More than 150 startup founders, students, graduates, researchers and investors gathered this week to recognize McMaster entrepreneurs whose innovations have made a real-world impact.  

The second annual Made at Mac event celebrated the research excellence, culture of problem-based learning and supports for entrepreneurial students and faculty that are driving the rapid growth of McMaster’s innovation ecosystem. 

“What’s unique about this ecosystem is we’re building the wraparound supports for taking innovations and commercializing them, and getting them out to the broader public,” said Provost and Vice-president (Academic) Susan Tighe, who moderated a panel discussion between McMaster entrepreneurs at every various stages in their ventures.  

McMaster has embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship in recent years, said professor and panellist Eric Brown, CEO of biotech company Kapoose Creek Bio.  

“The momentum in the last few years has been extremely heartening,” he said. “It feels like this place is just abuzz with talk of entrepreneurship and the role of a university in the ecosystem.”  

Entrepreneurial activity is part of McMaster’s DNA, said Sean Van Koughnett, associate vice-president, Students and special advisor to the president, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who co-hosted the event with Leyla Soleymani, associate vice-president, Research (Commercialization and Entrepreneurship).  

McMaster’s unique talent and resources — like the research reactor and breadth of nuclear research expertise — set the university apart from others, said fellow panelist Damian Lamb, a McMaster graduate and the co-founder of Genesys Capital, which invested in McMaster spinoff Fusion Pharmaceuticals.

“There’s not a lot of people that can claim that capability and expertise, and I think we should be aggressively building on those capabilities.”  

Exceptional talent  

Being around other entrepreneurs is immensely valuable, said panelist Deena Al-Sammak, a Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences student and the co-founder of Power of Play Innovations.  

“I knew I really wanted to get into entrepreneurship, but I didn’t know where to start,” Al Sammak said. “So, I went and camped out at The Clinic @ Mac because I wanted to be in a space where there were like-minded individuals.”  

The panel also featured Auper Motorcycles co-founder Silvio Rotillo Filho, who graduated from McMaster with a PhD in electrical engineering. He started his electric motorcycle company with support from the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre and The Forge business incubator.  

Filho, who is from Brazil, said choosing to base Auper at McMaster Innovation Park is one of the best decisions he made.  

“We have such a broad talent pool here that is very hard to find in any other place … You don’t need a massive team; you need a very small, talented team with passion to push things forward.”  

Exceptional McMaster talent is also a critical factor for Trst Innovations, said co-founder and CEO Tyler Stiene, who was part of the event’s founder showcase. Trst technology allows users to pay for purchases by simply scanning the palm of their hand at participating retailers.  

“We’re focused on demonstrating our tech in this environment with these people here,” said Stiene, a McMaster graduate. “It’s giving us a real opportunity to interact face-to-face with the people … as we vet the technology.”  

“Not only has our brand been embraced by partners within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, but it has also become a powerful symbol of the social and economic impact that Made at Mac solutions are making both at home and around the world,” said Soleymani.  

Andy Knights, acting vice-president, Research, thanked Soleymani and Van Koughnett for their leadership.  

“At a time when it’s needed most, their efforts will ensure more Made at Mac solutions contribute to Canada’s social and economic landscape — creating jobs, wealth, and opportunity.” 

McMaster Student Seed Fund recipients were announced at the celebration. The following startups will receive $15,000 and access to hands-on mentorship to fast-track their company growth:  

• Arche Biotechnologies, founded by Laura Venier (also received an additional $10,000 investment from The Clinic @ Mac)  

• Better Bionics, founded by Ahmed Ibrahim and Mohaimen Ibrahim  

• LIVESENS, founded by Ali Hamdy, Eddy Su and Jase Jin  

• MiON Forest, founded by Anni Naharin Sultana and Sanghyun Kim  

• Power of Play, founded by Deena Al-Sammak and Rooaa Shanshal  

• Respyra Technologies, founded by Hunter Csetri, Emnpreet Bahra, Lily Zhong and Esa Ahmad  

Learn more here about the initiatives and programs to support entrepreneurship at McMaster.  

 

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