Acquisition Archives - The Forge

From Lecture Halls to Boardrooms: How Three Students Built and Sold a Startup Before Graduation

Marissa Principato — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:36:37 +0000

While most undergrads were juggling exams and group projects, Sarah Simionescu, Jason Huang, and Nikos Dritsakos were negotiating a company acquisition. The trio – two computer science students from McMaster University and one from Brock University – launched SalesBop, an AI-powered sales coaching platform, while still in school. Less than two years later, their startup was […]

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Three Student Entrepreneurs Sell Startup in Under a Year

Marissa Principato — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:05:01 +0000

In less than a year, three Canadian university students, Evan Ferreira, Joseph Liao, and Hussein Tahan, have successfully sold their startup, Local Reach, to Winnipeg-based advertising technology company Taiv in a cash-and-stock deal. The company, which began as an AI-driven research idea, has quickly transformed the way bars and restaurants optimize entertainment and atmosphere. The […]

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AdMass, a start-up at The Forge at McMaster, acquired by Sampler

Marissa Principato — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:42:08 +0000

Sampler will utilize AdMass’s technology, adding AI and User Generated Content to its product sampling platform. The co-founders of AdMass are crediting The Forge at McMaster for scripting a new and exciting chapter in their start-up journey. AdMass, a client at The Forge, has just been acquired by Sampler, a leading company that matches large […]

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