McMaster Entrepreneurship Week launched with energy and purpose last night as five top ventures from The Clinic’s six-month Innovation Residency program took the stage to pitch innovations designed to advance health outcomes across Canada and beyond. Selected from a competitive cohort of emerging health innovators, these finalists showcased the progress they’ve made after half a year of mentorship and coaching, real-world testing, and development of their ventures.
The Innovation Residency at The Clinic is a dynamic six-month accelerator designed to equip aspiring innovators with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to turn bold ideas into tangible health solutions. Residents receive one-on-one coaching, attend monthly sprint pitch sessions, gain insights through expert roundtables, and access dedicated collaborative space and resources to advance prototyping, business modelling, regulatory strategy, and product testing. The program culminates in a final pitch competition, where innovators present their ventures to judges, partners, and the broader Hamilton health innovation ecosystem for a chance to win $5,000.
Last night’s showcase reflected the depth, diversity, and ambition of this year’s cohort. The finalists included:
Our judging panel included Dr. Esther Chin (Founder, Stitch; assistant professor and global health lead in McMaster’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and gynecological surgeon at Hamilton Health Sciences), Matt Cormier, PhD (Associate, HaloHealth), and Alek Tirpan (Senior Program Manager, Innovation Factory). The judges evaluated each venture on innovation, feasibility, impact, and readiness for real-world adoption, and they quizzed every team during the Q&A before stepping out to deliberate. Following their decision and the audience vote, the results were announced:
Judge’s Choice Winner: NeuroSpritz Inc.
People’s Choice Winner: Visionaryth, (selected by attendees).
And while two teams took home top honours, every finalist delivered an impressive and high-calibre pitch, showing a cohort full of innovators we are confident will continue advancing their ventures and making meaningful contributions to health innovation.
Entrepreneurship Week continues with events, panels, competitions, and workshops happening across campus and throughout Hamilton’s innovation ecosystem.
Explore the full calendar of activities here.
To learn more about the Innovation Residency and other offerings from The Clinic and the Marnix E. Heersink School of Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship, visit our website, visit our website.