Mentorship Day forges new connections between McMaster entrepreneurs  

Grid of 3 pictures of people smiling and talking and shaking hands as they sit across the table from one another.

Hosted in partnership with the Forge, Innovation Factory and the Clinic, The McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy's Mentorship Day fostered new connections between expert and emerging entrepreneurs from across the university’s innovation ecosystem.

BY Daniella Fiorentino, Office of the VP Research

September 24, 2024

The McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy hosted its first Mentorship Day, forging valuable connections between established and emerging entrepreneurs.

More than 50 mentors and mentees who are working to commercialize their research gathered on campus to share ideas, advice and inspiration with one another.

Whether you’re a student or faculty member, entrepreneurship is instrumental in turning research into impact, and mentorship plays a key role in entrepreneurs’ success, says Leyla Soleymani, associate vice-president, research (commercialization & entrepreneurship).

“Mentorship offers entrepreneurs the guidance, insights and support they need to navigate the startup journey,” Soleymani says.

“We’ve taken a sector-agnostic approach for this event and brought in partners from across McMaster’s innovation ecosystem to offer broad support to our entrepreneurs.”

A speed-mentoring session gave participants a chance to connect and expand their entrepreneurial networks. A panel discussion focused on best practices in fundraising, investor pitches and startup development.

A row of panelists seated against a backdrop of McMaster panels.
From left to right: Claudia Hui, VP Investment Banking, Bloom Burton; Ben Su, Capita; Inge Christensen, the Forge & Innovation Factory; Colin Calvert, Nicoya; and moderator Lauren Brown, the Forge.

Launched this year, the McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy hosts a variety of programs that aim to inspire, support and reward established and aspiring McMaster entrepreneurs as they turn their research breakthroughs into high-value products and services.

Along the way, participants have opportunities to connect with peer mentors, investors, advisors and industry leaders to help them grow their businesses.

Programs like the Academy’s, combined with the crucial services provided by the McMaster Industry Liaison Office and ecosystem partners, are what make McMaster the perfect place for researchers to advance their innovations, says Andy Knights, vice-president, research (acting).

“Across the disciplines, our student and faculty entrepreneurs are making incredible strides in innovation – transforming their research into products and services that tackle some of our most pressing global challenges in health, energy, technology and so much more,” says Knights.

“McMaster is proud to support our innovators throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.”

For more information on entrepreneurship at McMaster, visit the entrepreneurship website or stop by the Innovation Showcase on Nov. 19.