Do you have critical business projects that could use an extra set of hands, but your current budget is holding you back? As a founder, moving your startup forward at a rapid pace is essential, yet managing your workload solo or with a lean team can lead to ultimate burnout. Finding the right talent is a hurdle every growing company faces, but the solution might be closer than you think.

Join us for this informative webinar to learn how you can access much-needed helping hands from university students to get your startup moving faster and cost-effectively. We will hear from our ecosystem partners at McMaster University to explore how your business can leverage student interns and co-ops to streamline your operations and accelerate growth. Whether you are looking for short-term support or long-term talent pipelines, this session will give you the exact roadmap to connect with one of Canada’s top universities.

What you’ll learn

This practical session is designed to give you direct insight into navigating university talent systems. By attending this workshop, you will gain the clarity to:

• Connect with McMaster University: Learn how to navigate the university hiring portals and build direct relationships with talent coordinators.

• Identify ideal programs of study: Understand which academic departments and faculties offer the best solutions for your specific business or technical needs.

• Access flexible talent options: Explore the distinct advantages of both paid and unpaid student support to see which model fits your current business stage.

• Leverage funding opportunities: Discover available grants, wage subsidies, and provincial tax credits that dramatically lower the cost of onboarding student talent.

For early-stage companies and growing startups, human capital is often the most significant constraint on progress. This event matters because it bridges the gap between ambitious founders and high-calibre student talent looking for real-world experience. By participating in these collaborative ecosystem programs, you support the broader innovation community while gaining an affordable, highly motivated workforce to execute your projects. Embracing student talent is a proven way to scale your operations, build a future full-time hiring pipeline, and keep your business agile.

Who should attend

This workshop is open to the public and tailormade for organizations eager to expand their capabilities without breaking the bank. You should attend if you are:

• Companies at any stage looking for immediate project support.

• Early-stage founders seeking unpaid project help to validate a proof of concept.

• Later-stage startups looking for longer-term internships to fill technical or operational roles.

Meet the speakers

McMaster University Co-op and Career Team

Representatives from McMaster University‘s dedicated career and co-op departments will guide you through this session. Renowned for its world-class research and top-tier student talent, the team at McMaster specializes in matching innovative businesses with students from diverse disciplines, including engineering, business, humanities, and health sciences. They bring a wealth of knowledge on how employers can easily post jobs, interview candidates, and successfully secure government wage subsidies.

Accessibility and accommodation requests

This event will be delivered virtually via Zoom with Closed Captioning (CC) available. If you require additional accommodations, please contact info@innovationfactory.ca.