The Life Sciences Fellowship

Level up your digital health or life sciences venture with funding, R&D infrastructure and professional development support.

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Start date

Fall/Winter 2023

Grants/Funding

up to $200,000

Duration

up to 2 years

Time commitment

Full time

Location

Alberta

About the program

Do you have a technology-driven solution to a compelling and unmet need in digital health or life sciences? If you need a boost to launch your solution to market, this fellowship may be for you.

Supported by Alberta Innovates; Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development; Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Prairies Economic Development Canada, the Life Sciences Fellowship program takes early-stage startups with technology-driven solutions to important problems and adds funding, technology development resources, professional development training and expert support.

The funding is a game-changer, but the program is so much more than that: funding will keep you going, but the support system will help you grow. Here are the key offerings:

Up to $200,000 in grant funding
Including salary support for one founder
Individualized expert support
Targeted cohort-based professional development training and community events
Paid membership to the Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Eligibility

Founder Eligibility

The founder must be legally able to work in Canada
The founder is committed, as a full-time founding executive of the Startup and owns at least 25% or a simple majority (whichever is greater) of the shares outstanding in the venture
The founder has advanced knowledge and deep technical expertise in a life science-related field and is looking to build entrepreneurial skills by driving the business development of the startup

Startup Eligibility

The startup aims to deliver a technology-driven product or service to solve an unmet need in digital health or life sciences
The startup has a tangible and timely plan to bring a commercially viable product or service to market
The startup recently incorporated in Alberta or nationally
Startups do not need to be affiliated with the University of Calgary, but the founder must reside in Calgary during the fellowship and maintain a company presence at the Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Program Expectations

With guidance from Innovate Calgary coaches and expert advisors, companies work to strategize and refine company objectives; maximize and grow precious resources of time, money and expertise; develop and execute plans to raise further capital and expand their intellectual property assets to grow and scale their business.
Life sciences fellowship companies are accountable to milestones set in collaboration with their coaches. A full-time commitment to startup activities is required to keep pace with program expectations and start-up milestones.

How to apply

Recruitment

Applicants fill out an online application by September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm.

Selection

Innovate Calgary conducts application review and initial due diligence
Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch to an external review panel
Final Due Diligence and Applicant Selection
Offers sent to successful applicants

Onboarding

Founders complete agreements and start the program