HAMILTON, ON — April 23, 2026 — Yesterday, Innovation Factory held its New Venture Pitch Challenge night, featuring live pitches and engaging networking. The event, which serves as the culmination of a three-week mentorship program, featured promising early-stage entrepreneurs presenting refined business plans to a panel of expert judges.
With 10 selected innovators receiving pitch training, the program offers the opportunity for the top five companies to compete for a $500 prize. Ryan Macor, COO of LIOR Pupillometry, earned the evening’s top honours for their medtech device that measures the pupillary light reflex in seconds and delivers quantifiable neurological information at the point of care.
“While the pitch competition is a highlight, the true objective of the program is ensuring these founders possess the confidence and commercial clarity to scale,” said David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory. “These innovators are building solutions and businesses that will drive impact for the region and province, and we are eager to support them on their path to market.”
The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of Macers. The event also provided a networking environment for founders to connect and build relationships with members from the regional innovation ecosystem.
The New Venture Pitch Challenge program reinforces Innovation Factory’s commitment to advancing the tech ecosystem by nurturing early-stage ventures and supporting them as they transition from start-up to scaling their businesses.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the Brant, Halton, Hamilton and Norfolk regions since 2010. Innovation Factory provides business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to drive market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and increase revenues, investment, and jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources, including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data, and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.
