Hardware Catalyst Initiative
Canada’s only hardware and semiconductor-focused lab & incubator.
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only lab and incubator for founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products, enabling the creation of transformative technologies that will power our products of tomorrow — including healthcare technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, smart energy, connected transportation, and more. Funded in part by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Hardware Catalyst Initiative helps tech companies accelerate their time to market in a sector that normally incurs lengthy entry and scale times, enabling Canadian hardware and semiconductor companies to grow and scale locally, and compete globally.
We understand that hardware founders experience unique challenges and have a finite amount of capital and time to bring their vision to reality. ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is a competitive program that is offered at no cost and with no equity requirement to eligible companies. Dedicated to supporting both silicon and hardware companies for up to 24 months, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative is enabling Canadian companies to grow and scale locally to compete globally.
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative provides direct resources to accelerate commercialization at scale through our initiatives focused on four pillars: raising capital, retaining talent, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition. Our team of talented advisors and expert partner ecosystem will grow your business develop and the Hardware Lab will incubate your hardware technology solutions.
What companies can expect:
Key Dates:
Upon the successful completion of Bootcamp, ventures will be assigned a dedicated lead advisor and invited to engage in the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, starting immediately after its conclusion. The participation of the Partner Showcase (virtual 5min introductory presentation), engagement in our Bootcamp modules, and the submission a Deliverable Workbook and milestones are among the “requirements” of Bootcamp.
* dates subject to change
Application Process:
Cohort 7 Application Call Is NOW CLOSED! Still Interested? Fill out an Expression of Interest form.
If invited for Bootcamp participation, companies can expect:
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative begins with a Bootcamp, which will take place before formal program acceptance. The Bootcamp is intended to offer immediate value to a larger group of eligible companies, and allow for mutual assessment of fit before committing to the full program.
The objective of the Bootcamp is to engage participants in mapping out their expected client journey over the course of their participation with the Initiative to ensure alignment between the founders, ventureLAB™ team, and partners. Expected outcomes include:
The Bootcamp consists of five main modules which are hosted weekly for 1.5-3 hours. It concludes with an introduction presentation in a Partner Showcase (an opportunity to pitch to our partner network, make connections and receive helpful feedback)
Founder Expectations
As the Hardware Catalyst Initiative is a two-year intensive program all founders accepted into the program should expect to work with dedicated advisors and mentors to develop, review, and track:
Cohort 7 Application Call Is NOW CLOSED! Still Interested? Fill out an Expression of Interest form.
Hardware Lab Subscription
Are you developing a hardware prototype and looking for convenient ways to test? ventureLAB™ is now accepting subscriptions to its world class Prototype & Testing Lab! Run as many tests as you want any day of the week or year, our lab is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Save money and time by subscribing to a fully-functioning lab environment right in Markham! If interested, please contact Derek Ma directly to learn more at dtekangma@venturelab.ca.
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We work with innovative growth and scale-stage hardware or enterprise software companies with some market traction. Your company needs to be incorporated in Canada and have a business (CRA) number. Most importantly, you must be coachable!
Apply to work with ventureLAB™ by filling in the form on our Apply page. Each year, we select over 100 ventures to join our diverse hub of founders. By working with ventureLAB, you’ll gain access to our initiatives focused on four pillars critical for any scaling company: raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition.
We take no equity in your company. Founders join small cohort sizes — meaning you get tailored, dedicated guidance to navigate your unique business challenges. You’ll develop relationships in a growing global community of mentors, investors, partners, manufacturers, supply chains, and fellow entrepreneurs, critical to the growth and scaling of your business.
