HEALTHI Program Extended to Support Its Sixth Cohort of Health Innovation Projects

by Innovation Factory
June 11, 2026

HEALTHI Program Renewed to Accelerate Healthcare Innovations

On June 11, 2026, Innovation Factory announced the renewal of the HEALTHI program, which focuses on aiding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the life sciences and health-tech sectors. This program, now accepting applications for its sixth cohort, is designed to help these SMEs navigate the path to market by connecting them with clinical trial expertise and resources in major research hospitals.

HEALTHI operates in collaboration with the Synapse Life Science Consortium and receives funding from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), underscoring the program's commitment to supporting innovative Canadian startups.

David Carter, the CEO of Innovation Factory, emphasized the program's critical role in providing SMEs with the necessary support during a pivotal stage of their development. Since its launch in 2021, HEALTHI has notably accelerated the market journey for numerous healthcare innovators, helping generate over $8 million in additional funding aimed at commercialization.

In its next phase, HEALTHI plans to support 16 new projects over the upcoming year. It aims to leverage the collective resources of its partners to help these SMEs innovate and thrive in the competitive healthcare landscape.

The application process for the HEALTHI program is currently open until March 31, 2027. Interested health technology companies can apply online or reach out to Innovation Factory for further details.

About Innovation Factory

Established in 2010, Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator that serves the Brant, Halton, Hamilton, and Norfolk regions. Its mission is to stimulate regional economic growth by accelerating the journey of startups and SMEs. By offering various services—including business support, training, mentorship, and strategic connections—Innovation Factory aids innovators in achieving market adoption and improving their commercial success.

The accelerator also provides access to sector-specific resources, including dedicated testing environments for smart transportation and a structured ecosystem for life sciences and health innovations, fostering collaboration and resource sharing among various stakeholders.

Original Article on Innovation Factory

Innovation Factory

Innovation Factory is a business accelerator, dedicated to helping Ontario-based businesses launch, scale, and succeed. Supporting the Brant, Halton, Hamilton and Norfolk regions, we provide start-ups, and scaling companies with advisory services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to help bring disruptive technologies to market, leverage intellectual property, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs. Innovation can happen anywhere, our goal is to make it work everywhere. We work to elevate key industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean tech, information technology, smart transportation, life sciences & health care and social innovations. We are passionate about driving the growth of Ontario businesses like yours. Whether you are an entrepreneur bringing new ideas to market or a scaling business trying to get to the next level, we want to help.