Made at Mac

Where innovation meets impact

McMaster researcher and entrepreneur Jon Stokes named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40

The McMaster grad, scientist and entrepreneur has earned international recognition for his innovative approach to antibiotic discovery. Now he’s turning those discoveries into real-world impact.

Learning to think like an entrepreneur: Inside McMaster’s commercialization masterclass

Through the experiences of two Hamilton innovators, see how the DeGroote Heersink Hub's Masterclass is helping turn deep clinical and research expertise into ideas with real-world potential. Read more

McMaster’s first entrepreneur-in-residence offers advice to students starting a business

DeGroote’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Tej Sandhu, shares his experience and advice to students looking to turn their ideas into businesses during the CHCH Morning Live show filmed at McMaster University. Read more

McMaster students build wearable tech to help kids with Type 1 diabetes play more freely

How three McMaster students turned a real clinical need into an award-winning health-tech startup designed to help keep children with Type 1 diabetes safer during active play. Read more

From hospital hallways to the pitch stage: MBI students tackle real-world health challenges

Discover how Master of Biomedical Innovation students transformed observations from real healthcare settings into promising innovations and brought their ideas to the pitch stage. Read more

View more stories

The Made at Mac Annual Report is here

McMaster entrepreneurs are turning research into real-world impact — and they’re backed by a campus-wide ecosystem that’s here to support them.

In the past year alone, McMaster-affiliated startups have:

🤝 Raised $139 million in funding

📊 Generated $40.5 million in revenue

💼 Provided 979 full-time jobs

These startups haven’t just launched their entrepreneurial journeys at Mac — they’ve continued to grow here, taking part in programs that help them secure funding, build connections and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

For students, that means gaining essential skills that set them up for success. More than 340 students are currently engaged with McMaster startups, whether they’re launching their own companies or gaining hands-on experience through entrepreneurship programs.

Made at Mac reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of founders and helping them build ventures that improve lives, strengthen communities and drive economic growth.

Read the Made at Mac annual report to discover how McMaster's entrepreneurship ecosystem is helping turn innovative ideas into real-world impact.

Read the report

Programs and Resources

The Residency @ The Clinic | October 14, 2026

For early-stage health innovators ready to turn promising ideas into ventures, the Residency @ The Clinic is a six-month program designed to help validate, build, and grow innovations from needs assessment to launch readiness. Participants strengthen their ventures, build entrepreneurial skills, and prepare for next-stage opportunities such as accelerators and pitch competitions. Apply now.

ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp | October 20, 2026
McMaster’s new ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp is a six-session, hands-on entrepreneurship and commercialization training program for prospective innovators from all disciplines across McMaster University. Apply now.

Investor Analyst Fellowship | October 31, 2026

See startups through an investor’s eyes. The Investor Analyst Fellowship gives McMaster University students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of venture capital and due diligence, then put those skills to work evaluating real startups. No previous VC experience required. Apply now.

Lab2Market Validate Ontario - Fall 2026 | November 24, 2026

Have a research idea with commercial potential? Lab2Market Validate helps researchers explore whether their idea can create real-world value. Through a 16-week program of funding, workshops, customer discovery, and mentorship from industry experts, participants test their assumptions, build their network, and develop the skills to move their research toward market. Apply now.

McMaster Startup Immersion Internships (MSI) | Opening soon!

Calling all McMaster-affiliated startups! Bring top McMaster talent into your team for a paid, full-time summer internship (May–September 2027) at no cost to your company. Interns work 35 hours/week at $22/hour (fully funded), with flexible formats (virtual, in-person, or hybrid). Join our mailing list to learn when applications open.

John Whelen Family Innovation Advancement Fellowship | Opening soon!

The John Whelen Family Innovation Advancement Fellowship supports McMaster graduate students, postdocs, and recent grads completing a 4- to 12-month placement with an eligible McMaster-affiliated startup. A 12-month fellowship provides a minimum of $45,000 in funding. Join our mailing list to learn when applications open.

Lab2Market Launch Climate & Energy National - Summer 2027 | January 4, 2027

Lab2Market Launch is for students, researchers, and recent graduates with validated research-based ventures ready to grow. Over 16 weeks, participants receive $10k in stipend funding, expert mentorship, coaching, and access to a national network to strengthen their business model, accelerate growth, and prepare for future funding. Apply now.

McMaster's Startup Ecosystem

Upcoming Events

L2M Launch Climate & Energy National - Summer 2027 Information Session

October 16, 2026 | 2:00-3:00 PM | Virtual

Join this information session to learn how Lab2Market Launch helps entrepreneurial students and research teams transform innovative ideas into scalable technology ventures. Discover the program's mentorship, coaching, workshops, $10,000 participant stipend, and national network of experts, while exploring how Launch can help you validate your business model, accelerate growth, and prepare for future funding opportunities. Learn more

Lab2Market Validate - Summer 2027 Information Session

November 5, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM | Virtual

Curious whether your research solves a real-world problem? Attend a Lab2Market Validate information session to learn how the program supports researchers in conducting customer discovery, validating market opportunities, and building entrepreneurial skills. Learn more

McMaster Entrepreneurship Week Spotlight: Innovation Showcase

November 16, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM | McMaster Innovation Park

Celebrate McMaster’s research and innovation community while networking with industry leaders, investors, academics, and entrepreneurs. Discover groundbreaking research and commercialization achievements, and enjoy highlights including a student poster competition, the $75K Postdoc Entrepreneur Fellowship pitch competition, and the Innovator Awards ceremony. Learn more

McMaster Entrepreneurship Week Spotlight: Accelerated Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Opportunities

November 17, 2026 | 10:30-11:30 AM | Hybrid

Join us to discover opportunities to engage in McMaster’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and find out how to bring your entrepreneurship ideas to life. Learn more

McMaster Entrepreneurship Week Spotlight: The Forge Startup Survivor Pitch Competition

November 18, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 PM | L.R. Wilson, Concert Hall

Watch McMaster’s top student startups compete head-to-head in The Forge’s annual Startup Survivor Pitch Competition. Meet emerging entrepreneurs, connect with the local innovation community, and cheer on finalists as they deliver five-minute pitches for a share of the competition’s $30,000 prize pool. Learn more

Discover more events

Your opinion matters

Calling all McMaster Entrepreneurs!

Complete the survey before December 31, 2026

Are you launching a company while studying or working at McMaster, participating in an entrepreneurship course or program, involved with The Clinic or The Forge, or working to commercialize your research? Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship or already building your venture, researchers want to hear from you!

Librarians from McMaster, the University of Toronto, and the University of Alberta are conducting a research study to better understand the business research needs of campus entrepreneurs across Canada. Your input will help improve the resources and support available to entrepreneurs.

Complete the 20-minute survey for a chance to win a $100 prize.

If you are interested in participating or if you have any questions, please contact Jeff Mason, McMaster University Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Librarian, at masonj27@mcmaster.ca. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance from the McMaster Research Ethics Board (Project # 8406)