Programs AND SERVICES to help grow your business

Building your business doesn’t happen overnight. With Innovation Factory, you can put your business on the path to success and participate in hands-on workshops and comprehensive training programs covering key growth topics from sales and marketing, to investment readiness and intellectual property.

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SERVICES FOR START-UPS

Starting a business can be tough. How do you decide what to tackle first, who to reach out to or how to strategize? At Innovation Factory, we help innovative startups navigate the first steps to building a viable business and we’re dedicated to seeing them succeed. Learn more.

SERVICES FOR SCALING BUSINESSES

In a rapidly-changing economy, companies must be innovative to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive. This is especially true for small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that can sometimes lack the time, resources, or support to strategize for the future. Innovation Factory can help them meet these challenges. Learn more.

FUNDING AND INVESTMENT RESOURCES

Building a 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. Learn more.

ACADEMY AT INNOVATION FACTORY

Academy at Innovation Factory is an online learning platform featuring on-demand courses, available when and where YOU learn. Featuring everything from sales, marketing and brand building to legal, operations, human resources and more; Academy at iF can help you conveniently gain the know-how to launch, build, and scale a successful tech business. Learn more.

LION'S LAIR PITCH COMPETITION

LiONS LAIR is an annual competition presented by Innovation Factory, that brings together the entrepreneurship and innovation community in Hamilton. The competition gives 10 companies 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! To be eligible to participate in Lions Lair, innovators must apply for the Founders Fast Track program.

SYNAPSE LIFE SCIENCE COMPETITION

The Synapse Life Science Competition is an intensive cohort program designed to help move your innovative life science products and services out of the lab and into the market. The competition pairs early stage innovators with business and entrepreneurship students, and provides the training, mentorship and resources to be successful. Learn more.

CENTRE FOR INTEGRATED TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY

The Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM) is a an integral part of Innovation Factory. CITM supports start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises that are developing the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicle, smart mobility, and smart transportation technology. Learn more.

EXPERT Mentorship

Our Expert Advisors support you to develop and deploy your commercialization strategies, from product development, HR and hiring, sales, marketing, investment preparation and intellectual properties. As a client, we can connect you to the right expert advisor at an appropriate stage of your business.

MEET THE EXPERTS

*Clients who are at an efficiency or scale stage may access our expert advisors, otherwise it is at the discretion of your client services manager.

founders fast track

Accelerate your business in 6 weeks! Founders Fast Track is a 6-week intensive training program designed to equip your start-up as you embark on your first fundraiser with the essential tools, resources, and skills you need to succeed. PLUS, the top 10 best-performing start-ups will be offered an exclusive invitation to pitch for cash prizes and more at Innovation Factory’s flagship competition, LiONS LAIR!

Learn more about Founders Fast Track, when to apply, and our upcoming cohorts.

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SALES BOOTCAMP

Is your business ready to secure your first sale or scale with a sales strategy to reach your goals? Through this 4-part workshop series, you will learn how to set revenue goals; establish buyer personas and pricing methodology; implement sales tools and a CRM; build a sales plan, and how to grow your success.

Bootcamps are offered 4 times a year.

INVESTMENT READINESS BOOTCAMP

Do you plan to raise money? Expect to sell your company one day? Going through the due diligence process can be daunting. Tap into proven tools and templates to prepare you to close a deal! You will pitch, get feedback and gain skills and knowledge required to satisfy potential investors.

Bootcamps are offered 2 times a year.

OWNERSHIP – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROGRAM

Whether you are a seasoned firm or you are just getting started, knowing the steps you need to take to reduce risk and protect your innovation from the threats of a competitive landscape are essential. OwnershIP guides cohorts of innovative Canadian SMEs through understanding the IP landscape, the importance of owning and protecting their IP, and mapping out the route by which this can be achieved.

Learn more about the OwnershIP Program.

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PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING PROGRAMS

Build your network and learn from fellow innovators – join one of our peer groups and meet companies and disruptors just like you. Learn about resources, industry insight funding opportunities and more as you build a supportive network around your business.

Peer-to-Peer Networking Groups are established by sector.