Ontario Supports Women’s Health Innovation with Investment in wHealth Ignite Program

On July 10, 2026, the Government of Ontario announced a significant investment in women’s health and entrepreneurship through the wHealth Ignite program, managed by Innovation Factory (IF) and Femtech Canada. This initiative aims to support the burgeoning femtech sector, which focuses on women's health and is poised to contribute an estimated $27 billion to Canada’s GDP by 2040. The funding comes from the Ontario Women’s Economic Leadership and Legacy (WELL) Fund, which aims to address the barriers women face in high-growth sectors like health technology.

Michael Parsa, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, emphasized the importance of the WELL Fund, announcing an investment of up to $5.5 million to foster opportunities for women and gender diverse individuals. Parsa stated that the program will focus on enhancing the retention, promotion, and leadership of women in the women's health innovation sector, thereby driving economic growth.

wHealth Ignite will support ten Ontario-based founders in its inaugural cohort starting this summer. The program offers a range of resources, including:

1. Expert Consulting: Participants will have access to consultants who specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, intellectual property, clinical validation, and commercialization.

2. Investor Feedback: The program will provide milestone reviews from a panel of investors to help refine business strategies.

3. National Exposure: Innovations will be showcased at key industry events, including the Kickoff Event and the Femtech Canada Forum, scheduled for November 2026 in Toronto.

4. Strategic Capital: Founders can receive expert advice on investments and an opportunity to secure up to $100,000 in equity investment from Spring.

5. Technology Access: Participants will benefit from streamlined onboarding to the Google for Startups Cloud Program, which offers credits and mentorship to support startups in leveraging Google Cloud AI.

David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory, expressed gratitude for the WELL Fund investment, pointing out that women's health has long been undervalued in medical research and tech start-ups. He noted that the funding would provide femtech founders with essential tools to bring their solutions to market and stimulate economic growth in Ontario.

Caroline von Hirschberg, Co-CEO of Spring, highlighted that only 7% of health research funding goes specifically to women’s health. She emphasized that the femtech sector represents an exciting opportunity, attracting entrepreneurs and the need for more investors to engage with this overlooked market.

Kathryn Van Nuys, Director of Google Cloud's Global Venture Capital and Startup Investor Ecosystem, emphasized the partnership as a means to put resources in the hands of startups, enhancing innovation capabilities through mentoring and market support from Google.

Eric Morse, the Executive Director of the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, noted that entrepreneurship is key to driving change and innovation in women's health, and he expressed excitement about providing founders with the necessary tools and resources.

About Femtech Canada: The organization is committed to advancing women’s health technology by connecting businesses with vital resources and fostering an inclusive environment for development.

About Innovation Factory: As a not-for-profit business accelerator, IF has been instrumental in boosting the economy in the Brant, Halton, Hamilton, and Norfolk regions since 2010 by providing training, mentorship, and strategic connections for startups.

About Spring: Recognized for supporting impactful innovations, Spring aids founders in addressing societal challenges while engaging investors in meaningful opportunities to drive economic and social change.

This collective initiative demonstrates a significant commitment to empowering women in entrepreneurship and enhancing innovation in the femtech sector.