On March 5 over 130 people gathered at TwelvEighty Pub at McMaster University to hear 12 innovators pitch their business ideas at Innovation Night, Innovation Factory’s 2-minute pitch competition.

Co-hosted by Innovation Factory, the McMaster Entrepreneurship Association, the McMaster Social Innovation Lab and the McMaster Engineering & Management Society, Innovation Night brought together students, innovators and business professionals from the community.

“Innovation Night is a great way to learn about new and interesting ideas,” stated David Carter, Executive Director at Innovation Factory. “Participation from the entire community is important as the audience ultimately chooses the winners.”

The prize for “Best Pitch” was awarded to Lotus Leaf Tech for their hydrophobic toilet seat that will actively repel liquids, and keep a seat dry. The Greenlid was voted as having the “Best Business Idea,“ for their compostable organic waste container that requires no bag liners or cleaning.

This is the first time the event has been held at McMaster University.

“We were thrilled by the number of students that pitched their ideas as well as those who were in attendance tonight,” stated Carter. “We’re always looking for better ways to engage with student entrepreneurs and holding the event at McMaster was a great way for us to showcase our resources to this important demographic.”

Other businesses that presented at Innovation Night included: BookAMeeting.com, SportBuddy, McMaster Institute of Music and The Mind, Tooth Colour, Roboteurs, Fitness Test, Rota Novus, Smart Garden, Sales Best Practice, and Go Wrench.”