Thank you for Join us for the
Synapse Competition Showcase!
March 25th, 2026
Welcome to the 13th annual Synapse Life Science Competition Pitch Showcase!
Thank you for joining us at the 13th annual Synapse Life Science Competition Pitch Showcase!
The Innovation Factory’s Synapse Competition is Ontario’s premier life science pitch competition. Designed to help move innovative life science products and services out of the lab and into the market, the competition pairs innovators with business and entrepreneurship students, and provides the training, mentorship, and resources to be successful.
Every year, we welcome 200+ attendees from the Hamilton-Halton life science community to help us celebrate up-and-coming innovators as they pitch and compete for cash and prizes!
Get your tickets now!
Get your tickets below to attend Innovation Factory’s Synapse Competition happening on March 25th, 2026!
Special thanks to our Title Partner
Deloitte offers a comprehensive range of services designed to help innovators and founders thrive. From SR&ED tax credits and grants to strategic advisory, tax, and financial services, Deloitte supports businesses at every stage of their growth. Deloitte’s deep expertise in helping founders navigate complex challenges ensures they can focus on developing cutting-edge solutions while the team handles the intricacies of funding, compliance, and scaling.
Stay tuned!
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Meet our Judges
Final Panel to be Announced – Stay Tuned!
Mark McQueen
Deloitte
Mark is a Director in Deloitte’s Global Investment and Innovation Incentives service line. For more than 15 years, Mark has worked with Canada’s most innovative companies, helping them access R&D tax credits and government funding and achieve their growth and innovation targets. His focus is the Life Sciences and Health Care industry where he works with clients ranging from early-stage entrepreneurs to multinational pharmaceutical companies.
Mark holds a BSc(Eng) Chemical and MSc(Eng) Mining from Queen’s University. Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark worked at a startup developing reactor technology for the medical and environmental markets and later moved into a manufacturing management role.
Outside of work Mark, enjoys backcountry canoe trips, adventure running and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Dr. Elizabeth Gray
Ontario Genomics
Dr. Elizabeth Gray joined Ontario Genomics in 2023, where she is Head of Health, driving the development and execution of the health strategy for the organization. She also leads a funding initiative supporting SMEs in health, cleantech, and agri‑food to commercialize genomics and engineering biology innovations for Canadian and global markets.
Elizabeth brings over 15 years of commercialization leadership experience across public and private sectors. Previously, Elizabeth was a Vice President at DRI Capital and held senior roles at Eli Lilly Canada, including Medical Director, Neuroscience, where she built teams and led product launches from regulatory submission through to post‑launch. She also worked at CCRM and CAMH, evaluating early‑stage technologies, managing patent portfolios, and executing licensing deals with corporate partners.
Elizabeth holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto and an MSc in Plant Science from McGill University, with research focused on cellular signaling and the discovery of a novel bacteriocin.
Isabelle Harris
Lumira Ventures
Isabelle Harris joined Lumira Ventures in 2024 as an Analyst and focuses on investment due diligence across medical device and therapeutic opportunities, market research, quarterly reporting and financial modelling. Prior to joining Lumira, Isabelle was a Strategy Consultant at Roland Berger, where she advised clients on investment opportunities and growth strategy across diverse industries. She holds dual degrees in Genetics and Business Administration from Western University and the Ivey Business School, reflecting her combined passion for science, strategy, and innovation.
Title Partner
Innovation Partners
Presenting Partners
Collaboration Partners
Event Partners
Funding Partners
