The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) understands the critical hurdles early-stage Canadian innovators (including researchers, point-of-care staff, and companies) face when designing solutions for older persons.
Early-stage innovators have limited access to funding, face high development costs, and encounter challenges with validating their solutions in real-world settings. These challenges can stall innovation progress and prevent promising ideas from achieving real-world impact.
The Ignite program is designed to target these challenges by offering early-stage Canadian innovators a range of $50,000 to $150,000 CAD in funding and additional supports to help develop, test, and validate their solutions.
Key Benefits
Access non-dilutive funding in the range of $50,000 to $150,000 CAD
If selected, the funding will be administered throughout the project in alignment with the completion of mutually agreed-upon milestones.
Funds can be used towards a range of activities including:
Technological research and development activities
Concept and prototype development
Testing and simulation activities
Validation trials
In addition to funding, successful applicants will gain access to CABHI’s Acceleration Services:
Acceleration Services to help develop, test, and validate solutions
Acceleration Services include learning and networking opportunities through the Ignite Learning Series, which features subject matter experts from various industries.
Join our Community of Innovation
The program will conclude with a “Final Pitch” at CABHI’s Innovation Showcase, where select program participants will pitch to a panel of judges; the winner(s) will be given the opportunity to access continued funding through a subsequent CABHI program.
Important Dates
Applications Open
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Applications Close
Monday, December 2, 2024
Finalist Notifications
Monday, December 23, 2024
Finalist Due Diligence Interviews
Monday, January 6 – Friday, January 17, 2025
Announcement of Results
Monday, January 27, 2025
Applicant Eligibility
For Companies/Ventures:
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The company/venture must be incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
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The company/venture must have a valuation and/or valuation cap of less than $4 million CAD at the time of application.
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The lead applicant must have signing authority for the company/venture (generally the founder and/or CEO).
For Healthcare/Research Organizations:
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The applicant must be affiliated with an accredited Canadian academic institution (e.g., university, college) or a recognized research or healthcare organization (e.g., hospital, research institute).
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The applicant must hold a position as a faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, point-of-care worker (e.g., physician, nurse, PSW, clinical manager), or research scientist at the affiliated institution or organization.
