The Biomedical Zone (BMZ), a healthtech incubator produced in partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael’s Hospital, has partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart for its third annual HealthBound startup competition.
The competition gathers health institutions, startups, and clinicians to develop solutions around healthcare challenges. This year’s event will focus on finding technology-driven solutions for mental health and addiction issues. The winning teams will receive a total of $50,000, as well as residency in the Biomedical Zone incubator in Toronto.
Applications for startups to participate in HealthBound closes on December 13.
“This is a timely and important challenge,” said Linda Maxwell, BMZ executive director. “[It provides] the healthcare community, patients, and caregivers with fresh new ideas, and startups with the opportunity to collaborate with leading healthcare organizations to affect real change.”
Applications for startups to participate in HealthBound closes on December 13. The finalists will then pitch to a panel of industry experts on February 13, 2020.
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“Access to mental health resources and solutions for Canadians living with mental illness is one of the biggest challenges facing our patients, our friends and our colleagues across the country,” said Shoppers Drug Mart senior vice-president, health and wellness, Theresa Firestone.
Previous HealthBound challenges included themes such as addressing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient experience in outpatient settings. Last year’s HealthBound winner, Verto, created a technology that optimizes patient flow and automates administrative tasks, and has now been deployed within several Canadian hospitals.
The hospital-based healthtech incubator has hosted 37 companies, claiming support in the creation of more than 100 startup jobs to date.
Feature image courtesy Pixabay.