Omar Lalani
Entrepreneur and MEEI Graduate

MEEI Enterprise Development Project:
Navi C

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship.

Omar Lalani never really wanted to be an engineer.

But there’s one thing he’s always known – being chained to a desk from nine to five, away from his family most of the time in a dreary office setting – was not for him. It’s not that Omar can’t commit himself. He’s actually a focused individual who marches to the beat of his own drum. And that’s why the Master of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI) program at McMaster University appealed to him.

“Right away, as soon as I found the program information, I thought, ‘I’ll do ii!’” says Omar. “It seemed the most practical way to [use] my undergrad education, and I always had the life-long intention of simply working for myself.” But for Omar, the benefits of the program far exceeded anything he’d been expecting.

A self-professed filmmaker, Omar was living and working in California when he made the decision to return to school. “I absolutely didn’t want an MBA…and I wasn’t going where I wanted” he explains, adding that since it seemed obvious he should pursue something entrepreneurial, he jumped at the chance to enroll. It didn’t hurt that he has a great understanding of mathematics and an appreciation for technology – characteristics that lend themselves to careers in engineering.

Students and faculty agree mentorship is imperative to student success during and after the program. Working alongside experienced and respected professionals, Omar was able to learn while he worked with input, support, and knowledge at his fingertips. It was like having some of the world’s most qualified consultants and scholars to guide him away from the pitfalls and toward a successful outcome.

The range of experiences doesn’t end there. As a student, Omar has flown across the globe to build his business thanks to the support of the MEEI program. Specializing in medical device technology, he was sent to Switzerland, the United States, and Vancouver to pitch his ideas and meet with potential investors. The time and energy he invested was certainly worthwhile – it appears his project has sparked great interest.

“All these people [in the program] available to you who understand, who have worked in world-class institutions…the quality of experiences … it’s like a rocket boost for your business.”