Hardware Catalyst Initiative

About

Dedicated to supporting Canadian silicon and hardware companies for up to 24 months, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative provides a comprehensive advisory program to accelerate commercialization at scale through initiatives focused on: customer acquisition, product development from proof-of-concept to manufacturing, building strong IP, and acquiring and retaining talent. We understand that hardware founders experience unique challenges to commercialize their products, such as limited capital, long lead times and limited technical expertise. With this in mind, ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is a competitive program that is offered at no cost and with no equity requirement to eligible companies.

Participating companies will be able to access our world class $11M Hardware Lab & a free workspace with up to 2 badges per company, a global network of partners, dedicated in-house advisors to support founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products — including healthcare technology, connected transportation and automobility, consumer electronics, telecommunications, and more.

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Applications for the Hardware Catalyst Initiative program are now closed.

Interested to the program? Fill out the Expression of Interest Form here for intake in 2025.

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Explore the Program

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. ‍‍‍

Founder Expectations

Founders accepted into the Hardware Catalyst Initiative can expect to work with dedicated advisors and mentors to develop, review, and track:‍

‍Product design and development plan, including design and supply chain partners, and Prototyping & Testing Lab utilization
IP identification and strategic protection plan
Customer engagement program with early adopters‍
Financial planning of revenue growth, expenditures, and ongoing development of your pitch and investor engagement‍
A Talent acquisition plan, when applicable

FAQ

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Eligibility & Application Process

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!

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Eligibility

Company was founded within 5 years immediately preceding the application
Company earned less than $5M in revenue in last 12 months
Directly involved in the development of a novel electronic product involving advanced elements such as a custom semiconductor, sensor, silicon-based IP or embedded system hardware
Has customer engagement that validates the need and demonstrates that the team can attract and work with customers
Company is incorporated in Canada
Has a CRA business number
Has 99 or fewer employees
Has a co-founding team (of at least 2 or more) capable of product development, customer acquisition, and investment acquisition
If located in Canada, but not in Southern Ontario, company has plans to establish a long-term presence in Southern Ontario
If a Canadian Corporation, all IP developed through the program will be assigned to the Company.
If a foreign-controlled company, a Canadian entity in Southern Ontario must be established prior to commencing the program, and all IP developed through the program must be assigned to the Canadian entity

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Application Process:

Step 1: Submit your application
Step 2: A team of advisors and experts will review your application and reach out for further details, or conversations
Step 3: After initial evaluation, ventureLAB™ will invite founders to present to panel for further consideration
Step 4: Panels will take place after the submission closure
Step 5: All candidates will be notified of their status within 6 weeks of the submission closure date
Step 6: Successful candidates will participate in a 2-month Hardware Catalyst Initiative Bootcamp where they will establish meaningful relationships with the ventureLAB team and partners, as well as build the foundation for the program
Step 7: ventureLAB will endeavour to provide all applications recommendations for our portfolio of programs and services

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Can I use the lab without being apart of the program?

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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How do I join ventureLAB?

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.

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Do you charge for services?

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.