Founders Fast Track
Accelerate your business in 8 weeks
Innovation Factory’s Founders Fast Track is an intensive training program to help equip your start-up as you prepare for your first fundraise with the essential tools, resources, and skills you need to succeed.
Applications are closed.
Successful companies will be notified by April 15, 2025. The program will begin May 7, 2025.
About Founders Fast Track
Apply to participate in this unique and interactive 8-week training cohort. Innovation Factory’s Founders Fast Track program offers a free, comprehensive curriculum that covers essential topics, including customer development, pitch training, funding strategies, and market insights. Eligible start-ups gain access to mentorship, network-building activities, and educational workshops.
Founders Fast Track culminates in a demo event where your company will have the opportunity to connect and pitch to a minimum of three angel or pre-seed/seed-stage investors.
The top 10 best-performing start-ups, based on scores from the investors, will be offered an exclusive invitation to pitch for cash prizes and more at Innovation Factory’s flagship competition, LiONS LAIR, in front of an audience of 350+ people.
8 week program schedule
Week 1 – Kick-off and pitch workshop: Meet and greet, program introduction and pitch training
Week 2 – Founders unplugged: Networking with your cohort and hear from successful later-stage founders as they share their journeys with you!
Week 3 – Growth mindset: Discover how to make smart decisions with your limited sales and marketing resources.
Week 4 – Numbers matter: Learn the do’s and don’ts of establishing your valuation and building your data room for investors.
Week 5 – Mandatory pitch practice: Participate in mandatory pitch practice with one of our expert advisors.
Week 6 – On-demand learning: Gain insights into intellectual property protection and alternative funding options for sustainable business growth.
Week 7 – Investor speed dress rehearsal: Practice delivering your 5-minute pitch ahead of demo day.
Week 8 – Investor pitch demo day: Deliver your 5-minute pitch, build early relationships with investors, and potentially qualify for the LiONS LAIR gala pitch competition.
Please see the application form for the current cohort program session dates.
Who should apply to Founders Fast Track
You should apply to Founders Fast Track if your business:
- Is past proof of concept
- Is in the start-up to SME stage of business
- Is an innovative and scalable technology, product or service
- Falls within one of the following sectors: Life science, information and communication technology (ICT), advanced manufacturing, smart transportation and/or cleantech, and social innovation
- Is ready to engage with our training sessions and expert mentors
- Is able to participate and engage with us at our Hamilton and Halton office locations
Interested? Sign up for notifications
Sign up to receive email notifications when applications open for the next cohort.
Interested? Apply now!
Apply now for the upcoming cohort of Founders Fast Track beginning on May 7, 2025. Applications close April 13 2025.
LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition
LiONS LAIR is an annual competition presented by Innovation Factory and brings together the entrepreneurship and innovation community in the Hamilton-Halton region. The competition gives innovators the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of our city’s top business experts – the “LiONS” – for a chance to win big prizes.
Cohort participants
Check out who has gone through the program already! Click to learn more about their innovative technologies and solutions.
Innovator spotlights
Find out how Founders Fast Track and LiONS LAIR have helped these innovators take their businesses to the next level.
