost productivity and drive innovation.
With connections to McMaster’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, MSI supports startups in tackling key projects and identifying future hires to accelerate their growth.
Expanding our network
With your support, our mentorship and partnership network has grown stronger than ever. We’ve connected clients with experienced mentors and strategic partners who provide invaluable guidance and specialized services to help them build, scale, and innovate their businesses. These partnerships have expanded access to expertise, resources, and opportunities, fostering collaboration and driving success across industries.
Each quarter, we review client feedback to improve our programming, and we consistently hear that our mentors and partners are the most valuable resource we provide. So thank you—for your continued support and for making all of this possible.
Entrepreneurship is for everyone
During McMaster Entrepreneurship Week, we celebrated the diverse entrepreneurial spirit of our community. From app developers to artisan makers, every story showcased the boundless potential of innovation.
This year’s highlights included hosting the Makers Marketplace, where talented creators shared their unique products, launching the McMaster Student Internships (MSI) Program with engaging info sessions, and culminating the week with the exciting Startup Survivor Pitch Competition, where student entrepreneurs competed for $15,000 in funding. Together, these events highlighted the inclusivity and vibrancy of entrepreneurship at McMaster. If you missed some of the stories from this week, you can catch up here.
Holiday Hours
Please be advised that our office will be closed to visitors beginning Monday, December 23 and will resume regular operations on Monday, January 6. During this period, our team will not have access to emails, but we’ll respond to inquiries as soon as possible after the break.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Looking ahead
As we look ahead to 2025, we are energized by the opportunities to come and remain committed to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and growth. Here are some important dates to keep in mind for the coming months:
- January 6: Startup Survivor applications launch (March 31 deadline)
- January 6: Business Incubator applications open (March 30 deadline)
- January 27: Student applications for McMaster Startup Immersion Internships launch
- January 29: Winter cohort of the Business Incubator joins The Forge.
Thank you for being an integral part of The Forge community. Your support, expertise, and collaboration make all the difference.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a successful New Year!