Program Runs: October 29 – December 3, 2026. Register by October 20.
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.
Open to students, researchers, faculty and staff from every Faculty, the program introduces the skills, tools and mindsets needed to take an idea from problem identification to market opportunity.
Whether you have an idea you want to explore or are simply curious about entrepreneurship, this is the place to start.
This six-session, immersive program is designed to help emerging innovators explore the commercial potential of ideas, research and technologies.
Participants work alongside peers from across McMaster to identify meaningful problems, understand potential users and markets, develop compelling value propositions, explore commercialization pathways and learn how to communicate an idea through an effective pitch.
Throughout the program, participants apply what they learn directly to an idea or opportunity while receiving guidance, feedback and insights from experienced entrepreneurs and members of McMaster’s innovation ecosystem.
The program is delivered by the DeGroote Heersink Hub in partnership with the DeGroote School of Business, and takes place at the Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge (MEB) on campus.
No startup experience required. No idea? No problem. Curiosity is enough to get started.
By the end of ACE, participants will have:
ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp is designed for McMaster students, researchers, faculty and staff from all Faculties and disciplines who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship or commercialization.
You might have:
ACE welcomes ideas from every sector and discipline. Health, engineering, science, business, humanities, social sciences and beyond are all welcome.
ACE Bootcamps are delivered by the DeGroote Heersink Hub as part of McMaster’s growing ecosystem for commercialization and entrepreneurship, in partnership with the DeGroote School of Business.
Identify meaningful problems, understand stakeholder needs and validate the opportunity.
Understand your users, explore the competitive landscape and define the value of your solution.
Move from problem to solution and learn how to develop and test a minimum viable product.
Build a compelling story, structure your pitch and craft a strong hook.
Explore business models, go-to-market strategies, funding and intellectual property.
Put it all together, present your idea and receive supportive feedback from peers and judges.
McMaster students, researchers, faculty and staff from all Faculties and disciplines are welcome to register.
Register for the ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp
Only $50 + HST to join with entry fee going into the prize pool
October 29 – December 3, 2026 Six sessions | Two hours per session Location: Marinucci Entrepreneurial Bridge (MEB), McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery @ The McMaster University Campus