Funding & Investment Opportunities
Building your business takes hard work, dedication… and well… money! Although we are not a funding agent, our team can work with you to help identify and navigate possible funding programs, loans or investors that could be best for your business. Not to mention, we offer training and workshops to help you prepare for an investment or product pitch.
Are you ready for investment? Will you be planning for investment in the future? Let us help you understand what type of investment source is right for you and what you need to prepare. Our team can provide access to:
- Strategic introductions
- Research support to determine your company’s valuation
- Expert advisors
- Angel investor panels
- Due diligence expertise
Applications: OPEN
Apply to become a client with Innovation Factory and receive guidance specific to your business, access to our client-exclusive resources and much more.
APPLY TO BECOME A CLIENT LEARN MORE ABOUT iF’S SERVICES
AVAILABLE GRANTS with Innovation factory
i.d.e.a fund
Access up to $30,000 in matching funds to support strategies such as talent attraction, raising follow-on investment, product development, market value propositions, commercialization of intellectual property, and market diversification.
Applications: MARCH 2023
Tags: grant commercialization southern ontario start-up sme digital ict advanced manufacturing integrated mobility life science clean tech social innovation diversity
SOPHIE Commercialization Projects
Access up to $100,000 in matching funds to work on a collaborative commercialization project with a world-class research hospital or academic institution in Hamilton’s health ecosystem.
Applications: OPEN
Tags: grant life science product commercialization ontario start-up sme
HEALTHI Program
Leverage $15,000 to work directly with research administration groups at Hamilton Health Sciences or St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton to prepare all pre-trial documents, protocols and processes required to launch your next commercialization project at one of Hamilton’s world-class research hospitals.
Applications: OPEN
Tags: grant life science project planning and protocol canada start-up sme
innovation factory pitch competitions
Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition
Compete for cash prizes and in-kind in Ontario’s leading life science pitch competition. Participate in 3-months (January – March) of intensive workshops and training designed to support Canada’s next generation of life science start-ups. The Competition is designed to help entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers to bring their ideas to market, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs.
Applications: OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2022
Tags: pitch competition life science ontario researcher innovator scientist start-up sme
LEARN MORE ABOUT SYNAPSE COMPETITION
LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition
Compete for cash prizes in Hamilton’s largest pitch competition. Participate in 4-months (June – September) of intensive workshops and training designed to support Canada’s next generation of innovators. The Competition is designed to help entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to market, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs.
Applications: Selected through Founders Fast Track Program
Tags: pitch competition digital ict advanced manufacturing integrated mobility life science clean tech social innovation southern ontario start-up sme
iNNOVATION fACTORY pROGRAMS
iNVESTMENT rEADINESS pROGRAM
The Investment Readiness program was developed by David W. Wright of Cassio Capital Advisors in collaboration with Angel One and Equation Angels. It is primarily focused on preparing early-stage companies for raising capital; whether that involves pitches to individual angel investors, venture capitalists or corporations (M&A activity). You will work with proven tools and templates for gathering the information necessary to close a deal! You will pitch, get feedback and gain skills and knowledge required to satisfy potential investors.
Spring Term: April – June 2023
Fall Term: TBD
Tags: course investment corporate valuation fundraising innovator pitching start-up investors
LEARN MORE ABOUT INVESTMENT READINESS
Couldn’t find what you need?

HANDS-ON ADVISORY SERVICES
Apply to become a client with Innovation Factory and receive guidance specific to your business, access to our client-exclusive resources and much more.
integrated mobility sector
If you have an integrated mobility technology, connect with our team at the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility.
LIFE SCIENCE ECOSYSTEM
If you are interested in connecting with Hamilton’s vibrant and dynamic health ecosystem, connect with the team at the Synapse Life Science Consortium.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SYNAPSE CONSORTIUM
the latest news on funding
Join our newsletter. Twice a month, we will send you a summary of some of the latest grants and funding opportunities that we have sourced. Compiled in one convenient place for you, and sent to your inbox!