McMaster is marking Global Entrepreneurship Week with a celebration of the university’s innovation ecosystem that allows everyone to thrive regardless of background or experience.
From November 16 to 20, McMaster Entrepreneurship Week (MEW) features a range of events, including workshops, panels and competitions, for budding entrepreneurs and innovators seeking support and resources.
Christy Lee, left, and Ethan Alvizo, right, co-founders of PatientCompanion, a digital platform to streamline patient care. McMaster Entrepreneurship Week is an opportunity for innovators from across the university to come together and celebrate Mac’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. (Georgia Kirkos, McMaster University)
This year’s theme “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here” highlights the ways McMaster is making entrepreneurship accessible for anyone with an idea. Come and learn from other “Made at Mac” innovators whose research is transforming lives, including the students behind the startups that have been selected for this year’s Startup Survivor Pitch Competition.
Learn more about the programming for this year’s entrepreneurship week.
No Experience Necessary Challenge
Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery Parking Lot
Pitch Ronnen Harary. Walk away with $500 to start your business.
Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master and author of No Experience Necessary, is stopping at McMaster as part of a North American tour of campuses in an Airstream. No experience necessary just bring your business idea, your ID, your phone and your confidence.
Monday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Rd. S., Hamilton
Join a celebration of McMaster’s research and innovation community! Network with industry professionals, investors, academics and entrepreneurs and learn about exciting research and commercialization successes. The showcase features a student poster competition, the Postdoc Entrepreneur Fellowship pitch competition, and the Innovator Awards ceremony.
Made at Mac: Accelerated Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | MDCL 3013 and online via Zoom
Discover opportunities to engage in McMaster’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and find out how to bring your entrepreneurship ideas to life.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | The Clinic Collision Space, Health Sciences Library, Lower Level
Whether you’re pitching an early-stage venture or trying to win over customers, a great idea or product isn’t always enough. How you communicate its value can make all the difference.
Join an interactive session with the Forge’s Randy Stackaruk to learn how to turn complex ideas into clear, compelling stories that capture attention, build buy-in, and move your audience to action.
Building Careers in Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | MDCL 3013
What can a career in biomedical innovation look like? Get first-hand advice directly from Master of Biomedical Innovation (MBI) alumni as they share how the program shaped their careers and where their paths have taken them.
From building new ventures to contributing within established organizations, discover the many ways biomedical innovation can create real-world impact.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge, McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery
Lab2Market is Canada’s national research commercialization program, supported by Mitacs and NSERC, and aims to connect aspiring innovators with a national network of expert mentors, industry leaders, and seasoned entrepreneurs.
Connect with L2M alumni, entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners, enjoy a special alumni panel discussion, informal networking and refreshments.
The Forge: Startup Survivor Pitch Competition
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | L.R Wilson Hall, Concert Hall
Get ready for the ultimate startup showdown.
Hosted by the Forge Business Incubator and McMaster University, Startup Survivor brings together the region’s most promising entrepreneurs as they compete for their share of a $30,000 prize pool in a high-stakes live pitch competition.
Finalists will take the stage to pitch innovative ventures, connect with investors and industry leaders, and battle for the title of Startup Survivor.
Click here for more about this year’s finalists
AI for Entrepreneurs: Tools to Turn Insights into Action
Thursday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | The Clinic Collision Space, Health Sciences Library, Lower Level
Learn how to use AI tools to turn customer insights into action in this hands-on workshop led by Wonder Guard founder Manak Bajaj. Participants will explore how AI can help entrepreneurs capture, organize and make sense of the information they gather along the way: from conversations and research to evolving assumptions and decisions.
I Am An Entrepreneur – Ask Me Anything
Monday, Nov. 16 to Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | MUSC and Mills Plaza
Got questions about entrepreneurship? Let’s taco ’bout it.
This McMaster Entrepreneurship Week, join Tej Sandhu, Entrepreneur in Residence at McMaster University’s Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge, for five days of candid conversations, real-world advice, and FREE tacos from The Mule To Go in Westdale.
Tej will be joined by a series of guest entrepreneurs to answer whatever questions you have about entrepreneurship, whether you have a big idea, a small question, or simply a little curiosity. There’s no presentation, no pitch required, and no appointment necessary. Just stop by, ask a question, and have a conversation with people who’ve been there.
Got questions? Check out the McMaster Entrepreneurship website for resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
