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 December 15, 2025. The program will begin January 8, 2026.

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 pitch refinement, investor communication, funding strategies, and due diligence preparation. 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 – Program Kick-off and Funding Essentials: Meet your cohort and receive a program introduction. Learn what angels and VCs look for in a start-up and about the different types of funding available for your stage.

Week 2 – Founders Unplugged, sponsored by Deloitte: Network with your cohort and hear from successful later-stage founders as they share their growth journeys and valuable insights.

Week 3 – Investor Communications: Learn how to communicate effectively with investors. Develop strategies to tackle objections and master the art of the Q&A portion of your pitch.

Week 4 – Dollars, Data & Diligence: Learn the do’s and don’t’s of establishing your valuation. Focus on building your data room and ensuring your financials are ready for investor due diligence.

Week 5 – Pitch Practice: Deliver your pitch to an expert advisor and receive specific feedback. This essential session helps you strengthen your narrative and refine your investment pitch.

Week 6 – On-demand Learning and Partner Office Hours: Explore critical funding options beyond equity through our on-demand course. Connect one-on-one with our partners across finance, legal, and intellectual property for focused feedback.

Week 7 – Demo Day Rehearsal: Your final preparation. Practice your 5-minute pitch in front of an expert advisor and a former LiONS LAIR judge to ensure your presentation is flawless for Demo Day.

Week 8 – Investor Demo Day, sponsored by Deloitte: Deliver your 5-minute pitch to investors, build early relationships, and potentially qualify for the final LiONS LAIR 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

Interested? Apply now!

Apply now for the upcoming cohort of Founders Fast Track beginning on January 8, 2026. Applications close December 7, 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.