MaRS is hostings its second RESI Conference, which will bring together fundraising CEOs and early-stage investors from around the globe in Toronto on April 4.
The conference is hosted in partnership with Life Science Nation (LSN) and JLABS, and includes 16 panels with investors from biotech, and device, diagnostic, and healthcare IT. Over 200 international investors are expected to come to Toronto to scout startups.
“Toronto’s life sciences sector is experiencing incredible momentum, and investors are eager to capitalize on that,” said Dennis Ford, CEO at LSN and creator of the RESI Conference Series. “The first RESI on MaRS was a phenomenal success, drawing US-based investors to Toronto, many for the first time, resulting in numerous valuable startup introductions. We expect this year’s event will exceed the strong benchmark that was established last year.”
Last year, MaRS said RESI resulted in more than 875 meetings between emerging Canadian tech companies and potential investors and partners.
A day after the conference, MaRS will host the Healthkick Innovation Challenge, a pitch competition for high-potential medtech companies. Fifteen companies will compete for three $20,000 cash prizes in a full-day exhibition. Companies will pitch to investors from the US in one of three categories: digital health, pharmaceutical and biotech, and medical devices. HealthKick will also feature talks by leading health venture executives, including a keynote featuring Yale University managing director Jon Soderstrom and Innovative Medicines Canada president Elaine Campbell on scaling Toronto’s life sciences sector.
RESI is the flagship event of Toronto’s Health Innovation Week. Taking place April 3 to 7, the goal is to bring the global health innovation community together to secure investments, create partnerships and network with leaders in the sector. Minister of Health Eric Hoskins will speak at the opening event.
To register for the RESI conference, check it out here.