Today, Hacking Health, BDC Capital, Real Ventures, and MaRS announced a partnership to launch the Hacking Health Accelerator, a digital health innovation platform that will focus on developing and investing in healthcare technologies.
“We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to possibilities in this area.”
– Luc Sirois, Hacking Health
Over the next 18 months, the accelerator will support the growth of a dozen new startups and provide up to $200,000 in capital. Mentorship, support, and access to clinical market trials to accelerate the path to commercialization will also be provided to startups. Hacking Health says its accelerator will extend MaRS’ resources, services and toolkits, and combine them with Hacking Health’s grassroots outreach, networks, and expertise.
“When thinking of digital health, we are talking about all the mobile and web apps, software and systems targeted at healthcare professionals and their institutions, but also at patients and consumers who aspire to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” said Luc Sirois, co-founder of Hacking Health and managing director of the accelerator. “We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to possibilities in this area.”
The program will also involve networks and investors including Anges Québec, Cossette, Agile MV, Fasken Martineau, GCI Canada, MMA Group and several angel investors. Hacking Health also offers a five-week, pre-acceleration program to educate startups on healthcare entrepreneurship best practices.
“Our hospitals, health centres, research centres and universities are incredible incubators of innovation to meet this demand and create great success, but financing, marketing and the creation of healthy companies remains a challenge,” said Alan MacIntosh, managing partner of Real Ventures. “The Hacking Health Accelerator wants to change that.”
Startups are invited to apply here.