NGBiPlus S2.E2: Innovation Factory

Innovation Factory in Hamilton, Ontario is one of 17 regional innovation centres across Ontario providing free advisory services, training, and mentorship to entrepreneurs at every stage - from idea to scale-up. With a particular strength in life sciences, roughly 35% of the 850+ companies Innovation Factory supports each year come from that sector, drawn in part by Hamilton's exceptional ecosystem of hospitals, universities, and research institutions.In this episode, host Jim Wilson speaks with Shannon Graszat, Manager of Venture Growth at Innovation Factory, about how the organization helps founders turn ideas into products, access hospital and university networks, and tap into funding programs - all at no cost. Shannon discusses the Synapse Life Sciences Consortium, which brings together key institutional partners to support life sciences companies not just locally, but from across the province and country.This conversation highlights why Hamilton has emerged as a hub for life sciences innovation in Canada, and how entrepreneurs anywhere in Ontario can access Innovation Factory's growing suite of resources - remotely or in person.