Start date
TBD
The Life Sciences Fellowship
Level up your digital health or life sciences venture with funding, R&D infrastructure and professional development support.
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 Innovation, Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and Western Economic Diversification (PrairiesCan), 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
Eligibility
Fellow Eligibility
- The fellow must be legally able to work in Canada
- The fellow 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 fellow 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 fellow must reside in Alberta 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.
- In addition to all the opportunities and resources provided by the program-funded membership to the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, fellows engage in regular and targeted professional development training and community events.
How to apply
Recruitment
- Applicants fill out an online application
Selection
- Innovate Calgary conducts initial due diligence and application review
- Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch to an external review panel
- Offers sent to successful applicants
Onboarding
- Final due diligence review
- Fellows complete initial agreements, make connections and start growing their startup
We are not accepting applicants to this program at this time.