Entrepreneurship resources

MaRS helps Canada’s most promising founders build successful companies. Explore advice, lessons and tips from this community of entrepreneurs.

We recommend the following topics:

• Recruiting a co-founder
• Self-care for founders and teams
• Identifying your competitors
• Conducting a competitive analysis

“The Only 10 Slides You Need in Your Pitch” outlines the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint, a simple guideline for creating effective presentations. It suggests that a pitch deck should include 10 slides, delivered in 20 minutes, using a font no smaller than 30 points. This rule helps streamline communication and ensures your audience stays engaged.

Not sure where to begin your entrepreneurial journey, need help deciding between business ideas, or curious about upcoming events and opportunities? Join The Forge’s Office Hours. Whether you’re exploring if entrepreneurship is the right path or seeking guidance for your startup, our team is here to support you. Drop by for personalized advice and discover the free resources available to help you succeed!

The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management and entrepreneurial tool. It allows you to describe, design, challenge, invent, and pivot your business model. This method from the bestselling management book Business Model Generation is applied in leading organizations and startups worldwide.

Take this free online course about the basics of intellectual property and commercialization at McMaster. Fundamental knowledge of both IP and commercialization will enhance the impact and value of your ideas and innovations.

Explore the IP and Regulatory Handbook for Health and Research Innovators to learn about the essentials of intellectual property and regulatory requirements in health and research innovation. This resource provides foundational knowledge of IP protection, commercialization strategies, and compliance with health product regulations. Understanding these concepts will enhance the impact and success of your health research and innovations.

Watch The Mom Test video to learn how to validate your business ideas by asking the right questions. This resource helps you avoid biased feedback from friends and family, ensuring you get honest, actionable insights to improve your ideas and make informed decisions.

Access the Entrepreneurship Research Guide from McMaster University for essential resources on business models, market research, funding, intellectual property, and case studies. This guide supports entrepreneurs at all stages, offering practical tools and real-world insights to help grow your business.

The Inventor’s Guide outlines important steps and factors to consider in the path to commercialization at McMaster University. This guide is organized to provide information on the technology transfer process and services available for researchers.

The Startup Guide is intended for McMaster faculty, staff, and students interested in launching a startup company based on intellectual property developed at McMaster University. It also provides relevant resources available throughout the process of starting a company.

This guide focuses on starting a company to commercialize the technology stemming from McMaster’s research programs, but it is full of useful information for every entrepreneur.