Overview

McMaster’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) program supports the translation of impactful McMaster-developed technologies and discoveries into successful commercial products and services. The McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) and the Associate Vice-President, Research (Commercialization & Entrepreneurship) are engaging experienced executives, investors, and serial entrepreneurs interested in contributing their expertise and experience to advance high-potential commercialization opportunities. MILO manages the University’s intellectual property, industry partnerships and commercialization activities. In this program, EIRs work closely with MILO on projects with McMaster faculty (researchers and clinicians) and provide guidance and domain expertise for IP decisions, pre-commercial development, and spin-out opportunities.

Desired qualifications and experience for McMaster EIRs include:

• Executive, entrepreneur, or investor with extensive experience in running companies, divisions and/or investments in different fields, including engineering, life sciences, and health/medical sciences
• Preferably, a post-exit professional interested in opportunities for assessing and facilitating early-stage academic research towards commercialization without long term commitments
• Track record of identifying early-stage and high growth opportunities, and subsequent strategies for development into companies, products, services, or contracts
• Experience spanning start-ups and corporate environments
• Robust network of contacts for facilitating potential investment, development, or partnerships

Expectations and Outcomes

The goal of this program is to help McMaster founders at all stages develop and commercialize their technologies through connecting Entrepreneurs-in-Residence to high potential McMaster commercialization opportunities.

General structure:

• EIRs sign an engagement letter and confidentiality agreements ahead of introductions.
• MILO facilitates introductions to faculty and/or student/faculty teams
• When a match has been made between a current or potential McMaster founder and an EIR, the EIR works closely with McMaster faculty or student/faculty teams to develop a plan and determine milestones for the venture over the course of the engagement
• Communicate with MILO on a biweekly basis regarding progress, challenges, and successes
• The ideal outcome is for the EIR to remain involved in a McMaster start up at the end of their engagement

Get Involved

For details on how to apply to become an EIR, or how to access an EIR if you’re McMaster Faculty working on a new venture, please contact Leigh Wilson.