A celebration of McMaster’s dynamic innovation ecosystem

An event at Enedym — a McMaster startup located at McMaster Innovation Park — celebrated the many people who contribute to McMaster’s growing research enterprise, and its resounding impact in the community and the world.

Insight Medbotics uses robotic imaging for breast cancer diagnostics. A.I. VALI uses interactive machine learning for real-time endoscopy analysis. 20/20 OptimEYES Technologies is transforming eye health.

The researchers behind these and many other McMaster-based startups joined other entrepreneurs and industry partners at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) this week to celebrate the achievements and transformative impact of McMaster’s robust innovation ecosystem.

Bringing together leaders in research and commercialization, startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs, the event was hosted at Enedym Inc., a technology startup headquartered at McMaster Automotive Resource Centre, which is part of MIP, and founded by engineering professor Ali Emadi.

“So many people contribute to McMaster’s growing and dynamic innovation ecosystem — from experienced and aspiring founders to our seed fund recipients, partners, mentors and investment committee members,” said Andy Knights, vice-president, Research (acting).

“Individually and collectively, their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative companies are having a resounding impact here in Hamilton and in the lives of many across Canada and the world.”

Over the last decade, McMaster’s top 24 startup companies have created 600 jobs and raised $515M in investment.

Attendees connected with colleagues and investors and heard first-hand from McMaster Seed Fund recipients about how they have transformed their research into solutions that are driving societal and economic impact in the Hamilton region and beyond.

“The Seed Fund is transformational for McMaster researchers and is reflective of our commitment to nurturing our growing entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Leyla Soleymani, associate vice-president, Research (Commercialization & Entrepreneurship).

“We’re excited to continue working with the McMaster Industry Liaison Office to launch more initiatives that support our commercialization pipeline and innovation leaders, including both students and faculty.”

The McMaster Seed Fund is designed to foster research-intensive and innovative startup companies that will have a significant economic and societal impact in the Greater Hamilton Area. It addresses the early-stage startup gap, enabling innovations to transition from research breakthroughs into products and services.

The event was hosted by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and the McMaster Industry Liaison Office.