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Masterclass Entrepreneurship Series

What is the Masterclass Entrepreneurship Series?

The Masterclass Entrepreneurship Series supports researchers and innovators in translating ideas into real-world impact. Through structured, expert-led sessions, participants learn to define meaningful problems, develop strong value propositions, and position their innovations for successful implementation and commercialization.

Masterclass: Foundations of Commercialization

The Masterclass: Foundations of Commercialization is the first offering of the Masterclass Entrepreneurship Series. It serves as the training program for the Heersink ACE50. This $50,000 funding opportunity, with up to $150,000 in additional funding available, is designed to advance high-potential innovations aligned with the goals of the Accelerating Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (ACE) report.

Masterclass Breakdown & Program Elements

All sessions will be held in the Marnix E. Heersink School of Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MDCL 3013), from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. 

  • Understand the role of commercialization and entrepreneurship in translating research into impact 
  • Explore key concepts, pathways, and the broader innovation ecosystem 
  • Validate your problem by identifying unmet needs and engaging stakeholders 
  • Define a value proposition and assess market opportunity and gaps 
  • Analyze the competitive landscape and position your innovation  
  • Understand regulatory considerations and intellectual property strategies  
  • Develop a business model and explore reimbursement and funding pathways 
  • Build a scalable go-to-market strategy aligned with implementation 
  • Craft a narrative that communicates your innovation  
  • Tailor your pitch to resonate with investors and stakeholders 
  • Deliver a refined pitch in a feedback-driven environment 
  • Incorporate peer and expert feedback to strengthen the pitch 

Information Box Group

Expectations

  • Pre-readings (videos, articles, and case studies) must be completed before each session.
  • Participants should be prepared for additional ‘homework’ between sessions.
  • Pitch decks will be revised weekly in preparation for the final presentation.

Who Should Apply

Researchers across all faculties developing needs-driven innovations who wish to strengthen their commercialization and storytelling skills.  

Eligibility:  

  • Applicants must be a researcher, postdoc, or PhD supervised by a faculty member
  • Applicants can apply individually or as a team*
  • Applicants must enter the program with a commercialization idea for an unmet need

*Teams must identify a lead representative. Consistent participation is strongly recommended to support readiness for the Heersink ACE50 Pitch Competition. 

Application Process

Applicants must submit an application. Applications will be assessed based on their ability to identify a clear unmet need and a proposed solution.  

Up to 10 teams will be enrolled in the Foundations of Commercialization Masterclass.  

Applications Due: May 15, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: June 5, 2026 

Meet the Speakers

Masterclass: Foundations of Commercialization is led by experts with experience across health innovation, venture development, life sciences commercialization, business strategy, intellectual property, regulatory pathways and investment readiness.

Participants will learn directly from founders, industry leaders and commercialization advisors who understand what it takes to move an idea from early promise to real-world application.

Mackensey Bacon, MSc

Co-founder & CEO, NodeAI
LinkedIn

Kari Dalnoki Veress, PhD

Co-founder & CTO, MesoMat; Professor, Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University
Website | MesoMat

Paul Fowler, MSc

Co-founder & CEO, MesoMat
LinkedIn | MesoMat

 

Dave Mammoliti, PhD

Director, Executive Innovation Programs, DeGroote Heersink Hub
LinkedIn

Randy Peterson, PhD

Vice President, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC)
LinkedIn

Mark Smithyes, MBA

President, Janus Life Sciences Consulting
LinkedIn

Heersink ACE50 

Masterclass participants will be invited to submit a full application at the end of July to be considered for the Heersink ACE50 pitch competition. Details will be shared during the program.